Raquel Leviss Breaks Silence On Being ‘Ultimate Villian’ In Scandoval & ‘Vanderpump Rules’

Raquel Leviss is speaking out in her first interview since the “Vanderpump Rules” reunion. On Wednesday, the Bravo star joined Bethenny Frankel’s podcast “Just B with Bethenny Frankel” and opened up about why she sought treatment in a mental health facility after news broke that she was having an affair with her reality tv co-star Tom Sandoval, who was dating Ariana Madix at the time. “My goal was to really get down to the bottom of, ‘OK, why am I choosing men that are unavailable? Why do I keep finding myself in unhealthy relationships? What are the things that I need to change about my behavior?’ And in knowing that I needed to make a change, I first had to know what leads to those behaviors,” she told the host. During the candid conversation, the 28-year-old said she understands why she received backlash. “As a viewer tuning in, it’s easy to get wrapped up in that. Then the concept of an affair hits really hard to a lot of people,” she said. “So I think there was a lot of projection happening, a lot of emotions that came up for people, and unfortunately, I was the punching bag for a lot of that.” She went on to seemingly admit that she was not doing well after splitting from her fiancé and fellow castmate, James Kennedy. “I do want to take a moment though to just acknowledge the hurt that I brought to a lot of people. I was not careful in my actions and I was not thinking long-term. I was completely wrapped up in heartbreak and wanting to get certain needs met,” she added. “Looking back now, I can see that I was still healing from a relationship from someone I thought I was going to marry and in ending that, I still haven’t healed yet.” She also reflected on her relationship with Ariana and where they stand now. “I don’t expect her to forgive me. I am remorseful. I do recognize that I’ve caused her a lot of pain,” she said. Raquel then shared why she plans to return to her legal name of Rachel. Bethenny teased that another part of their conversation may be coming soon as she posted a video on her Instagram on Wednesday where the “RHONY” alum got emotional.