New details have surfaced from Raquel Leviss’ negotiations for her return to Vanderpump Rules next season.
Last season she found herself at the center of ‘Scandoval’ – the explosive controversy in which her co-stars Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval rancorously broke up after nine years because of his affair with Raquel.
Raquel was subjected to a deluge of backlash so fierce that she retreated to a mental health facility for two months.
Claims have been circulating that Raquel is ‘playing hardball’ to extract higher pay from Bravo for her future work on Vanderpump Rules.
However, TMZ, has uncovered a stumbling block in her path – she is contractually obligated to return to the show, which Bravo could compel her to do at her old rate.
Stepping out: New details have surfaced from Raquel Leviss ‘ negotiations to come back for the next season of Vanderpump Rules
Uh oh: TMZ has uncovered a stumbling block in her path – she is contractually obligated to return to the show, which Bravo could compel her to do at her old rate
Her ace in the hole is her stint in the facility, as she might be able to get out of the show if a doctor confirms the work would be deleterious to her mental health.
A representative for Raquel remarked that she ‘has been under contract’ and at the moment ‘is just renegotiating possible terms.’
Earlier this week it emerged Raquel has returned to using her birth name Rachel after time in therapy during her stay at the mental health facility.
The star, 28, checked into the facility in April amid the fallout from her affair with Tom Sandoval, 41, who was in a nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix, 38, at the time. Both Sandoval and Madix have since returned to film season 11, but Leviss has been absent.
Sources told TMZ the star has been out of the Arizona facility for a week and has been staying at a friend’s house due to being ‘uneasy’ about venturing out – and has racked up a $200,000 bill for her care.
The star, who is said to be a ‘totally different person,’ reportedly had an ‘epiphany’ in therapy and decided to revert to her birth name after trolls ‘weaponized’ it in the wake of Scandoval.
Sources told the publication the star’s had come to realize with the help of therapists, that by ‘taking the name back and embracing it, she neutralized the people who used it as a weapon.
Leviss had been called by Raquel by loved ones since an early age
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Raquel and Bravo for comment.
Taking power back: Earlier this week it emerged Raquel has returned to using her birth name Rachel after time in therapy during her stay at the mental health facility
Scandoval: Leviss, 28, checked into the mental health facility in April amid the fallout from her affair with Tom Sandoval, 41, who was in a nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix, 38, at the time (pictured together)
This comes after claims emerged Leviss’ representatives are ‘talking’ to network Bravo, with source saying the beauty’s mental health is at the forefront of any possible return.
However, it has also been claimed Raquel is ‘playing hardball’ with Bravo in a bid to get as much cash as possible for her return.
An insider told Page Six: ‘She wants to get as much money as she possibly can.’
They added that the expectation is that by the time the cast go on their trip to Lake Tahoe next week, Leviss and Bravo will have ‘reached a deal and she will appear.
The source added: ‘But for the right price, she will be there.’
She made her last public appearance during the explosive three-part show reunion which saw her publicly lambasted by Madix and her castmates.
Possible return: The upcoming season began shooting last month in June, with all cast members signed on to return, aside from Raquel
Show matriarch Lisa Vanderpump, 62, also revealed to Extra that she was eagerly anticipating the start of the new season – with ‘another situation’ unfolding.
On Wednesday, the show scored a groundbreaking two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program and Outstanding Picture Editing For An Unstructured Reality Program.
Lisa said of the nominations: ‘Overwhelmed. So excited. But you know, to get a nomination, two nominations — one for editing as well — it’s been such a long time coming… in the 10th season. So, I’m so grateful.
Discussing season 11, she added: ‘It is a bit of a beast — you’re right. In fact, we’re right in the middle of another situation right now,” Lisa teased before going any further.
‘I’m not gonna share that… I’m not giving up anything.’
She also voiced her distaste for ‘how hard’ fans had come for Tom Sandoval online and said she thought it was ‘too much.’
The upcoming season began shooting last month in June, with all cast members signed on to return.
‘Raquel is going to be checking out of the mental health facility within the next 10-15 days,’ a source told Us Weekly late last month in June.
However, the insider emphasized that Leviss ‘could choose to stay longer’ and that producers on Vanderpump Rules ‘have remained committed to supporting Raquel’s treatment.’
Awkward: Vanderpump Rules exes Tom and Ariana awkwardly reunited to film season 11 of the hit show in West Hollywood on Tuesday – for the first time since the explosive reunion show
She notably checked herself into the facility shortly after Tom’s ex, Ariana Madix, discovered intimate FaceTime videos on his phone in March between Sandoval and Leviss, which prompted Madix’s split with Tom after nine years of dating.
The cheating scandal has notably been labeled as Scandoval and played out at the end of season 10, with the cast coming together for a very heated, three part reunion afterwards.
On whether if it is likely that Raquel will definitely return to the show, the source told Us Weekly, ‘Nothing has been decided yet and it’s all still up in the air.’
‘Both sides are hoping they can work something out so that Raquel gets the treatment she needs, and she’s still able to be included in the show.’
Sandoval confirmed to photographers on Friday that he has been busy back on set of the reality series, despite the past drama that recently played out. ‘I’m filming right now,’ he stated.
Tom then teased that the upcoming season is, ‘gonna be interesting no matter what. It always is.’ When asked if he has been in communication with Raquel, he responded with, ‘I can’t comment on that.’
He also briefly discussed his friendship with business partner, Tom Schwartz, which became rocky during Scandoval. The star revealed that they were ‘cool’ and added, ‘I just saw him today.’
According to The U.S. Sun, both Sandoval and Schwartz were seen filming on Thursday at a bar and appeared to be holding a serious conversation with each other.
Tom has also been busy filming a second project and recently spent time in New Zealand shooting the second season of the competition series titled, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
Sandoval’s ex, Ariana Madix, also revealed on Friday that she will be joining a competition series of her own.
She excitedly announced that she will appear on the 32nd season of Dancing With The Stars, and made the big reveal alongside DWTS judge and pro dancer, Derek Hough on Good Morning America.
‘This season on Dancing With The Stars, we are going absolutely mad…mad for Madix,’ he expressed. ‘Say goodbye to the drama and hello to the dance floor!’
The beauty could be seen happily standing next to him and added, ‘That’s right, I’m Ariana Madix, and I will be joining the cast of Dancing With The Stars this season!’
Both stars later appeared in a humorous skit shared on Instagram in a joint post as they further celebrated the news. In the comment section, Madix penned, ‘i’m beyond grateful, excited, and nervous all rolled into one! absolutely thrilled!’
Since her split from Tom, Ariana has also moved on with the fitness instructor Daniel Wai, and the two were first linked at the Coachella Music Festival in April. The two were also spotted spending time together over the Fourth of July holiday.
The show’s most recent season has been recognized with its first Emmy nominations. The show will do battle with Indian Matchmaking, RuPaul’s Drag Race: Untucked, Selling Sunset and Welcome To Wrexham in the Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program category.
