Vanderpump Rules

Lisa Vanderpump's not getting into the middle of the contract negotiations going on between Raquel Leviss and Bravo ... at least not publicly.

We got Lisa at TomTom Restaurant & Bar in West Hollywood, and we asked her where things stand between Raquel and the network ... and the whole conversation played out in front of the TMZ Celebrity Tour!!!

Lisa was very chatty about the final days of her flagship eatery, Pump Restaurant Lounge, but she playfully tried to leave once our photog asked her about Raquel's contract discussions and 'VPR' filming a new season.

TMZ broke the story ... Raquel and Bravo recently started negotiating her new deal, but the clock is ticking because "Vanderpump Rules" is already filming the new season, fresh off her cheating scandal with Tom Sandoval.

While Lisa is mum on dollar demands and contract details, she says a return date is squarely up to Raquel, who we've been told is getting close to leaving the mental health facility she's called home for more than 2 months.

Lisa says it's also going to be up to the other 'VPR' stars on how they welcome Raquel back into the fold after the Scandoval ... pointing out, they clearly all do their own thing already and don't necessarily listen to her.

"Vanderpump Rules" is already shooting Season 11, but the person who is the centerpiece of all the drama -- Raquel Leviss -- just began negotiating with Bravo this week, and there are complications in sealing the deal ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Bravo, production and Raquel's team began talking about a new contract just 3 days ago. We don't know the specifics of what was discussed, but it's standard operating procedure in the entertainment biz to make salary item #1.

Whatever terms they have already discussed, it appears none were deal-breakers, because the negotiations are continuing.

Now the problems.

Our sources say Bravo did not want to even begin negotiations while Raquel was getting treatment in the mental health facility she's called home for more than 2 months.

The reality -- if Bravo jumps the gun, makes a deal and brings her back too early, they could face legal peril if she backslides.

So, you ask ... why did they begin negotiating THIS week? The answer -- because our sources say, Raquel will leave the facility "soon." That gives production the green light to start the negotiations.

Now here's the practical problem ... the longer 'VPR' rolls cameras, the harder it's gonna be to integrate Raquel into the storylines. No one wants to pressure her to come back too early, but they want a show with lots of drama. A source connected to the show tells us ... production is ready when she is ready.

Stay tuned ...

Tom Sandoval is out this week shooting his TV show ... but it's NOT "Vanderpump Rules!"

Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... Sandoval has been in New Zealand shooting Season 2 of FOX's "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test."

As brutal as social media has been to Tom in the wake of Scandavol, it's nothing like what he's enduring in the bitter New Zealand cold. A group of diverse celebs try to survive brutal conditions and impossible challenges. A team of ex-Special Forces members put the celebs through their paces, until they give up or fail, one by one.

Season 1, which debuted earlier this year, became the top-rated unscripted series of 2022-2023.

Season 11 of "VDP Rules" started shooting Wednesday, but Tom was MIA. He's expected to start shooting when he returns. And he thinks New Zealand was tough!!!

BTW ... Sandoval's not the only one who participated in a competition show ... Tom Schwartz competed on another FOX show, "Stars on Mars."

Ariana Madix is back in front of the cameras once again ...spotted for the first time filming for the latest season of "Vanderpump Rules."

AM was out in Los Angeles Wednesday as 'VPR' began shooting for season 11, shooting a scene with Katie Maloney as they shopped at BTS Thrift Store.

Sources connected to the show tell TMZ ... they filmed for about 3-4 hours, browsing for some items to put in their new sandwich shop, Something About Her in West Hollywood, which we're told will be a big part of their storyline this season.

Our sources say while filming, they picked up some fine china, glassware, and other cute knickknacks for the shop.

Hours later, we're told Lisa Vanderpump, her husband Ken Todd, Tom Schwartz and James Kennedy filmed late in the evening at TomTom in West Hollywood.

TMZ broke the story, there's still no word on if Raquel Leviss, who Tom Sandoval cheated on Ariana with, will be coming back to the show. Sources tell us production and Raquel's team are working on getting her back to the show and filming, but she's still at a mental health facility.

Adele is just like the rest of us -- piling onto Tom Sandoval with her Vegas audience ... even though she's kinda just figuring out the backstory and pertinent details as she goes.

The singer was back to bantering with the crowd Monday, only this time she wasn't talking subs ... she was going on about "Vanderpump Rules." Specifically, Adele wanted to know who the guy that cheated was ... and what exactly he does for a living.

