Ariana Madix references ‘tumultuous time’ as ‘Vanderpump Rules’ wins MTV award

Tom Sandoval isn’t even safe from the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards.

Ariana Madix briefly referenced the aftermath of her ex’s months-long affair with Raquel Leviss while accepting the trophy for Best Reality On-Screen Team with her “Vanderpump Rules” co-stars Katie Maloney and Scheana Shay.

“Obviously, it’s a very tumultuous time in all of our lives, but we are truly at our best when we come together as a team, so thank you,” she said in a pre-recorded video that aired Sunday.

Madix also thanked the fans who voted for her, Maloney, Shay and Lala Kent, who did not join the trio in accepting the award.

“We’ve been through so many ups and downs as friends,” she said.

Katie Maloney, Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay sitting and talking
Ariana Madix talked about her “tumultuous time” as she won an MTV award for “Vanderpump Rules.”
MTV Awards
Katie Maloney, Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay sitting and talking
Madix also acknowledged the “ups and downs” she, Katie Maloney and Scheana Shay have faced over the years.
MTV Awards

The win came two months after Madix, 37, dumped Sandoval, 40, upon learning about his secret dalliance with Leviss, 28.

“Ariana was blindsided by the cheating,” a source told us at the time, adding that Madix had “no idea there were any issues” in her nearly 10-year relationship with Sandoval.

However, the bar owner went on to claim that he broke up with Madix on Valentine’s Day — two weeks before the scandal, dubbed Scandoval, first made headlines in March.

A selfie of Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss
Sandoval and Leviss’ affair first made headlines in March, two days after Madix found out and dumped him.
Instagram/raquelleviss

“She’s like, ‘If you break up with me, you will be effectively ending my life,’” he said on the “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” podcast in April. “I didn’t know what to do. She was in complete denial and not accepting it.”


Follow Page Six’s coverage of ‘Scandoval’:


Madix has yet to publicly discuss the headline-making scandal in depth.

She has been busy, however; In addition to booking an acting gig, the Something About Her co-owner has been spotted packing on the PDA with personal trainer Daniel Wai several times in recent weeks — including at Coachella and a New York Yankees game.

Tom Sandoval kissing Ariana Madix on the cheek
Madix learned about the affair after seeing a sexually explicit video of Leviss on Sandoval’s phone.
arianamadix/Instagram
Raquel Leviss, Scheana Shay, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, Lisa Vanderpump, Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney posing for the Season 10 "Vanderpump Rules" promo photo
Leviss and Sandoval discussed their affair — dubbed Scandoval — at the explosive Season 10 reunion taping.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo

Meanwhile, Sandoval was also out East struggling to sell tickets for his cover band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, on Long Island last Thursday.

He and Leviss have stayed away from Los Angeles since facing their co-stars — including Madix — at the explosive “Vanderpump Rules” Season 10 reunion taping in March.

Sandoval recently enjoyed a nature getaway in Arizona, while Leviss checked herself into a mental health facility. She appears to still be at the unnamed center.