Rachel Savannah Leviss, widely recognized by her television moniker Raquel Leviss, is an American media personality, model, podcast host, and certified sound healer. She captured global attention through her tenure on the hit Bravo reality television series Vanderpump Rules. Her journey from pageant contestant to reality television fixture and subsequent transition into mental health advocacy and independent podcasting forms a multi-layered narrative of modern celebrity culture. Experiencing the highs of reality television stardom alongside the intense scrutiny of high-profile personal controversies, Leviss has redefined her public identity. This biography examines every facet of her life, including her chronological age, romantic history, familial roots, physical attributes, estimated net worth, and complete television portfolio.
- Introduction to Rachel Savannah Leviss
- Early Life, Family Background, and Education
- Birth Details and Upbringing in Southern California
- Adoption Story and Parents
- Siblings and Extended Family
- Academic Pursuits and Sonoma State University
- Physical Attributes and Modeling Career
- Height, Weight, and Physical Statistics
- Pageant Beginnings and Modeling Portfolio
- Rise to Fame on Vanderpump Rules
- Joining the Cast and Early Seasons
- Key Storylines and Engagement
- The 2023 Scandoval Phenomenon and Public Fallout
- The Affair and Reality Television Impact
- Departure from Vanderpump Rules
- Mental Health Advocacy and Sound Healing
- Treatment and Trauma Recovery
- Certification in Sound Healing
- Independent Media Ventures: Rachel Goes Orbit
- Podcast Launch and Content Strategy
- Complete Television and Podcast Portfolio
- Philanthropic Endeavors and Animal Welfare
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the birth date and age of Rachel Leviss?
- Who are the biological parents of Rachel Leviss?
- What is the educational background of Rachel Leviss?
- Why did Rachel Leviss leave Vanderpump Rules?
- What is the name of the podcast hosted by Rachel Leviss?
Introduction to Rachel Savannah Leviss
Rachel Savannah Leviss entered the public consciousness as a steady presence in the Southern California social scene before capturing international headlines on reality television. Her cultural impact stems from the intersection of modern fame, unscripted television dynamics, and public reinvention. By shifting her focus away from traditional television toward personal wellness and independent media production, she continues to capture public interest.
Understanding her trajectory requires examining the foundations of her early life, her academic pursuits, and the specific events that propelled her into the center of pop culture discourse. Her story highlights the complexities faced by individuals managing intense public scrutiny in the digital age.
Early Life, Family Background, and Education
Birth Details and Upbringing in Southern California
Rachel Savannah Leviss was born on September 12, 1994. Her birthplace is Thousand Oaks, California, where she spent her early years before her family relocated. Her astrological sign is Virgo. Growing up in Southern California exposed her early on to the culture of entertainment, beauty pageants, and local modeling circuits that ultimately shaped her professional trajectory.
Ventura County provided a suburban backdrop for her formative years, during which she balanced standard academic requirements with creative extracurricular activities. Her early experiences in California laid the groundwork for her eventual entry into competitive pageantry.
Adoption Story and Parents
Family dynamics play a central role in the background of Rachel Leviss. Her biological parents are Carey Leviss and Susan Couture. However, a significant aspect of her upbringing involves her adoption at birth by her aunt, Laura Martin.
Laura Martin raised Rachel and provided the foundational stability of her childhood in Southern California. Laura Martin works professionally as a home stager, supporting the family through creative real estate staging enterprises while fostering a supportive domestic environment.
Siblings and Extended Family
Leviss grew up alongside her half-siblings from her mother’s side, Kate Couture-Moncure and David. Kate Couture-Moncure established a professional career as a real estate agent and former professional makeup artist.
Despite complex biological and legal family structures involving her adoption by her aunt, Leviss maintains close ties with her extended family network across California, frequently acknowledging the support system that sustained her through personal challenges.
Academic Pursuits and Sonoma State University
Education played a steady role in the early life of Leviss prior to her breakout television career. She attended Newbury Park High School in Ventura County, California, where she participated in standard high school curricula and extracurricular activities.
Following her high school graduation, she enrolled at Sonoma State University with a distinct academic focus. She majored in Kinesiology, specifically targeting a concentration in pre-occupational therapy. She successfully completed her undergraduate requirements and graduated from Sonoma State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, reflecting an early career ambition focused on physical rehabilitation and healthcare support.
Physical Attributes and Modeling Career
Height, Weight, and Physical Statistics
Leviss entered the public eye initially through the competitive modeling and pageant circuits, where physical presentation is heavily scrutinized. Her physical statistics include a height of 5 feet 9 inches (175 centimeters) and a weight of approximately 126 pounds (57 kilograms).
Her body measurements are approximately 34-27-38 inches (86-69-97 centimeters), with a US shoe size of 8.5. She has natural hazel eyes and naturally blonde hair, which she frequently styles with highlights for professional modeling assignments.
Pageant Beginnings and Modeling Portfolio
The professional career of Leviss commenced in the modeling industry around 2010 when she began securing local print and promotional campaigns in Southern California. Her breakthrough in the competitive pageant circuit occurred in 2016 when she entered and won the Miss Sonoma County pageant.
