Credit: FAYES VISION/startraksphoto/Cover Images, Sara De Boer/startraksphoto
Raquel Leviss seems to be on the fence about whether or not she’ll participate in the upcoming Vanderpump Rules reunion.
According to a new report, Raquel, whose affair with Tom Sandoval was uncovered earlier this month, distanced herself from production last week, telling those close to her she was not planning to attend the reunion at all before ultimately hearing them out.
On March 16, TMZ revealed Raquel is currently in discussions with producers about appearing at the taping — and doing so in person rather than on Zoom.
As Pump Rules fans have surely heard, Raquel filed a restraining order against Scheana Shay on March 7, accusing her castmate of attacking her in New York City, which Scheana has denied. So, when it comes to filming the reunion with all cast members present, that is simply not a possibility as Scheana must stay at least 100 yards away from Raquel at least until their March 29 court hearing.
Although they will certainly have to make some changes, the network is said to be willing to work around Raquel’s restraining order against Scheana so no violations occur, which may mean that Scheana will be forced out.
As Pump Rules producers attempt to work out the details of the upcoming taping, believed to be taking place on Thursday, March 23, Scheana’s attorney is accusing Raquel of “sabotaging” the special and creating “a mess” both for “her friends and for the show.”
“The temporary restraining order, as it stands now, currently prohibits Scheana from being within 100 yards of Rachel so they can’t both be physically present at the reunion,” Neama Rahmani said in a statement to PEOPLE on March 14. “Rachel not only betrayed her friends, but she has sabotaged this reunion because it just can’t happen in any meaningful way while this order is in place.”
“There really is no mechanism to modify this type of temporary civil restraining order before the hearing so the reunion, at least having them all together in person, is certainly in jeopardy,” he continued. “Potentially, one of them could Zoom in and appear virtually but Scheana still can’t communicate with Rachel either directly or through an intermediary.”
According to the lawyer, Raquel and Scheana will “have to film [the reunion] separately or virtually.”
Following Raquel’s claims of an assault against her, Scheana slammed her as a “liar” and a “cheat.”
“Neither Scheana nor other cast members want anything to do with Rachel going forward,” her statement, via Neama, continued. “The judge has only heard a one-sided account of what happened, and we look forward to presenting the full and true story at the March 29 hearing.”
Vanderpump Rules season 10 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.