It's a fair Q. Folks who don't watch the show -- but who might've heard about the drama regardless -- have probably been asking the same thing ... and Adele got some answers from ticket holders. Well, sorta ... people weren't all that helpful in painting a clear picture.

Adele polled one fella in the audience, and he simply blurted out ... "He's trash." She jokingly agreed, but clearly wanted her question answered -- and he told her Tom's a server who's trying to be a singer now. That's not *entirely* accurate ... but Adele seemed satisfied.

For those unfamiliar ... Tom is a local restaurant/business owner in L.A. who mingles with the 'Vanderpump' staff as a bartender. He's been part of the cast since pretty much the beginning, and yes -- he is indeed in a band ... and he does, in fact, sing.

While Adele didn't seem privy to any of that info ... she's certainly heard about him pulling a fast one on his longtime girlfriend, Ariana Madix, by hooking up with her best friend and fellow castmate, Raquel Leviss -- which blew up in his face earlier this year after we broke the news on the affair.

As we've reported ... there's been a lot of mud-slinging in the aftermath, but now -- Bravo's ready to do it all over again. Only problem is they haven't signed Raquel for the new season just yet ... as she remains at her mental health facility ... and they're starting production on Wednesday. Obviously, they want her back.

Time will tell if she inks a deal ... but it'll also be interesting to see if the 'Scandoval' has actual legs. This thing's starting to feel fully squeezed -- and there might be some fatigue.

"Vanderpump Rules" is gearing up for another season ... but TMZ has learned Raquel Leviss still hasn't committed to joining the cast and crew for another round of drama.

Sources connected to the show tell us the Bravo series is slated to go back into production for season 11 Wednesday.

Raquel, however, still hasn't said if she'll be along for the ride. We're told both production and Raquel's team are working hard to get her on the show, but she's still at her mental health facility, which continues to be her priority. We're told she has been at the facility for more than two months.

As for the rest of the "VPR" cast, we're told they're all coming back ... which includes Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix.

In case you didn't know, Raquel seemed on the fence about locking in for another season during last season's reunion -- telling Andy Cohen, "I don't know. It's in question right now. I want to."

She wasn't at the mental health facility at the time of the taping of the reunion, however ... which is where her mind might've changed.

Tom Sandoval says he wasn't body-shaming Ariana Madix when he groaned about her leaving her shirt on during sex ... saying his issue was with her lack of passion.

The "Vanderpump Rules" star set the record straight Wednesday, telling paparazzi what he meant by his comment on the reunion show.

Remember, Tom caused outrage at the reunion when he dished on one of the couple's last sexual encounters ... "Yeah, she kept her t-shirt on ... it was really hot."

Tom says he was complaining about Ariana being unenthusiastic about sex ... and he compares her wearing a shirt to someone rushing him through sex in order to meet someone for lunch.

While Tom's been getting a lot of flak for the reunion show dig, he says folks who think he was body-shaming Ariana have it twisted.

For her part, Ariana is making money off Tom's comment ... she's marketing a shirt with her face and the phrase "F*** Me In This T-Shirt" that's selling for $34.99.

Tom also clears the air about Tom Schwartz ... and says he's not going to speak for Raquel Leviss.

Tom Sandoval has been in a vortex of bad press these past few months -- all over his cheating scandal, of course -- and now ... his best bud's weighing in on the galactic fail.

Of course, we're talking about Tom Schwartz -- Sandoval's right-hand man in business and fellow costar on "Vanderpump Rules" ... who's had a front-row seat to all the drama unfolding of late. Naturally, seeing how he's close with Tom #1 -- Schwartz caught flak too.

Now, the dude's spilling his guts about it all in the aftermath -- as seen on FOX's new reality show, "Stars on Mars," on which TS is a contestant -- and it sounds like he wants to distance himself from Sandoval/his poor decision-making ... trying to get light years away.

BTW, if you think our space references are a bit much ... wait 'til you hear how Schwartz puts it. The guy's got a ton of creative ways to explain how out of this world Scandoval has been from his POV ... and this is just a taste. He'll dish even more on Monday's episode.

Also, if you're wondering what the "Stars on Mars" show is ... we'll tell ya. The series just launched and it's very much so in the vein of "Big Brother" -- only here, celebs are living together in a manufactured Mars-like environment ... competing against each other.

The other contenders run the gamut of stardom -- folks like Lance Armstrong, Marshawn Lynch and Richard Sherman are on ... as are Ariel Winter, Porsha Williams, Ronda Rousey and others. It truly is a who's-who of reality TV ... also, William Shatner's hosting!

