Vanderpump Rules' James Kennedy Addresses Near-Physical Reunion Fight With Tom Sandoval

Vanderpump Rules' James Kennedy explained exclusively to E! News why he and Tom Sandoval almost came to blows during the upcoming season 10 reunion in the wake of his affair with Raquel Leviss.

By Brett Malec May 19, 2023 6:10 PMTags
Watch: James Kennedy Calls Cheating on Ex Raquel Leviss "Not a Proud Moment"

James Kennedy is not holding back.

So don't expect him to pump the brakes when it comes to confronting Tom Sandoval about cheating on Ariana Madix at Vanderpump Rules' upcoming season 10 reunion.

In fact, things get so contentious while rehashing the TomTom co-owner's months-long affair with Raquel Leviss that the two co-stars nearly come to blows.

"There was enough for me to get heated about," James explained to E! News at the Vanderpump Dogs Gala on May 18. "I've been working a lot on my anger recently, but like, that was just a bit too much. I had to get it out that day. Because if not, when else am I gonna get the chance? You know?"

As VPR's shocking reunion trailer teased, the DJ tells Tom he's "a worm with a mustache" and labels his former fiancée a "backstabbing hoe" over their affair before calling them both "poo poo heads." James even gets out of his chair and rushes Tom saying, "I will f--k you up so quickly."

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A Timeline of the Vanderpump Rules Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix Break Up Drama

So with the cast so divided in the wake of Scandoval, does James see complications when it comes to filming next season?

"We're all still friends, I'm still talking to [Tom] Schwartz," the 31-year-old noted. "Sandoval made a big boo boo and Raquel never really contributed much to the show regardless. So, I'm not doubting the show. I think it's still gonna be thriving. There's only one Vanderpump Rules." 

Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images, Cindy Ord/Bravo via Getty Images

James' comments come amid Lisa Vanderpump weighing in on the future of the Bravo series after Tom and Raquel's scandal.

"It's going to be complicated," she exclusively told E! News May 18. "But Vanderpump Rules has never been a fairy tale. Let's be honest."

Vanderpump Rules' three-part reunion kicks off Wednesday, May 24, at 9 p.m. on Bravo. Keep reading for every bombshell from VPR's season finale.

—Reporting by Amanda Champagne-Meadows

Tom Sandoval & Ariana Madix's Devastating Last Talk

Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix had their final emotional breakup talk following his affair with Raquel Leviss and it was more devastating that anyone could have imagined.

"That girl is searching for identity in men, she has no identity of her own," she told him. "Willing to stoop so low as to f--k one of her best friend's life partners, and that's someone you think is a good person to be around?"

When Sandoval revealed he and Leviss formed a deep, emotional bond, Ariana exploded, calling Sandoval and Leviss' relationship "bulls--t" and "disgusting."

"I was ride or f--king die for you, " she added, "and I had her back. The fact that she's continued to smile in my face is one of the most god-awful, disgusting things I've ever heard of."

And though Sandoval continued to blame their lack of intimacy, Madix didn't buy it and left her ex with one final, bone-chilling message.

"I regret every moment that I stood up for you, defended you, supported you," she said. "You're worth nothing and I want you to feel that deep in your soul. I want you to hear those words coming from the mouth of the woman who f--king stood by you and loved you and was ready to build the rest of my life around you."

Tom Schwartz Confronts Tom Sandoval About Their Business Problems

TomSandovalbroke down in tears at Tom Schwartz's apartment while apologizing for his affair negatively affecting their L.A. bars.

"You f--ked up, man," Schwartz told his business partner. "We went from 4.8 stars on Yelp to one star at Schwartz & Sandy's. We have 20 employees who depend on us."

In a confessional, Schwartz added, "To think that this place could fall apart because of Tom's affair, it's soul-crushing," before admitting to having fear of being "cancelled" by association.

James Kennedy Calls Out His Ex

While discussing the shocking chain of events with Katie Maloney, Lala Kent and Ally Lewber, James Kennedy decided to call Leviss on the phone and grill her about the affair.

Leviss denied that she and Sandoval were "an item" and called the backlash from the affair "eye-opening" before her ex-fiancé really unleashed on her.

