Rachel Leviss Is Leaving Hollywood 19 Months After Scandoval — and She's Dating a Rocket Scientist (Exclusive)

A year and a half after Rachel Leviss came into the limelight following her relationship with her Vanderpump Rules Costar Tom Sandoval has been announced, the former reality star is leaving Hollywood and returning to a calmer reality — and one that includes a new man.

Leviss, who was known to audiences by her former moniker “Raquel,” announced the Thursday, Oct. 17 episode of the series Rachel goes rogue that he will be stepping away from the spotlight and his podcast.

Listeners may recall that Leviss first started the podcast in January 2024, using the weekly show as a way to give her perspective on the breakup between her and her ex. Vanderpump Rules costars on the trail of romance that will rock the Bravosphere.

Scandoval, as fans have dubbed it, ended a nine-year romance between Sandoval and his ex, Ariana Madix — who was also Leviss’ ex-girlfriend.

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Before long, it seemed like the whole world had turned against Leviss, calling her a home wrecker even as she ended her relationship with Sandoval. She spent 90 days in a mental health facility and decided not to return to it Vanderpump Rules‘ season eleven, instead of working through his pain on his podcast in regular conversations with psychology and self-help experts.

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Many of the conversations on Rachel goes rogue were focused on looking back, the star healing her emotional wounds by atoning for past mistakes and clearing up other misconceptions viewers had about her role in Scandoval. And while some on Vanderpump Rules The cast criticized her for constantly discussing the show—while, consequently cashing in on her story—Leviss persevered, hoping the lessons she learned through her experience would help others.

But now, Leviss says, it’s time to start looking forward.

“I decided to remove both legs from Vanderpump Rules universe and focus on myself and my healing,” Leviss, 30, said on the show, which aired Thursday, adding that she is “choosing a life that is completely aligned with my values ​​and the kind I want to show every day.”

Rachel Leviss, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix on ‘Vanderpump Rules.’

Nicole Weingart/Bravo

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Part of that life now includes time spent on new friendships she’s been able to form over the past year, which she said are built on a strong foundation of honesty and trust where emotions can be shared in a healthy and safe way.

“It was kind of scary just … starting over and making new friendships and really trying,” Leviss said. “But one thing I’ve found with it is that it’s like night and day when you have friends who want to hear how you feel and want to get to know you for you, and love you and accept you and won’t react in a way that diminishes you as a person. ”

“It’s very upsetting to me that that was my normal, those kinds of friendships and the way we would… communicate with each other. Because it’s not really healthy, but it was normal for me,” she added. “And not to put the blame on others, because I’m aware of who I am as a person and how I end up becoming more similar to the people I’m surrounded with. But now I know better how to choose people I really admire whose values ​​I want them to be more similar to.”

Rachel Leviss in December 2023.

Taylor Hill/WireImage

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There’s one more thing Leviss has going on in her life these days: a new relationship.

She said on the podcast, speaking to psychologist Dr Hillary Goldsher, that she is in a “very healthy” relationship, boasting that her beau – who she won’t name – is “very normal”.

“He’s such a supportive person and I feel very lucky,” said Leviss, who was previously engaged to her. Vanderpump Rules actress James Kennedy before meeting Sandoval.

“The reason I’ve decided to share it with you now, with the permission of my significant other, is because it’s a success story and there’s hope for people listening who are struggling with relationships and I really don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel yet,” she added. . “When you correct your course and choose a different lifestyle for yourself and prioritize different things in your life and … put all that energy back into you, then you’ll really start … attracting a different caliber of person.”

Rachel Leviss during a 2023 appearance on ‘Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen’.

Getty Images

A rep for Leviss did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on her man, but a source close to the star told PEOPLE that he is a rocket engineer.

“They met through mutual friends and just hit it off,” says the insider. “He’s an amazing guy. Really smart and kind and down-to-earth and, most importantly, not interested in social media. He’s not even on social media. So his priorities are really in the right place.”

As for what’s next for Leviss, a source says she will continue to split her time between Arizona, where she has a home, and Idaho, where her parents live. “She loves the health and wellness area, with therapy and learning, so that’s where she’s going to focus,” the insider says.

And admittedly Rachel goes rogue ends, the podcast will get a new title and a new host, another insider tells PEOPLE.

“The podcast will continue, but it will still be there Vanderpump content to discuss,” says the source. “Rachel won’t be a part of it, but there will be someone new willing to be a rogue.”

Cover for ‘Rachel Goes Rogue’.

iHeartPodcasts

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Leviss released a statement to PEOPLE about the end of her podcast, saying, “I’m very grateful for my experience and my iHeart team. I loved talking to fans and I’m proud of our accomplishments.”

“In 65 episodes, listeners were shaken Rachel goes rogue in the top 100 podcasts for several weeks in a row and has amassed more than 6 million downloads,” she added. “I’m looking forward to moving Vanderpump Rules and I continue to nurture my relationships, new and old.”

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Source: HIS Education