How Reality TV Gets Scripted: Lessons from Vanderpump Rules

Unpack the Vanderpump Rules affair scandals from 2023-2025, including Scandoval and Brock Davies’ cheating. Why they matter and what’s next. Read now!

Introduction

Vanderpump Rules thrives on messy drama, and the 2023-2025 affair scandals took it to new heights. The biggest? Scandoval—Tom Sandoval’s seven-month affair with Raquel Leviss behind Ariana Madix’s back, shattering a nine-year relationship. Then, in 2025, Scheana Shay’s memoir My Good Side dropped another bomb: Brock Davies cheated on her in 2020 while she was pregnant. 

These scandals, covered by outlets like People and The New York Times, gripped fans and sparked X posts buzzing with reactions (July 2025). Why care? They expose the raw, human cost of reality TV drama—betrayal, public fallout, and fractured friendships. Plus, they show how shows like Vanderpump Rules fuel entertainment journalism. Let’s break down the chaos, why it matters, and what journalists and fans learned from it.

The Scandoval Explosion: What Happened and Why It Mattered

In March 2023, Vanderpump Rules fans were floored when TMZ reported Tom Sandoval’s affair with Raquel Leviss, ending his relationship with Ariana Madix. The affair, dubbed “Scandoval,” lasted seven months, with Madix finding out via a sexually explicit video on Sandoval’s phone (People, June 27, 2025). Why does this matter? It wasn’t just a breakup; it was a betrayal that played out on Bravo’s cameras, boosting ratings and earning an Emmy nomination (Entertainment Tonight, March 1, 2024).

How did it unfold? Bravo resumed filming to capture the fallout, airing a raw season 10 finale where Madix confronted Sandoval, calling his actions “disgusting” (The Independent, May 24, 2023). Common mistake? Castmates like Tom Schwartz knew but stayed silent, damaging trust. The consequence? Madix became a fan favorite, landing Dancing with the Stars and Love Island USA gigs, while Sandoval faced backlash, even on The Traitors (Us Weekly, April 27, 2025). Journalists must verify such scandals carefully—rumors on X can mislead, costing credibility if wrong.

Brock Davies’ Cheating Revelation: Scheana’s Story

Scheana Shay’s 2025 memoir My Good Side revealed Brock Davies’ 2020 affair during her pregnancy with daughter Summer Moon (Glamour, July 10, 2025). Brock confessed in 2023, amid Scandoval’s chaos, admitting it was a “purely physical” fling with an old friend (E! News, July 11, 2025). Why does this matter? It shows the personal toll of public life—Scheana hid the pain to avoid stealing focus from Scandoval (Scheananigans podcast, July 4, 2025).

How was it handled? Scheana shared her story in her memoir, controlling the narrative. Lala Kent, on her Give Them Lala podcast (July 14, 2025), praised Scheana’s courage but knew about the affair earlier. Mistake to avoid? Judging too quickly—Lala noted Brock’s growth as a dad, urging fans not to vilify him (People, July 15, 2025). If fans or journalists rush to condemn, they risk missing the full story, like Brock’s remorse. X posts in July 2025 debated whether Scheana’s reveal was strategic, showing how fans shape narratives.

How Vanderpump Rules Scandals Fuel Entertainment Journalism

These scandals highlight the high-stakes world of entertainment journalism. Outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and The New York Times covered Scandoval’s fallout, from legal battles (Leviss’ lawsuit against Sandoval and Madix for distributing explicit videos) to cast exits (Vulture, May 25, 2023). Why does this matter? Journalists must balance speed with accuracy. For example, TMZ broke Scandoval but needed confirmation from People to avoid rumors.

How is it done? Reporters verify through sources close to production, like Entertainment Tonight’s insider on Sandoval’s refusal to film (March 7, 2023). Common mistake? Publishing unverified claims, like X posts alleging Leviss and Schwartz’s kiss was a cover for Scandoval (Vulture, May 25, 2023). Consequences? Outlets lose trust, as seen when DeuxMoi leaked Leviss’ PR strategy, later debunked. X trends in July 2025 show fans demanding transparency, pushing journalists to double-check facts.

The Ethical Minefield of Reporting Reality TV Scandals

Covering Vanderpump Rules scandals is tricky. Journalists face ethical dilemmas, like respecting privacy while reporting public drama. Leviss’ lawsuit alleged Madix shared explicit videos without consent, raising questions about revenge porn (Today, March 1, 2024). Why does this matter? Reporting on such claims requires sensitivity to avoid harm. The Los Angeles Times (May 24, 2023) noted the legal entanglements, balancing facts with restraint.

