Even though former Vanderpump Rules star Rachel Leviss is no longer on the show, producers still showered her with love at this year’s BravoCon.
Executive producer Sheonna Mix spoke about her excitement for Rachel leading up to Season 10. Us Weekly has the details.
“Coming into this [past] season, we were very excited for her. She had been in a relationship pretty much her whole adult life with James [Kennedy]. We saw that relationship — I think you all saw it — it was not the most healthy relationship,” she said. “We were really excited for her to be herself. For her to spread her wings and be who she wanted to be, not be James’ girlfriend.”
At the end of Season 10, everything blew up in Rachel’s face when the world discovered she had been having a seven-month affair with Ariana Madix’s then-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval. After months of public scrutiny, Rachel shared her side of the story on Bethenny Frankel’s podcast. She revealed shocking truths, including allegations about VPR producers.
“I understand that those were the things that were articulated, but I will say that this team has loved her since she was a student traveling in [to film].” Despite her claims, Sheonna said she cares about her. “We still very much love her. I am not sure where some of that stuff came from, to be quite honest.”
And they wouldn’t change a thing
After the conclusion of last season, it was unclear whether Rachel would return to the series. Fans, producers, and cast members (excluding Ariana) hoped she would return for another go around. But ultimately, she bowed out — vowing never to return to reality TV.
“I do believe that she had more story to tell, as you guys all salivated over that last five minutes. Like, there’s more to that. And I think if she would have came back, it would have been more rewarding for her, and she would be able to look at herself better,” Sheonna said about her departure.
Rachel said on Bethenny’s podcast that TV producers tempt stars into returning by telling them they have to control their story.
“[With reality TV], they always dangle that carrot in front of you, like, ‘Well, you need to tell your side of the story; otherwise it’s gonna be written for you. And that’s terrifying. So, I almost went back … just because of that.”
In the end, Rachel decided not to return — claiming the network wouldn’t pay her the same as Tom and Ariana.
A second executive producer, Jeremiah Smith, said he has no regrets about how he treated Rachel throughout her run on the show.
“I feel very good and comfortable with how I treated and interacted with Raquel Rachel throughout the seasons she was on the show. No one was a bigger supporter or encourager of her during season 10 than I was,” he said. “We were celebrating her. So, for her to now be taking this stance is a little upsetting.”
TELL US — ARE YOU UPSET RACHEL ISN’T RETURNING FOR ANOTHER SEASON? DO YOU THINK SHE HAS MORE STORY TO TELL?