Following her Miss Sonoma County title, she leveraged her platform to compete in larger regional competitions. In October 2019, she participated in the highly competitive Miss Malibu and Miss Beverly Hills pageants, collaborating with commercial brands like InfinitySun, Boohoo, Bohme, and Simona, alongside print appearances in lifestyle publications such as Maxim and Elle.
Rise to Fame on Vanderpump Rules
Joining the Cast and Early Seasons
The defining chapter of the public career of Leviss arrived through her casting on the Bravo reality television series Vanderpump Rules. She initially appeared on the program as the girlfriend of cast member James Kennedy, a resident DJ at SUR restaurant and aspiring music producer.
Over successive seasons, Leviss evolved from a peripheral figure in the background of the main cast to a full-time, core ensemble member, documenting her career transitions and evolving personal life on screen.
Key Storylines and Engagement
Her time on the show featured major personal milestones, including her romantic engagement to James Kennedy. Cameras documented their relationship dynamics leading up to their eventual separation.
Following her separation from Kennedy, Leviss managed single life within the tight-knit social circle of the show, increasing her screen time and solidifying her status as a recognized pop culture fixture.
The 2023 Scandoval Phenomenon and Public Fallout
The Affair and Reality Television Impact
In March 2023, Leviss became the central figure in one of the most widely discussed pop culture scandals in modern reality television history, colloquially dubbed Scandoval. Investigative reports and subsequent Bravo broadcasts revealed that Leviss had engaged in a months-long affair with Tom Sandoval, a foundational cast member who was simultaneously in a nine-year relationship with her close friend and co-star Ariana Madix.
The revelation triggered immediate and intense public backlash across social media platforms, mainstream news outlets, and entertainment networks, resulting in severe scrutiny, brand boycotts, and a temporary withdrawal by Leviss from public life.
Departure from Vanderpump Rules
Following the intense media storm, Leviss chose not to return for subsequent seasons of Vanderpump Rules. Her decision was driven by the necessity of mental health recovery, establishing strict personal boundaries, and disputes regarding compensation parity with her fellow long-standing cast members.
Her exit marked a definitive end to her tenure in traditional unscripted television ensembles, prompting a pivot toward independent media ventures and personal healing.
Mental Health Advocacy and Sound Healing
Treatment and Trauma Recovery
Following her departure from Vanderpump Rules, Leviss redirected her professional focus toward mental health advocacy, trauma recovery, and alternative wellness practices. She checked into a mental health facility to address issues related to codependency, public shaming, and unresolved childhood trauma.
Her public transparency regarding psychological treatment contributed to wider conversations surrounding the emotional tolls experienced by reality television participants.
Certification in Sound Healing
As part of her holistic recovery process, Leviss pursued formal training in acoustic frequencies, crystal singing bowls, and nervous system regulation. She earned official certification as a sound healer.
She utilizes these modalities to promote emotional resilience, stress reduction, and mental clarity, integrating alternative healing practices into her daily routine and public wellness platform.
Independent Media Ventures: Rachel Goes Orbit
Podcast Launch and Content Strategy
In 2024, Leviss marked her return to public life through the launch of her independent weekly podcast, titled Rachel Goes Orbit. The podcast serves as a platform for deconstructing the realities of unscripted television, discussing mental health, and interviewing guests on holistic wellness.
Through this digital venture, she maintains direct creative control over her narrative, bypassing traditional network structures to connect with her audience on her own terms.
Complete Television and Podcast Portfolio
Beyond her multi-season run on Vanderpump Rules, Leviss has participated in various television broadcasts, talk shows, and digital podcast platforms. Her official media credits reflect a diverse range of appearances across entertainment news and talk programming.
- Vanderpump Rules (Bravo): Main cast member across multiple seasons documenting her social and professional life in West Hollywood.
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (Bravo): Multiple guest appearances and interactive interview segments discussing show developments.
- Dish Nation (Syndicated Entertainment News): Guest correspondent and personality features covering pop culture trends.
- Extra (Syndicated Television News): Interview subject and featured guest addressing major career transitions.
- Rachel Goes Orbit (Independent Podcast): Host, creator, and executive producer delivering weekly conversational episodes.
Philanthropic Endeavors and Animal Welfare
Away from television cameras and podcast microphones, Leviss maintains an active involvement in philanthropic initiatives, focusing heavily on animal welfare and rescue organizations.
Her charitable work includes active support for the Vanderpump Dog Foundation, where she has volunteered time and raised awareness for rescue animals throughout the Southern California region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the birth date and age of Rachel Leviss?
Rachel Leviss was born on September 12, 1994. As of September 2026, she is 32 years old.
Who are the biological parents of Rachel Leviss?
Her biological parents are Carey Leviss and Susan Couture. She was adopted at birth and raised by her aunt, Laura Martin.
What is the educational background of Rachel Leviss?
She graduated from Sonoma State University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, focusing on pre-occupational therapy.
Why did Rachel Leviss leave Vanderpump Rules?
She left the show following the 2023 Scandoval controversy to prioritize her mental health recovery, establish personal boundaries, and address compensation concerns.
What is the name of the podcast hosted by Rachel Leviss?
She hosts an independent weekly podcast titled Rachel Goes Orbit, focusing on reality television deconstruction and mental wellness.
