Scheana Shay Spills Exclusive Details: Why She's Ecstatic to Share Explosive 'Pump Rules' Footage with Tom Sandoval!

Scheana Shay gave her response to Tom Sandoval's allegations that he only agreed to have a conversation with her on Vanderpump Rules in return for a ticket to Winter House. "If I were in his shoes, I suppose I would have done the same. Unfortunately, it didn't go well for him," stated Shay, 38, in an exclusive interview with We on October 4, where she was promoting her collaboration with Ninja, an appliance brand. She further mentioned, "Well, I'm grateful that he filmed with me."

During the premiere of his podcast "Everybody Loves Tom," Sandoval, who is 41 years old, hinted that his decision to film with Shay and costar Lisa Vanderpump was contingent upon being able to appear on Bravo's Winter House.

According to Sandoval, he agreed to film after being enticed with the opportunity, but after shooting the scene with Shay and Vanderpump, who is 63 years old, Bravo supposedly refused to allow him to participate in the spinoff set in Vermont.

Shay, on her end, has no regrets about agreeing to shoot with Sandoval.

"I believe that scene was incredibly authentic and genuine. It depicted the breakdown of a 15-year friendship due to his actions," she shared with Us. "I think it was necessary for the show to include that. While his conversation with Ariana [Madix] was important, there was a need for another perspective, and I felt I was able to provide that in my conversation with him."

She remarked, "I'm not implying it was because of that particular scene, but I want to mention that we have been nominated for two Emmys!"

In March, it was confirmed by Us that Sandoval and Madix, aged 38, had ended their nine-year relationship due to Sandoval engaging in a lengthy affair with his co-star Raquel Leviss. The scandal resulted in the severance of many of Sandoval's friendships within the Vanderpump Rules cast, including Shay. By the season 10 reunion, which was aired in May and June, Sandoval found himself isolated with only Tom Schwartz and Leviss, aged 28, supporting him. (Both Schwartz, aged 40, and Leviss have subsequently severed ties with Sandoval as well.)

Scheana Shay, Tom Sandoval. Getty Images (2)

Shay explained her reason for agreeing to speak with Sandoval on camera despite the scandal gaining attention. "He has always been a close friend to me, and that is what made it particularly difficult. I've always been someone who thinks, 'Well, you didn't do this to me,' but there was a unique aspect to this situation that made it feel more personal," she shared with Us. "Although he didn't cheat on me, he did betray my trust and lie to me. There were additional factors involved."

Shay hinted that additional conversations would be featured on Vanderpump Rules season 11, expressing the difficulty she faced due to the friendship drama with someone she has known for a long time. Losing him because of his actions was extremely difficult for her, and she remained unsure if Sandoval had truly matured after the scandal.

The drama also had a negative impact on Shay's overall well-being, leading to a significant weight loss.

"I avoided checking my weight for several months because once I saw that I dropped below 100 pounds, I realized it was not a healthy situation," Shay stated on Wednesday. She added that she has since regained the lost weight and now feels much better and healthier. "I have resumed my workouts with my trainer, which I had completely neglected before."

She continued to explain her fitness journey and the importance of not neglecting her nutrition. Despite not intentionally starving herself, she sometimes forgets to eat due to her busy schedule. She ensures that her daughter is well-fed and occasionally eats her leftovers. However, she acknowledges that this habit is not beneficial for her own health. Alongside her workouts, Shay starts her day by preparing a customized sparkling water drink using Ninja's Thirsti appliance.

"[Strawberry and lemonade] are my top choices. I absolutely love the combination, but I also enjoy the peach mango for a burst of energy," she raved. "It's the ideal option for me in the middle of the day because most energy drinks contain around 200 milligrams of caffeine, which is a bit excessive. I don't want to feel overly stimulated or jittery. With just 50 milligrams per 12 ounces, this drink provides the perfect amount of energy to power through the rest of my day, yet still allows me to sleep at night. ... It has completely replaced my need for energy drinks and provides me with just the right amount of energy I require."

(Source: Christina Garibaldi)

In this article

Scheana Shay

Tom Sandoval

Vanderpump Rules

Winter House