Lala Kent has no doubt the flame between Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss will die out sooner than later ... and she's confident Tom will be to blame for their eventual breakup.

We got the "Vanderpump Rules" star at LAX, where she echoed what many fans have said about Tom and Raquel -- the whole "Scandoval" was a fun, sneaky fling for them, but that doesn't mean they'll stand the test of time.

Lala thinks Raquel would be down to turn their affair into a long-term, committed romance -- but Tom's a different story. She adds, "Whoever marries Sandoval, I feel really bad for them."

As for Ariana, Lala says her big discovery on Tom's phone -- which exposed the affair -- was truly a blessing in disguise.

Ariana Madix isn't about to hold hands and sing kumbaya with Raquel Leviss, but the "Vanderpump Rules" star can admit feeling the slightest bit of sympathy for the woman who had an affair with her man, Tom Sandoval.

Ariana was getting the hell outta L.A. Thursday, when she summed up the bombastic reunion finale with just 2 small words: "a lot." Brief, but accurate as hell.

ICYMI, the episode highlights included Ariana screaming at Raquel "go f**k yourself with a f**king cheese grater," and Raquel admitting she'd banged Tom in the house he owns with Ariana ... while Ariana was attending her grandma's funeral!

So, yeah, "a lot." However, as she flew out of LAX, Ariana was asked if she felt for Raquel even a little bit, and she said, "Sure, yeah." Watch how it comes out -- it's debatable if she means it.

Of course, Raquel broke down in tears at the end of the episode, and we know she's been in a behavioral health center for at least 2 months. Now, on the topic of Raquel and Sandoval truly being in love -- as they declared during the reunion -- Ariana seems less than convinced.

Lala Kent, one of Ariana's 'VPR' allies through the 'Scandoval,' told us she too is feeling some sorta way about Raquel's emotions post-reunion. She says watching it all play out, did make her think Raquel -- in her fragile mental state -- might not be cut out for reality TV.

"Vanderpump Rules" star Lala Kent says she and her castmates might've gone too hard on Raquel Leviss during the explosive reunion finale ... but also says reality TV doesn't seem to be the best line of work for someone like Raquel.

We got Lala at LAX Thursday and she's feeling much different toward Raquel after watching Wednesday night's episode ... compared to the "dirty" feeling she had in March after the reunion filming.

She says she recognizes the work Raquel's been putting in at the mental health facility after she got pelted with attacks from her costars for the affair with Tom Sandoval behind Ariana Madix's back. Lala feels all the suffering Raquel's been going through is a sign the public spotlight isn't for her.

As you know, Raquel -- as well as Tom -- were the punching bags during the 3-part 'VPR' reunion, and Raquel eventually broke down and confessed the full accurate timeline of when she and Tom started having sex ... debunking some of Tom's claims.

She started sobbing when she admitted a huge secret -- they'd slept together in Ariana and Tom's home while Ariana was away at her grandma's funeral.

Raquel's been at a behavioral health and trauma center for more than 2 months now ... and Lala says she's really happy Raquel's getting the help she needs -- despite their fierce differences up to this point.

Scheana Shay is shaming Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss for heating up their affair while they were in Mexico for her wedding ... claiming other guests picked up on the vibes.

We got the "Vanderpump Rules" star and her husband at LAX on the heels of the reunion show, and our photog asked if there were any surprises that came out of part two.

Scheana says they knew all the details of Tom and Raquel's scandal ... but tells us it's still pretty "disgusting" how they hooked up behind Ariana Madix's back at her wedding.

Remember ... Raquel revealed she and Tom banged multiple times during Scheana's August wedding in Mexico, which flies in the face of Tom claiming it was just a "one-night stand."

Scheana says when the cheating scandal broke, wedding guests started reaching out to tell her they noticed something strange going on between Tom and Raquel ... and everyone began connecting the dots.

Raquel Leviss kept the drama flowing after the "Vanderpump Rules" reunion finale, admitting Tom Sandoval covered up the worst details of their hookups ... the ones that happened right under Ariana Madix's nose.

Raquel did a one-on-one chat with a 'VPR' producer for a debrief 6 days after the reunion taping, and exposed the fact she and Sandoval had actually slept together multiple times during Scheana Shay's wedding last August in Mexico. Tom had claimed it was just a "one-night stand," so ... yeah, there's that.

She even talked about suggesting to Tom they become a throuple -- Tom, Ariana, and Raquel -- which he quickly said Ariana would NOT be into doing. That's super interesting because Bravo shot a scene during the wedding trip -- which it didn't air until after the affair came out -- showing all 3 of them half-naked in a hot tub and Ariana saying, "We look like a throuple."