"You lied to everyone's face," Kennedy said. "All the people you were building friendships with, you've literally just trashed it for Sandoval's little cocky c--k. His stinky, 40-year-old c--k. Seriously, Raquel? You're not the brightest chick."

Sandoval & Leviss Declare Their Love

Sandoval visited Leviss at her apartment amid the fallout where they officially said "I love you" for the first time on camera. Although they wouldn't kiss in front of the crew, the passionately hugged.

"I was just so curious to know what it would be like to be physical with someone that you love because I already knew I loved him as a friend and I've never had sex like that before," she admitted in a confessional. "I should have completely removed myself from the situation, but I did not have the will power to not see him."

Meanwhile, Sandoval told his love, "I would never do this if there wasn't something here." 

Later, in his confessional, he added, "I can't predict the future. Maybe things will work out with Raquel and I, maybe they won't. But, when I kissed Raquel I felt hope, I felt like, 'Wait a minute, you're not washed up. Your best days aren't behind you, maybe they're just beginning.'"

When Schwartz Really Found Out

Maloney grilled ex-husband Schwartz about when he really found out about his best friend's affair. After initially insisting he only learned about the cheating one month before Scandoval broke in March, he later revealed the truth: He's known since it started last summer.

"I knew about the one-night stand, OK?" he admitted. "It was f--ked up. He said, 'I cannot believe we f--king did that. I'm disgusted, but here's how I justified it.' He's tried to communicate this to Ariana multiple times, he tried to break up with her and it just didn't work out."

Maloney didn't have any sympathy to offer, calling the TomTom co-owner Sandoval's "bitch boy."

"By being associated with him," she added, "you're going to lose a lot of friends."

Kristen Doute Returns

In the wake of Sandoval's scandal, his other ex-girlfriend Kristen Doute returned to VPR for the first time in three years to help comfort Ariana.

"If anything," Doute said while they bonded over their mutual disgust, "I'm sorry to you that you had to do me the favor of taking him away from me."

Doute then had Madix write down affirmations and burn the pieces of paper as a symbol of healing. "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," she chanted during the backyard ceremony, "life is beautiful, so slay we must."

Sandoval Has a Panic Attack at Lisa Vanderpump's Home

After Lisa Vanderpump agreed to see the disgraced star, he met her at her home and tried to save face. "Me and Raquel had every intention of telling Ariana before the reunion," he told her. "There's no way we could feel like a human being, either one of us, to have Ariana defending Raquel and me."

Though she called the situation terrible, she added in a confessional, "Look, I'm not going to turn my back on Sandoval. I will never, ever do anything but condemn what he did, but they've all been guilty of things—maybe not quite this level. But at some point, maybe the pain will ease."

Back at her home, Sandoval broke down during what seemed to be an actual panic attack. "I would love to be able to have a conversation with her when she's not so angry with me," he said before balling his eyes out and struggling to catch his breath. "I don't know if I'll ever get that chance, which kills me."

Schwartz Apologizes to Madix (& It Doesn't Go Well)

Schwartz crashed a girls' night out (meant to get Madix's mind off the drama) to apologize to her.

"I'm not here to advocate for him," he told Madix. "Right now, I'm just pissed with Sandoval. I feel like he exploited my kindness. Also our businesses that we put our hearts and souls into."

She wasn't having it, though. "He apologized to the business before he apologized to me publicly which was literally pathetic," she fired back, referencing his March 4 Instagram post. "What did he think was going to f--king happen? He was going to be able to cheat on me and be able to walk away unscathed?"

The Schwartz & Sandy's co-owner continued, "I just wanted to come look you in the eyes and say I'm so f--king sorry for this whole thing."

Her response? "I will not have mutual friends with him," she stated, "so I am not your friend anymore."

Sandoval Admits to Prior Cheating

The finale concluded with Sandoval visiting Scheana Shay to deliver another apology—not just for his deceitfulness, but also because of a heated conversation he and Shay had after her alleged altercation with Leviss.

Referencing one of Sandoval's past dalliances from years back, she asked, "So other than Miami girl, this is the first time you've ever cheated on Ariana?" to which he replied, "There was one other time."

Her reaction? "You're sick," she said. "Just a random person?"

Though Tom originally stated yes, he awkwardly followed with, "Well, no," before refusing to reveal any more details.

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