Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz Reflect on Overwhelming Response to Scandoval
Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval discuss the overwhelming and alarming response to Scandoval, sharing their insights at BravoCon 2023
Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz discussed the impact that the public's intense response to Scandoval had on them.
"It's a strange experience to be publicly criticized," Schwartz, 41, shared exclusively with We on Friday, November 3, after the Vanderpump Rules panel at BravoCon. "I was seen as guilty by association or however people wanted to label it, but it was often quite surreal. There were moments where I could find humor in the absurdity of it, but other times it was genuinely sad and even frightening."
Schwartz hinted that he and Sandoval will be able to revisit the DMs they received during the scandal at some point in the future.
Earlier that day, Us confirmed that Sandoval faced repeated boos during the reality series' panel on the first day of BravoCon in Las Vegas, which will run until Sunday, November 5. On stage, moderator Karamo Brown asked the cast, including Ariana Madix, Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, James Kennedy, Scheana Shay, Schwartz, and Sandoval, if anyone felt nervous about being there. As a response, Sandoval raised his hand, leading to a negative reaction from the audience.
The panel unfolded as Sandoval had anticipated, and he expressed his amusement at being booed by the audience.
"It felt great," Sandoval chuckled in his conversation with Us. "It's a humbling experience, to say the least. Keeps you down to earth, you know?"
Rich Polk/Bravo
In March, a scandalous revelation shook the reality TV world as news broke that Sandoval had been engaged in a months-long affair with his co-star Raquel Leviss while he was in a relationship with Madix, who had been together for nine long years. The infamous scandal, commonly known as Scandoval, ultimately led to the end of the relationship between Sandoval and Madix.
Sandoval admitted to Us that the intense public scrutiny made him consider not coming back to VPR after season 10. However, he ultimately chose to stay for the next season, believing that facing challenges is important during tough times.
The official teaser trailer for the 11th season of VPR was released during day one of BravoCon, giving a glimpse of the upcoming feuds, fights, and fallouts among the stars. The highly anticipated show is scheduled to make its return to television screens in January 2024.
