‘Vanderpump Rules’ Star Raquel Leviss Had an Onscreen Panic Attack Prior to Scandoval Drama: ‘I Beat Myself Up Over Everything’

Credit: Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock

'Vanderpump Rules' Star Raquel Leviss Had an Onscreen Panic Attack Prior to Scandoval Drama: 'I Beat Myself Up Over Everything'

A difficult conversation. Raquel Leviss suffered from a panic attack while addressing her split from James Kennedy — and the subsequent aftermath — during season 10 of Vanderpump Rules. During a new episode of the hit Bravo series, which aired on Wednesday, March 15, Raquel, 28, opened up to Lala Kent, Katie Maloney and Kristina Kelly about her decision to end her engagement. "I was actually planning on leaving him when he went to London to visit his dad," the California native, who announced the split in December 2022, recalled. "No [I wasn't going to tell him]. I was going to pack up all my stuff and leave the ring box with the ring in it with a note." Raquel said she struggled with the next chapter of her life after the breakup, adding, "I feel like in a relationship like that where I am so focused on James, I lost my identity and now being single is my new identity." As the beauty pageant contestant continued to discuss her personal life, she started to cry on screen. "Literally people have been asking, 'Raquel who are you?' And my answer is 'I don't know.'" Raquel said before she started having trouble breathing. "I am just trying to figure out my life. I don't feel good — I feel shaky." Raquel's costars helped her work through her anxiety before they kept traveling on their girl's trip. "I don't know [how to let things go]. I beat myself up over everything," she told Lala, 32, Katie, 36, and Kristina about addressing her issues. James, 31, and Raquel surprised Vanderpump Rules viewers — and their costars — when they announced their decision to part ways at the season 9 reunion. "We have decided to break off the engagement. It's been something that I have been thinking about for a while, and I think that James has noticed that my heart hasn't been fully in it," Raquel shared during the January 2022 special. "I didn't want to give up on him because he really has shown me how dedicated he is to me and the things that he is willing to do to better himself. But I feel like it is something deep within. I have been having nightmares about our wedding day, and I think that's a telltale sign that something is wrong." After filming began on season 10, Us Weekly confirmed that Tom Schwartz hooked up with Raquel at Scheana Shay and Brock Davies' August 2022 wedding. As new episodes continued to be released, news broke off screen in March that Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix called it quits after nearly a decade because he cheated with Raquel. In response to the drama, Raquel took to social media to issue a public apology to Ariana, 37. "I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships. There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana," she wrote via Instagram on March 8. The Bravo star explained that she was going to speak to "a counselor" about her issues. “I have sought emotional validation through intimate connections that are not healthy without regard for my own well-being, sometimes negatively affecting others and often prioritizing the intimate connection over my friendships," she continued. "I am taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices.” That same day, Raquel opened up about where she and Sandoval, 40, stand now. "Besides the indefensible circumstances surrounding our relationship, my feelings for Tom have always been sincere and born out of a loving friendship,” she wrote via Instagram. "Knowing how many people we hurt, I need to understand my choices and learn to make better ones. I need to take care of my health, work on self growth and take time to be OK with being alone. I care for Tom and I don't want to label anything or predict what lies ahead. Right now I need to heal." Sandoval, for his part, "liked" Raquel's message about their relationship. He also requested that viewers not take out their anger on his restaurants before posting a second message which addressed his now-ex-girlfriend amid backlash. Scroll on for details on Raquel's onscreen anxiety issues before the Scandoval drama:

Credit: Earl Gibson III/Shutterstock

'Vanderpump Rules' Star Raquel Leviss Had an Onscreen Panic Attack Prior to Scandoval Drama: 'I Beat Myself Up Over Everything'

