Tom Sandoval and Billie Lee first became friends after the then-SUR hostess joined the cast of Vanderpump Rules.
While Sandoval has been a mainstay on the Bravo hit since its first season in 2013, Lee joined in 2018. During her debut year at SUR, Lee — who was the show’s first transgender cast member — quickly hit it off with the TomTom founder and then-girlfriend Ariana Madix. The comedian even went on an on-camera date with Ariana’s brother, Jeremy Madix.
Lee ultimately left Vanderpump Rules after season 7 over claims that she had been bullied during her reality TV stint. Despite walking away from the show, she remained close with both Sandoval and Ariana.
However, things reached a turning point in March 2023 after news broke of Sandoval and the Lifetime actress’ breakup. (Their split came shortly after it was revealed that the Missouri native had a months-long secret affair with costar Raquel Leviss.) Lee, for her part, wanted to be there for both friends — much to her former costars’ dismay.
That month, Lee was spotted hanging out with Sandoval one-on-one as Ariana unfollowed her on Instagram. In the season 10 finale, which aired in May 2023, Kent accused Sandoval of cheating with Lee years before his affair with Leviss. “We need to open that case back up. It went cold and I don’t think it needs to be cold no more,” she said.
Scroll below to revisit Sandoval and Lee’s friendship timeline:
Miranda Siwak
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