Ariana Madix has still not gotten what she is hoping for after the infamous “Scandoval” episode!
The media personality has suffered a major legal setback after her bid to stop Rachel Leviss‘ lawsuit against her over alleged distribution of explicit content from advancing fails woefully.
Ariana Madix and Rachel Leviss have been in court for about two years now, when the latter claimed the former embarked on a mission to share her intimate images after she discovered her affair with her partner.
4A California appeals court has ruled that Leviss’ case against Madix can proceed in the decision communicated on Wednesday, August 5. The appeals court has seemingly sided with a previous ruling made by the Los Angeles Superior Court on July 11, 2024, which rejected Madix’s effort to throw out the lawsuit initially.
Madix had claimed that the “Scandoval” issue was a public matter and that her alleged act would fall under the protection of freedom of speech. However, the appellate court found that the widespread attention surrounding the affair did not strip Leviss’ intimate videos of their private nature.
According to Leviss, Madix accessed and copied explicit videos on Sandoval’s phone that allegedly included selfies of him and her in a private s-xual act, and then shared the videos with others without his consent.
The judges emphasized that their ruling does not determine whether Leviss’ allegations are true or whether Madix distributed the videos beyond sending them to Leviss herself. As shared by TMZ, the court ruled that Madix’s free speech claim was insufficient to dismiss the case at this juncture and that the case should be heard.
The ‘Love Island’ Host Refused To Give Her Ex-Boyfriend A Redemption Arc
The latest setback in Madix’s defense against Leviss’ lawsuit may also remind people of the hard line she took against Sandoval after the “Scandoval” episode made headlines. As shared by TV Shows Ace, in 2024, Madix had made it clear she had no interest in giving her ex an on-camera conversation to satisfy viewers.
In response to complaints about her refusal to reach out to her ex on “Vanderpump Rules,” Madix claimed that her contract never mandated that she make up moments that were not genuine. She maintained that staying true to herself mattered more than creating dramatic television, pointing to the support she has received from fans.
Madix also dismissed the idea that confronting Sandoval would have benefited anyone but him. She added that he was looking for a chance to repair his public image before viewers, and she refused to play a role in his redemption arc, especially without seeing any remorse from him.
Madix stressed that she would not go out of her way to have a conversation she does not want to have at the reunion either, adding that it is all about being authentic and not ratings since the scandal ruined their relationship.
Ariana Madix’s Ex’s Affair With Rachel Leviss Ended As Soon As It Began
4In 2023, The Blast noted that Sandoval and Leviss’ affair could not stand the test of time as it ended just two months after word broke out. Leviss had ended the romance after deciding Sandoval was not the right fit for her.
The knowledge of Leviss and Sandoval’s affair became known to Madix when she discovered an explicit video of Leviss on Sandoval’s phone, who was in a long-term relationship with her at the time.
Leviss and Sandoval promptly released statements addressing their split, with the former admitting that her need for emotional validation through partnerships that are not healthy was a major struggle in her life.
She added that she also struggled with codependency as she took responsibility for her actions and promised that she would seek help at a mental health facility.
Sandoval eventually apologized to the “Love Island” host and described his connection with Leviss as something he had not felt in years, stating that he was attracted to her emotionally and admired her personality.
The ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Star Revealed Selling Shared Home Was The Last Tie To Tom Sandoval
4As noted by PEOPLE in May, Madix took one step closer to leaving her past with Sandoval in it after confirming the sale of the Los Angeles home they once shared. The “Love Island USA” host told Katie Maloney and Dayna Kathan on the “Disrespectfully” podcast that the arrangement was basically done.
She added during the interview that she was waiting for the final paperwork to be completed before the money hit her bank account. Madix admitted the property had long been out of sight, out of mind after moving into her own home.
She explained that her main goal for making sure the property was placed on the market was to cash out her investment so she could put the money toward new opportunities. The reality star also described the sale as the final lingering connection to her former partner, and now that it is off, she can rule that off her list.
The update came months after Sandoval announced the property would be listed, ending a dispute over the home that stretched on for nearly two years after their highly publicized split. With the sale now wrapped up, Madix said she felt relieved to finally move on and focus on what is next.
Ariana Madix Set Her Sights On EGOT Status After Landing Major Emmy Nomination
4Speaking of what is next on her agenda, the reality star recently scored an Emmy nomination for her hosting duties on “Love Island USA.” In her interview with Marie Claire, the reality star admitted that the recognition felt unreal, and it would only feel real once the award campaign kicks off.
Madix shared that the nomination has only encouraged her to go after one thing, which is achieving EGOT status. She added that publicly sharing her goals pushes her to work harder towards them, hence her declaration.
Describing the honor as her biggest professional dream, the media personality also hoped to balance hosting with other areas of her career like dancing, singing, and acting, all while striking a balance in her personal life.
The reality host faces strong competition in her Emmy category, with big wigs such as RuPaul, Alan Cumming, Kristen Kish, and Jeff Probst on the list.
What is Ariana Madix’s next step in this debacle?