She had no idea Raquel and Tom were already banging.

Perhaps the most shocking revelation came when Raquel tearfully admitted bedding Tom at the home he still shares with Ariana. During the reunion, Tom was adamant they never hooked up while Ariana was out of town, attending her grandmother's funeral -- but Raquel says that's exactly what happened.

She added that particular hookup was the one Tom begged her to keep under wraps.

As she sobbed, Raquel said Tom wanted to hold on to that lie, because ... "It’s a really bad look to hook up with someone’s boyfriend in their own house" while Ariana was away at the funeral.

And there's, perhaps, the biggest understatement of the whole damn 'Scandoval.'

As for why she finally came clean, Raquel said, "I just hate lying so much."

The "Vanderpump Rules" reunion reached its climactic conclusion Wednesday night as Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss professed their love for one another -- doing so right in front of Tom’s jilted ex Ariana Madix.

The dramatic sequence went down halfway through the third and final part of the 'VPR' Season 10 reunion when Bravo host Andy Cohen asked Raquel why she didn't slam the brakes on her affair with Tom.

Raquel said it was "almost impossible" to turn away from their relationship, prompting Andy to explore if she was in love with Tom at the time. After a tense moment, Raquel nodded and said, "Yeah."

Predictably, Ariana lost it and did some name-calling, but Raquel stayed composed and went on to admit she was still in love with Tom.

Andy then turned to Tom and questioned whether he had the same feelings for Raquel. Tom took a deep breath and thought about it for what felt like an eternity ... then he finally blurted out, “I’m sorry. Yes.”

Of course, Ariana reacted with disgust, labeling Tom and Raquel "grody" and their expressions of love as "the most pathetic thing I've ever heard." Earlier, Ariana promised to never see or speak to Raquel again after the reunion and compared her to an evil "Dementor" creature from the 'Harry Potter' films.

The other 'VPR' cast members -- Lala Kent, James Kennedy, Tom Schwartz and Lisa Vanderpump -- chimed in from time to time, but it was mostly the Tom, Ariana and Raquel show.

Ariana Madix coming face-to-face with Raquel Leviss is absolutely bonkers ... and the f-bomb-heavy rant over the affair with Tom Sandoval finally plays out on tonight's "Vanderpump Rules" reunion finale.

In a preview of the episode, Ariana and Raquel argue back and forth about the 'Scandoval' before Ariana explodes ... "You had already f***ed him at that point so shut the f*** up!"

It doesn't end there ... Ariana gives Raquel this very graphic piece of advice, "Go f*** yourself with a f***ing cheese grater. F*** you. You f***ing suck."

Tom tries to defend Rachel Raquel saying, "We don't live our lives by logic," and that sets off wild laughter in his face from nearly the entire cast.

Round 3 of the 3-part reunion seems to pick up right where it left off ... you''ll recall, Tom got roasted by his castmates over his affair, and clearly they have a lot more to say to him and his partner in crime.

Expect both of them to play the role of piñatas for the rest of the show. Hopefully, Andy Cohen doesn't have too much trouble with the clean-up.

Tom Schwartz seemed to be one of the only folks sticking by Tom Sandoval's side in the wake of the affair but now, even he's taking a step away ... saying he hasn't seen or spoken to his pal in a while.

The "Vanderpump Rules" star was on Wednesday's episode of "When Reality Hits with Jax and Brittany", and he got candid about where things stand with his longtime buddy and business partner ... now that the whole 'Scandoval' has hit the fan.

Schwartz tells the hosts, he pretty much felt caught in the middle of the entire thing and became an "unfortunate confidant" for Sandoval while he was having an affair ... but that's no longer the case.

He made it clear, he feels super-exploited by someone he called a friend ... adding, he hasn't seen or spoken to Sandoval in quite some time. Schwartz says he still loves Sandoval but the bottom line is, he can't support what he did.

It doesn't sound like the Toms are on great terms right now ... because Schwartz flat-out says Sandoval made a huge mess and needs to take more accountability for his actions. He also added, Sandoval needs to drop his ego and apologize without making up excuses.

As you know, Sandoval has come under fire since word got out he was cheating with his girlfriend of 10 years, Ariana Madix, with their friend/costar Raquel Leviss.

Up until this point, Schwartz was one of the few people to maintain a friendship with Sandoval ... despite other castmates pressuring him to cut him off.

You'll recall, things got super messy when the other 'VPR' stars found out Schwartz may have known more about the affair than he led on.