Raquel Leviss is re-envisioning the direction for her life. After ending her engagement to James Kennedy late last year, it seems that the Vanderpump Rules beauty’s personal life isn’t the only arena that is evolving. Certainly having time and energy to focus on oneself can work wonders for ambitions and dreams.
Indeed, Raquel is a seasoned pageant participant. She’s mentioned her pageant career in prior interviews, but a recent post on social media shared some news about that career. According to a recent Instagram post, Raquel is currently preparing for the Miss California USA competition however, she anticipates that it will be her last performance.
Raquel had just completed a photo shoot for the pageant before posting an image of herself sitting in her car. She labeled the moment,”bittersweet,” People reported.
“I just wrapped my last ever Miss California USA headshot,” Raquel wrote. “It’s so bittersweet knowing this will be the last time I compete in a state pageant. Fingers crossed that it won’t be my last pageant ever and that I will have the opportunity to represent California on the Miss USA stage.”
Raquel reminisced about what she enjoyed the most about competing, and the impact it had on her. She continued, “You may know me as the ‘the pageant girl’ but my one wish is to debunk the stereotype that comes to mind. Through this experience I’ve met some of the most kindhearted girls who truly want to leave a positive impact on our world.”
The famously soft-spoken Sur waitress seemed to find her voice on Vanderpump Rules Season 9. Maybe enough confrontations with Lala Kent will do that to a person, but Raquel also credits participation in pageants. She explained, “the two things I have always strived for, as I completed on and off throughout the years of my young adult life, were self-improvement and building confidence. Looking back at the times I did compete, I truly see such a beautiful transformation and I owe a lot of that to pageantry.”
Raquel added, “I am so proud of the woman I have become. My thoughts and opinions are not only important but they are kind and beautiful.”
Championing her fans to work on their own self-esteem, Raquel then shared some advice. “A unique perspective is meant to be shared,” she wrote, “if you have self doubt, try to understand why you’re seeking approval from others. Then turn around and give your younger self the validation that you have always deserved.”
“Smiling and tearing up,” Raquel concluded. It seems she is having difficulty concluding this chapter of her life. Certainly, pageantry was a very influential part of her life.
Contrast this with her reaction after splitting up with James. Hey, when it’s time to move on, you know. When VPR costar Scheana Shay had Raquel on her “Scheananigans” podcast, she asked her to describe the breakup. Raquel responded, “So I just told him, ‘Truly, my heart isn’t in it anymore. I don’t appreciate the way that you treat other people; it’s not how I treat other people.’”
Here’s to wishing Raquel best of luck at the Miss California USA pageant.