How is it done? Reporters cross-check with legal documents or cast statements, like Sandoval’s Instagram apology (March 8, 2023). Mistakes? Sensationalizing, as when Us Weekly (December 13, 2024) hyped James Kennedy’s domestic violence arrest without full context, later clarified by TMZ. Consequences? Missteps fuel fan backlash on X, where posts criticized outlets for rushing stories. Journalists must prioritize accuracy over clicks to maintain credibility.

The Impact of Fan Reactions and Social Media

Fans on X shaped Vanderpump Rules’ narrative, with #Scandoval trending in March 2023 (Time, May 17, 2023). Posts in July 2025 debated Scheana’s memoir reveal, with some calling it a publicity stunt (@nosmokenomore, July 10, 2025). Why does this matter? Social media amplifies drama, forcing cast and journalists to respond. Lisa Vanderpump’s Watch What Happens Live appearance (March 8, 2023) addressed fan outrage, showing their influence.

How do fans engage? They dissect episodes, like spotting Sandoval and Leviss’ “handsy” behavior (Today, March 1, 2024). Mistake? Taking X posts as fact—many speculated Schwartz knew more, later confirmed (The Manitoban, April 2, 2024). If journalists rely on unverified posts, they risk spreading falsehoods, as seen with Leviss’ dropped restraining order against Scheana (Wikipedia, April 17, 2025). Fan input drives coverage but demands caution.

The Future of Vanderpump Rules Post-Scandals

With season 12 announced for 2025 with a new cast, Vanderpump Rules is rebooting after Scandoval and other dramas (BravoTV, November 26, 2024). Why does this matter? The show’s survival hinges on fresh faces delivering the same messy appeal. Lisa Vanderpump stays, but OGs like Madix and Sandoval are out, per The New York Times (November 27, 2024). Fans on X worry about losing the original vibe (@satchelmaloney, July 10, 2025).

How will it work? Bravo’s banking on new SUR staff to bring drama, with a retrospective special planned (BravoTV, November 26, 2024). Mistake to avoid? Alienating fans with a jarring shift, like The Valley’s mixed reception (NBC Los Angeles, November 27, 2024). If the reboot flops, viewership could tank, as seen with past reality show missteps. The scandals proved the show’s draw—newbies must match that energy.

FAQs

What was Scandoval, and why did it blow up?

Scandoval was Tom Sandoval’s seven-month affair with Raquel Leviss, ending his nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix in March 2023 (People, June 27, 2025). It exploded because it betrayed trust among close castmates, captured on Bravo’s cameras. Fans on X made #Scandoval trend, boosting the show’s profile. Ignoring the emotional fallout risks missing why fans cared so much.

Why did Scheana Shay hide Brock’s cheating?

Scheana revealed in My Good Side that Brock cheated in 2020 but didn’t share it on Vanderpump Rules to avoid overshadowing Scandoval (Scheananigans, July 4, 2025). She feared judgment, per Lala Kent (Give Them Lala, July 14, 2025). Hiding it protected her narrative but risked fan backlash when revealed, as X posts showed (@nosmokenomore, July 10, 2025).

How do journalists verify Vanderpump Rules scandals?

Journalists use sources close to production, cast statements, or legal documents, like Entertainment Tonight’s insider on Scandoval (March 7, 2023). Mistakes, like DeuxMoi’s leaked PR strategy, hurt credibility (Vulture, May 25, 2023). Verification prevents spreading rumors, which can alienate fans, as seen in X reactions to sloppy reporting.

Why do fans stay hooked on Vanderpump Rules drama?

The show’s mix of relatable jobs and messy relationships keeps fans engaged, with 1.5 million average viewers per episode (BravoTV, December 12, 2023). Scandals like Scandoval amplify emotional stakes. Ignoring character arcs for just drama risks losing fans, as X posts in 2025 noted fears of a “stale” reboot.

What happens if Vanderpump Rules’ reboot fails?

A failed season 12 reboot, starting in 2025, could drop viewership, as seen with The Valley’s mixed reception (NBC Los Angeles, November 27, 2024). New cast members must match the OG’s drama, per Lisa Vanderpump (E! News, May 9, 2025). A flop risks ending the show’s run, alienating its 1.5 million fans.

Conclusion

The Vanderpump Rules scandals of 2023-2025—Scandoval and Brock Davies’ affair—show why the show’s drama captivates fans and challenges journalists. Scandoval’s betrayal and Scheana’s memoir reveal exposed raw emotions, boosting ratings but testing relationships. Journalists must verify facts carefully, as X posts and outlets like People and The New York Times shaped the narrative. With season 12’s reboot looming, the show’s future depends on new faces matching the OG chaos. Fans, share your thoughts—what’s next for Vanderpump Rules?