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Oct 28, 2023

Raquel's Lightning Bolt Necklace, Tom Sandoval's Costume: Reactions

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Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval explained their fashion choices during theVanderpump Rules Season 10 reunion and the cast had some thoughts.

From stuffed bunnies to a bowl of lemons, some signifiers have become instantly recognizable to Bravoholics over the years. After this groundbreaking season of Vanderpump Rules, two more items have been added to that list of iconic (and often infamous) objects of Bravo history: a TomTom hoodie and a lightning bolt necklace.

Watch Vanderpump Rules on Bravo Wed. 9/8c. Stream next day and catch up on past seasons on Peacock.

For starters, the black TomTom hoodie, which has a sparkling lightning bolt and the logo for Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz's West Hollywood restaurant, caused controversy in October 2022 when Raquel Leviss wore the look for BravoCon 2022. At the time, fans and Vanderpump Rules cast members only knew of Raquel's fling with Schwartz, but the California native still faced some backlash on the subject.

Moreover, when news of Sandoval and Raquel's relationship broke, fans recalled not only Raquel wearing the hoodie to BravoCon, but Tom dressing up in a similar outfit for Halloween, i.e. after the pair began seeing each other. During Part 3 of the Vanderpump Rules Season 10 reunion, which aired on June 7, host Andy Cohen pressed Sandoval on the matter, prompting him to explain the reason behind the costume choice.

"Sandoval, last Halloween you actually dressed up as Raquel," Andy began, as Ariana Madix sarcastically chimed in: "Yeah! I helped you do it!"

Andy continued: "You never felt like that was brazen or ... leading the witness?"

Lisa Vanderpump incredulously stepped in, saying how "bizarre" the behavior was, to which Tom tried to explain that it was "a thing online" he was attempting to make a joke about.

On Season 10 Episode 14 of Vanderpump Rules which aired on May 10, Raquel purchased a buzzed-about accessory that's had fans talking for months: a lightning-bolt necklace that generated numerous theories about the SURver's relationship with Sandoval, who sported a similar piece of jewelry.

During the reunion, Andy also pressed Raquel about the thought process behind the purchase, questioning if fan theories about its significance held any water.

"Does that necklace have the meaning we all think it does?" Andy asked.

"Yeah, it was significant to who [Tom] became in my life and ... I know that's not what anyone wants to hear," Raquel reluctantly shared.

While Raquel's ex-fiancé, James Kennedy, stepped in to say how "gross" the situation was, Lisa interjected with her take on the matter, trying to make sense of what motivated Raquel to make the purchase.

"I don't understand this, because you knew it was on camera!" Lisa exclaimed regarding the conversation of the necklace. "It was so provocative. It's just ... [why not have] the conversation with Ariana? [...] It's almost like in your mind you were in some pageant like you were acting a part competing with these other women."

After Raquel noted she was "cringing so hard" watching the episode back of herself making the purchase, Lisa again reiterated her sentiments.

"How did you feel? When you looked [Ariana] in the eyes — this person who has loved you and defended you —," Lisa asked, to which Raquel responded, "I feel like a piece of sh-t."

Lisa added: "To me, that's the most mind-boggling, gob-smacking, astounding piece of film I have ever seen!"