Analyzing the Controversial Criminal Comparisons of Tom Sandoval Post Cheating Scandal

Breaking Down Every Criminal That Tom Sandoval Has Compared Himself To After His Cheating Scandal

Tom Sandoval. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for JBL

After his cheating scandal, Tom Sandoval has been compared to several convicted criminals.

Sandoval rose to fame in 2013 when he appeared on Vanderpump Rules. However, his image took a hit when news of his affair with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss broke in March 2023. Despite the controversy, Sandoval continued to stay in the public eye by going on tour with his band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, competing on Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, and launching his own podcast called “Everybody Loves Tom.”

Despite trying his hardest, Sandoval was not well-liked by fans, his Vanderpump Rules costars, and numerous celebrities.

In a February 2024 interview with New York Times Magazine, Sandoval admitted, "I used to have no respect for reality TV, and now I don't have much respect for actors either. I challenge them to try doing what we do."

Sandoval expressed frustration towards his costars for profiting from his scandal, noting that everyone benefited financially except for him. Despite this, he remains focused on making the best out of the situation for himself.

During a controversial interview, Sandoval raised eyebrows by questioning why his relationship with Leviss garnered so much attention from the media. He referenced high-profile cases like O.J. Simpson's trial, George Floyd's murder, and Danny Masterson's conviction for rape.

Sandoval apologized for his comments made in the New York Times Magazine, acknowledging that his comparison was inappropriate and ignorant. He expressed his deep regret and embarrassment through an Instagram Stories post following the swift backlash.

During season 11 of Vanderpump Rules, viewers witnessed Sandoval making a surprising connection to another criminal. In a March 2024 episode of the popular Bravo series, Sandoval shared with Tom Schwartz that he felt a resemblance to convicted murderer Scott Peterson.

Keep scrolling for Sandoval’s surprising comparisons to criminals:

O.J. Simpson

Breaking Down Every Criminal That Tom Sandoval Has Compared Himself To After His Cheating Scandal

O. J. Simpson. POOL/AFP via Getty Images

"I'm not really a pop-culture historian, but I did witness the O.J. Simpson case and the George Floyd incident. It's strange to compare the two, but do you think there's a slight similarity?" Sandoval mentioned during his profile in the New York Times Magazine in February 2024.

In the 1990s, Simpson was famously acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. However, he was later found guilty of armed robbery and kidnapping in 2007, serving a nine-year prison sentence. On the other hand, Floyd's death at the hands of Chauvin in 2020 sparked widespread Black Lives Matter protests globally.

Danny Masterson

Breaking Down Every Criminal That Tom Sandoval Has Compared Himself To After His Cheating Scandal

Sandoval shared his thoughts with the outlet about the fallout of the situation, expressing how he felt he received more hate than Danny Masterson, who is a convicted rapist.

Masterson, who rose to fame as an original cast member on That ‘70s Show, is currently serving out his 30-year sentence after being found guilty on two counts of rape.

Scott Peterson

Breaking Down Every Criminal That Tom Sandoval Has Compared Himself To After His Cheating Scandal

Scott Peterson. Al Golub-Pool/Getty Images

In an episode of Vanderpump Rules from March 2024, Schwartz attempted to reassure Sandoval that the negative public scrutiny would eventually fade away. However, Sandoval remained skeptical.

Sandoval expressed his disbelief by saying, "No way. This comparison is completely off. I feel like I'm being treated as if I'm Scott Peterson. It's going to stick with me just like Scott Peterson."

Schwartz challenged Sandoval's statement by asking, "Aren't you Scott Peterson? Didn't he kill his wife?" Sandoval simply replied, "Supposedly."

Scott Peterson was arrested in 2003 and accused of two counts of murder following the disappearance of his wife, Laci Peterson. Laci, who was eight months pregnant, was tragically discovered dead, leading to Scott becoming the main suspect.

In November 2004, Scott was convicted of the first-degree murder of Laci and the second-degree murder of the infant. Originally, he was given the death penalty, but this decision was changed in 2020. A year later, Scott was given a new sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole.

Editor's P/S:

Tom Sandoval's recent comparisons to infamous criminals have sparked controversy and raised questions about his character. Despite his attempts to apologize and distance himself from these comparisons, the damage has been done. The public's perception of Sandoval has shifted dramatically, and it remains to be seen whether he can ever