Revenge Porn Lawsuit 2026: Rachel Leviss vs Ariana Madix Appeal Denied, What Comes Next
Quick Answer
- The Leviss v. Madix revenge porn lawsuit is real and active in Los Angeles Superior Court.
- No settlement fund exists, no claims deadline, and no payout amount has been determined.
- A status hearing was set for August 11, 2026, after the appeal denial, with trial dates still pending.
Revenge Porn Lawsuit Meaning: What Leviss v. Madix Actually Claims
A revenge porn lawsuit is a civil claim against someone who shares sexually explicit images or videos without the depicted person’s consent. In this case, Rachel Leviss alleges that Ariana Madix accessed, copied, and distributed explicit videos of her that were found on Tom Sandoval’s phone .
The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2024. It names both Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval as defendants.
Leviss claims that Sandoval recorded the videos without her knowledge during private FaceTime calls. She further claims that Madix discovered those videos on Sandoval’s phone and shared them with others, including Bravo employees .
Madix denies distributing the videos beyond sending them to Leviss herself. Her legal team argued the videos were sent to Leviss to confront her about the affair, not to humiliate her publicly .
Key Takeaway: This is not a class action or a settlement fund case. It is a personal injury-style civil lawsuit between two individuals, and any money awarded would come directly from the defendant, not a pooled fund.
How Much Could Leviss Get From the Revenge Porn Lawsuit?
No payout amount has been determined because the case has not gone to trial or settled. Leviss’s original complaint sought at least $129,849 in damages, according to court documents . That figure represents claimed economic damages, not a jury award or settlement.
California Civil Code Section 1708.85 allows for statutory damages of up to $10,000 per violation for nonconsensual distribution of intimate images. Actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney’s fees may also be available if a plaintiff prevails.
| Potential Damage Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Economic damages | At least $129,849 sought in original filing |
| Statutory damages | Up to $10,000 per violation available under California law |
| Punitive damages | Possible if malice is proven |
| Attorney’s fees | Recoverable by prevailing party under the statute |
The case has not reached a stage where a judge or jury has evaluated these figures. Any settlement would remain confidential unless the parties disclose it.
Is the Rachel Leviss Lawsuit Real or a Scam?
The Leviss v. Madix lawsuit is real and verified through California court records and multiple established legal news outlets . Court documents confirm the case number and the active status of the litigation.
No one will text you about a payout from this case. There is no settlement administrator, no claims portal, and no deadline to file a claim. Anyone contacting you about a “Leviss revenge porn settlement payout” is running a scam.
Scammers often piggyback on high-profile celebrity lawsuits. They create fake websites, send texts, or post on social media claiming you qualify for money from a case you’ve never heard of. The Leviss case is between two private individuals and does not involve public claimants.
Ariana Madix Lawsuit Update: What the August 2026 Appeal Ruling Means
The California Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling that denied Madix’s anti-SLAPP motion. An anti-SLAPP motion is a legal tool used to quickly dismiss lawsuits that target protected speech or public participation .
Madix argued that her actions were protected because the affair and the videos were matters of public interest. The appellate panel disagreed.
“Leviss’ status as a person in the public eye does not mean that every aspect of her personal life was itself a matter of public concern,” the panel wrote in its tentative ruling .
The ruling means the case returns to the trial court for normal litigation. Discovery, motions, and eventually a trial date will follow. Leviss’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, said the decision was “well-reasoned” and urged the defendants to “stop playing delay games” .
Ariana Madix Supreme Court Appeal: Will the Case Go Higher?
Madix is considering filing a petition with the California Supreme Court, according to court documents obtained by TMZ . She has a limited window to file, reported as 40 days from the appellate ruling.
If Madix petitions the state Supreme Court, the court can decline to hear the case. Most petitions are denied. A denial would finalize the appellate ruling and send the case back to the trial court permanently.
If the Supreme Court accepts the case, litigation pauses again. That could add another year or more to the timeline. There is no confirmation that Madix has filed the petition as of late September 2026.
How to Check the Status of the Rachel Leviss Lawsuit
You can check the status of this case through the Los Angeles Superior Court online portal. Search by case number or party name. Court records are public.
The case number and specific court assignment are available in the original 2024 filing. The status hearing scheduled for August 11, 2026 would have addressed scheduling and next steps .
Court records will show:
- Filed motions and responses
- Scheduled hearing dates
- Judge assignments
- Any settlement notices
You do not need to register or pay to view basic case information in California Superior Court. Some documents may require a fee to download.
Who Is Affected by the Revenge Porn Lawsuit Ruling?
This case affects Rachel Leviss and Ariana Madix directly. It does not create a class of affected consumers or a pool of claimants.
However, the legal issues at stake matter beyond the parties. The appellate ruling clarifies that appearing on a reality TV show does not automatically make every aspect of your private life a matter of public concern .
That could influence how courts handle future revenge porn claims against public figures. It signals that intimate images shared without consent are not protected speech just because the people involved are famous.
For ordinary people, the case reinforces that nonconsensual distribution of intimate images is treated as illegal conduct, not simply a personal dispute.
What Happens Next in the Revenge Porn Lawsuit
The case returns to Los Angeles Superior Court for further proceedings. Discovery will resume after the two-year appellate pause.
September 2026: Madix decides whether to petition the California Supreme Court.
Late 2026: If no Supreme Court petition, discovery and pre-trial motions resume.
2027: Possible trial date, depending on court scheduling and any settlement talks.
Settlement remains possible at any stage. Most civil lawsuits resolve before trial. If this case settles, the terms would likely remain confidential unless the parties agree to disclose them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Rachel Leviss revenge porn lawsuit real?
Yes, it is a real lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2024. Court records and multiple legal news outlets confirm the case is active .
How much money will Rachel Leviss get?
No amount has been determined. Her original filing sought at least $129,849 in damages, but that is a claim, not an award . Any payout depends on trial or settlement.
Can I file a claim for money from this lawsuit?
No. This is a personal lawsuit between two individuals. There is no settlement fund, no claims process, and no deadline for the public to file anything.
Did Ariana Madix lose the appeal?
Yes. The California Court of Appeals denied her appeal on August 5, 2026, allowing the lawsuit to proceed .
Is Ariana Madix going to the California Supreme Court?
She is considering it. Court documents show she requested a delay to decide whether to petition the state’s highest court . No filing has been confirmed.
What is the revenge porn law in California?
California Civil Code Section 1708.85 creates a civil cause of action for nonconsensual distribution of intimate images. It allows statutory damages up to $10,000 per violation, plus actual damages and attorney’s fees.
When will the Leviss v. Madix trial happen?
No trial date has been set. The case returns to the trial court after the appeal. Discovery and pre-trial motions must be completed first, which could take a year or more.