A difficult conversation. Raquel Leviss suffered from a panic attack while addressing her split from James Kennedy — and the subsequent aftermath — during season 10 of Vanderpump Rules. During a new episode of the hit Bravo series, which aired on Wednesday, March 15, Raquel, 28, opened up to Lala Kent, Katie Maloney and Kristina Kelly about her decision to end her engagement. "I was actually planning on leaving him when he went to London to visit his dad," the California native, who announced the split in December 2022, recalled. "No [I wasn't going to tell him]. I was going to pack up all my stuff and leave the ring box with the ring in it with a note." Raquel said she struggled with the next chapter of her life after the breakup, adding, "I feel like in a relationship like that where I am so focused on James, I lost my identity and now being single is my new identity." As the beauty pageant contestant continued to discuss her personal life, she started to cry on screen. "Literally people have been asking, 'Raquel who are you?' And my answer is 'I don't know.'" Raquel said before she started having trouble breathing. "I am just trying to figure out my life. I don't feel good — I feel shaky." Raquel's costars helped her work through her anxiety before they kept traveling on their girl's trip. "I don't know [how to let things go]. I beat myself up over everything," she told Lala, 32, Katie, 36, and Kristina about addressing her issues. James, 31, and Raquel surprised Vanderpump Rules viewers — and their costars — when they announced their decision to part ways at the season 9 reunion. "We have decided to break off the engagement. It's been something that I have been thinking about for a while, and I think that James has noticed that my heart hasn't been fully in it," Raquel shared during the January 2022 special. "I didn't want to give up on him because he really has shown me how dedicated he is to me and the things that he is willing to do to better himself. But I feel like it is something deep within. I have been having nightmares about our wedding day, and I think that's a telltale sign that something is wrong." After filming began on season 10, Us Weekly confirmed that Tom Schwartz hooked up with Raquel at Scheana Shay and Brock Davies' August 2022 wedding. As new episodes continued to be released, news broke off screen in March that Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix called it quits after nearly a decade because he cheated with Raquel. In response to the drama, Raquel took to social media to issue a public apology to Ariana, 37. "I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships. There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana," she wrote via Instagram on March 8. The Bravo star explained that she was going to speak to "a counselor" about her issues. “I have sought emotional validation through intimate connections that are not healthy without regard for my own well-being, sometimes negatively affecting others and often prioritizing the intimate connection over my friendships," she continued. "I am taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices.” That same day, Raquel opened up about where she and Sandoval, 40, stand now. "Besides the indefensible circumstances surrounding our relationship, my feelings for Tom have always been sincere and born out of a loving friendship,” she wrote via Instagram. "Knowing how many people we hurt, I need to understand my choices and learn to make better ones. I need to take care of my health, work on self growth and take time to be OK with being alone. I care for Tom and I don't want to label anything or predict what lies ahead. Right now I need to heal." Sandoval, for his part, "liked" Raquel's message about their relationship. He also requested that viewers not take out their anger on his restaurants before posting a second message which addressed his now-ex-girlfriend amid backlash. Scroll on for details on Raquel's onscreen anxiety issues before the Scandoval drama:

Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

A Fresh Start

In the episode, Raquel gushed about getting to spend time with her costars. I haven't done many girls trips in my lifetime, but I am having the best time. [I am] now wild and free and single and fun. I am focusing more on myself," she told the cameras.

However, things quickly took a turn when Raquel heard Lala, Katie and Kristina talking about her behind her back. "The last thing I was expecting was to get judged on getting drunk and having fun," she said in response to the trio questioning her hookup with Oliver Saunders.

Credit: Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock; MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Lala's Opinion on Raquel Post-Split

"This is Raquel. I liked this version of her without James but she showed up with on this bed last night? I was appalled. I feel nervous at this point with anyone in my life who could be a liability and who is unpredictable," the Give Them Lala author said after Raquel joked about stealing her friend's potential boyfriend. "I have been the person who gets wasted and says the most out of pocket things you ever heard in your life. So I am not judging her. But our journeys are just not in alignment right now."

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Raquel Breaks Down the End of Her Engagement to James

As the ladies took a drive on their trip, Raquel recalled what led to her split from James. 

"After how he exploded at my dad at Thanksgiving and how he was so enraged on the car ride back home to the hotel," she revealed. "He was saying my dad was only with my mom because he's miserable and he's pathetic and my mom's a bitch."

Raquel continued: "He couldn't stop himself from saying really low blows like my dad is just miserable because he is married to a fat bitch and my dad isn't even a good dad. In that car ride I told him he needs to shut up otherwise I am going to kick him out and he is going to be stranded in the middle of the desert."

The model went on to have a panic attack and Lala tried to help shift Raquel's focus, saying, "Last night through my perspective as someone who knows what you are going through. You are replying it in your mind. You are funny, you are cute and you enjoyed yourself. We are all good. Everything is fine."

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A Confrontation

Raquel's issues with Lala became the major topic of discussion during a group dinner.

"I [swooped with Oliver] but she also gave me permission," Raquel told the table, referring to her connection with Garcelle Beauvais' eldest son in a previous episode. "There was a moment in the car where I felt like maybe we could get to a place where we could all be friends and we do have a lot in common. But I am not going to take this s—t anymore.

Meanwhile, Charli Burnett took Raquel's side as Lala and Katie started to yell at her.

"I don't know who made Lala the spokeswoman of women but we need to find a new president or manager. She is the last person I would want to speak for me," the SUR waitress said in a confessional about Lala's comments that Raquel was embarrassing all women with her behavior. "Talk about how you went from a mansion back to an apartment."

Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Raquel's Decision to Leave

The next morning, Raquel and Charli decided to leave the girl's trip early to hang out with their other costars instead.

"I honestly feel like I am not welcome here. I don't want to stay here," Raquel told cameras before leaving to reunite with Scheana, 37, Schwartz, 40, and Sandoval. "I should have known that I couldn't trust these girls when I overheard them talking s—t about me in Las Vegas. I would much rather be back in L.A. with my real friends who love me for who I am."

Credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock; Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

James Weighs In on Raquel's Dynamic in Their Friend Group

During the episode, the professional DJ admitted he didn't like that he and Raquel still had the same friends. "Raquel wouldn't have even known Tom and Tom if it weren't for me. Let alone Scheana or any of them," he shared. "Find your own life. Because next thing you know it will be DJ Raquel and See You Next Wednesday at SUR."

James was ultimately not happy when Raquel and Charli crashed his guy's night. "Honestly it doesn't surprise me that this trip was a complete disaster," he told cameras. "I feel like Lala has been very nice to Raquel but she doesn't like Raquel. So if Raquel does one thing that over steps the alpha then a [fight happens]."