Inside Tom Schwartz's Otherworldly Experience: Unveiling the Mind-Blowing Secrets Behind 'Stars on Mars' Production

Tom Schwartz and his fellow cast members of Stars on Mars didn't physically leave Earth for the Fox reality show, but the experience made him feel as though he had ventured into outer space. During an exclusive interview with We, the 40-year-old Vanderpump Rules star revealed that erecting a communication tower and reattaching satellites amidst a full-blown dust storm made him truly believe he was on another planet. The realistic environment created by the show's creators added to the immersive experience.

Schwartz is among 12 celebrities vying for supremacy on the show, which premiered earlier this month. The participants engage in diverse trials crafted to replicate a journey to Mars, ultimately determining who can endure the longest on the crimson planet.

The show's producers attempted to recreate the Mars-like atmosphere by filming in Coober Pedy, Australia, known for its red deserts and opal mines in the state of South Australia. Tom Schwartz and Brook Rushton were involved in the project.

Schwartz described the entire experience as surreal and out of this world. He compared it to being on Mars, saying that it was the closest thing to the red planet on Earth. He found the city to be captivating, particularly its underground structures that were necessary due to the extreme heat.

Another factor that contributed to Schwartz's immersion in the experience was the restriction on using phones during filming. He admitted to spending an excessive amount of time on screens in his daily life, so the opportunity to disconnect was a welcome change. He saw this retreat as a fortunate break and an exciting adventure in his life. It felt like a precious gift from the universe.

Tom Schwartz. Brook Rushton/FOX

Schwartz acknowledged a sense of guilt when he departed to shoot Stars on Mars shortly after the opening of his bar, Schwartz & Sandy's. However, the lively atmosphere and camaraderie on set swiftly alleviated his guilt.

"Instantly, everything took on a different perspective," he shared, mentioning that he has maintained connections with some of his fellow actors. "Within a mere day or two, I adjusted to life on Mars within our habitat. And, truth be told, I began to develop a fondness for it."

Filming the show helped him discover the art of embracing spontaneity, as he expressed the need for a refreshing mixture of lightheartedness and thrill. Recognizing his struggles with his divorce from Katie Maloney and the challenging journey of establishing Schwartz & Sandy's, he admitted to feeling a bit lost in recent years. However, being a part of the show provided him with a new outlook on life.

Catch Stars on Mars on Fox every Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi