Nick Viall Claims Tom Sandoval Showed "Endearing" Photos of Raquel Leviss to Special Forces Cast

Nick Viall claimed that his Special Forces costar Tom Sandoval "snuck in" sentimental snapshots of Raquel Leviss on the Fox reality show following the Vanderpump Rules stars' affair.

By Brett Malec Aug 04, 2023 4:26 PMTags
Watch: See Tom Sandoval's Style Change as He Films VPR Season 11

Nick Viall is SUR-ving up some piping hot tea on Tom Sandoval.

In fact, The Bachelor alum recently suggested that the Vanderpump Rules star, with whom he appears on season two of Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, still has feelings for Raquel Leviss following their scandalous affair and went as far as to showcase his affection while filming the Fox reality show.

"He snuck in pictures of him and Rachel and he showed them to the cast, for what's that worth," Viall said of the TomTom co-owner on the Aug. 3 episode of his The Viall Files podcast. "You weren't allowed to sneak things in. I would have loved to sneak in a picture of [my fiancée] Natalie [Joy] and I. I guess I could have tried but I just didn't."

The 40-year-old also claimed Sandoval boasted about Leviss to the rest of the cast.

"He went out of his way to bring in, like, endearing photos of him and Raquel/Rachel and show them around," Viall continued. "He came across as a guy who cared about her, and I'm just saying that objectively."

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Vanderpump Rules: Everything That's Happened Since Season 10

And, according to the Bachelor Nation member, Sandoval's fellow celebrity contestants encouraged him to continue pursuing the former beauty queen following his breakup from Ariana Madix.

"Honestly, the conversations with the cast were kinda like, ‘Well, f--k, you might as well go for it.'" Viall shared following the Scandoval backlash. "There seemed to be some real reluctance about would the public would allow them to be together."

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Although Sandoval and Leviss haven't shared where their relationship currently stands five months after the cheating controversy came to light, Viall noted, "Not too long ago he seemed emotionally invested in Rachel in an environment where he wasn't incentivized to portray that narrative."

While Sandoval was filming Special Forces in between VPR's 10th and 11th seasons this spring, Leviss spent two months at a mental health facility in Arizona receiving treatment. It's unclear if she'll appear on the Bravo series' upcoming season.

Keep reading for everything we know (so far) about Vanderpump Rules season 11.

Season 11 Filming Begins

Filming for Vanderpump Rules season 11 began in late June just weeks after the explosive three-part season 10 finale finished airing. Ariana Madix was even spotted letting loose while shooting at her ex's restaurant TomTom.

"Dj James Kennedy is playin' a set at tomtom," TikTok user audpen wrote June 30 with a video of Madix dancing inside the West Hollywood eatery. "Ariana is as gorgeous as ever living her best life, and the whole crowd chants for her. The world is good." 

Something About Ariana Madix & Katie Maloney's New Business

Season 11 will surely highlight the opening of Madix and Katie Maloney's new West Hollywood sandwich shop Something About Her, which is supposed to open this summer amid filming. The BFFs have shared plenty of sneak peeks inside their latest business venture on social media.

Tom Sandoval & Ariana Madix Reunite

Four months after filming their shocking season 10 reunion showdown, the exes were spotted filming together on July 11 at SUR's weekly See You Next Tuesday event with several of their costars. 

Bravo fans will have to wait and see as to whether Madix and Sandoval actually interacted during the outing.

Raquel Leviss Not Returning

After checking out of a mental health facility in Wickenburg, Arizona in July, Rachel "Raquel" Leviss confirmed in August she is not returning for season 11. In fact, she stated that she won't be coming back to reality TV at all. 

"Oh, hell no," Raquel told Bethenny Frankel. "No because I refuse to not respect myself on that level where I would endure that emotional abuse any longer."

The Cast Trip to Lake Tahoe

On July 18, Scheana Shay and husband Brock Davies, James Kennedy and girlfriend Ally Lewber, Tom Schwartz, Sandoval and Lala Kent jetted off to Lake Tahoe for a summer getaway, marking the cast's first post-Scandoval vacation.

Shay and Kent shared Instagram Stories from their luxury lakeside rental. As for where they stand with Sandoval…

Scheana Shay Has Not Forgiven Tom

Although Shay and Sandoval were photographed posing with a fan alongside their costars in Tahoe, the "Good as Gold" singer clarified she has not totally forgiven the TomTom co-owner for his affair.

Retweeting a video of Sandoval from her Instagram, Shay wrote July 19, "Who said all is forgiven?? We are all here for Lisa."

She added in response to another social media user questioning if they were friends again, "I'm posing in a photo for a fan. I take photos w strangers on the daily and have my arm bent up behind ppl. End of story. Should I look miserable in a group fan photo I got thrown in walking to our car?"

Lisa Vanderpump's New Tahoe Club to Be Featured

While in town, the cast checked out Vanderpump's new club Wolf at Harrah's, meaning fans will definitely get a look at the restauranteur's new Tahoe business venture next season.

In videos shared to social media, Shay, Davies, Kent, Sandoval, Schwartz, Kennedy and Lewber even helped knock down walls inside the venue during renovations.

James Kennedy Reunites With His & Raquel Leviss' Dog

Several weeks after Leviss finished her stay at a treatment facility, Kennedy announced their dog Graham, who they rescued in 2018 while still dating, was back in his custody.

"Look who made his way back home, back into my life," the DJ wrote in a July 19 Instagram along with two adorable photos. "I'll take care of you forever and I love you."

Ariana Madix's Dancing Debut

As it was announced in early July that Madix is officially joining season 32 of Dancing With the Stars, we can only hope we'll get a behind-the-scenes look at her ballroom prep.

Ariana Madix Makes Her Love Island USA Debut

While the cast was filming their Tahoe trip, Madix flew to Fiji to make a special appearance on her favorite show Love Island USA.

Sandwich Celebrations

On Aug. 6, the whole cast (minus Sandoval) was pictured enjoying a tasting at Something About Her ahead of the shop's opening.

Ariana Madix & Tom Sandoval Pictured Together All Smiles

While they made sure to keep their distance from one another, Madix and Sandoval were photographed together for the first time since the explosive season 10 reunion.

The exes reunited for an Aug. 8 water tasting with the rest of their season 11 castmates.

Tom Schwart'z New Look

Schwartz debuted bleach-blond hair in August.

San Francisco Cast Trip

Season 11 culminates with a group vacation in San Francisco. Madix, Sandoval, Schwartz, Maloney, Kent, Shay, Kennedy and Lewber were all in attendance according to their Instagram Stories touring the Golden Gate bridge and other landmarks.

Daniel Wai's Debut

Madix's man joined the cast on their season 11 trip to San Francisco and it seems he's set to make his debut on the show.

Coordinating Couple

Madix and Wait coordinated for a night out in SF.

That's a Wrap

On Aug. 3, Kennedy announced "that's a wrap" on season 11 with a cute pic with Lewber in San Francisco.

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