Lisa Vanderpump is looking back at how the Scandoval drama affected Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz’s bar TomTom in West Hollywood.
When speaking about what fans can expect to be discussed on Vanderpump Rules’ upcoming season, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 63, dished on how Sandoval and Rachel ‘Raquel’ Leviss’ affair led to boycotts of TomTom, which she helped open, and Schwartz & Sandy’s.
‘We talk a lot about that,’ she told Us Weekly. ‘There’s a lot of backlash, and I don’t [quite] think the punishment fits the crime when it’s the whole world against you.’
The TV personality continued: ‘So, I was there to try and facilitate some kind of cohesion.’
Lisa Vanderpump is looking back at how the Scandoval drama affected Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz’s bar TomTom in West Hollywood
When speaking about what fans can expect to be discussed on Vanderpump Rules’ upcoming season, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 63, dished on how Sandoval and Rachel ‘Raquel’ Leviss’ affair led to boycotts of TomTom, which she helped open, and Schwartz & Sandy’s
After news broke that Sandoval cheated on Ariana Madix in March 2023, angry fans began to write negative reviews of his businesses and shared posts urging others to avoid going to either of his bars.
At the time, Sandoval pleaded with fans not to attack his loved ones and colleagues over his actions.
‘Hey, I fully understand and deserve ur anger & disappointment towards me, but please leave [Tom] Schwartz, my friends, and family out of this situation…’ he wrote.
Sandoval then clarified that Schwartz, his longtime best friend and business partner, had only learned of his infidelity ‘very recently’ and ‘did not condone’ his actions.
‘This was a very personal thing. Also, Schwartz & Sandy’s might have my name on it, but also there are 3 other partners and 20 employees, who especially rely on the restaurant for income for them and their families,’ Sandoval said, nodding to his new bar and TomTom, which opened back in 2018.
The actor went on to say he was a ‘small part of a much bigger thing’ and begged his followers to direct their ‘anger towards’ him and not his associates.
‘They did nothing wrong. I’m so sorry that my partners, Greg, Brett, and Schwartz and our employees have to suffer for my actions. I will be taking a step back & taking a hiatus out of respect for my employees and partners. I need some time to address everything else,’ he concluded. ‘Sorry for everything.’
While Sandoval will continue to star in Bravo’s hit series, Vanderpump Rules, his ex chose not to return after checking into a long-term mental health facility.
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‘We talk a lot about that,’ she told Us Weekly. ‘There’s a lot of backlash, and I don’t [quite] think the punishment fits the crime when it’s the whole world against you’
The TV personality continued: ‘So, I was there to try and facilitate some kind of cohesion’
On New Year’s Eve, Leviss vowed to be a ‘better friend’ as she reflected on enduring through her ‘hardest year yet.’
‘My life had become completely unmanageable and I was so far down the rabbit hole of making bad decisions that I NEEDED help. I’m so blessed I was able to get the help I needed. Now, I finally feel like I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,’ she captioned an Instagram photo of her smiling with her eyes shut.
The reality star continued: ‘As we set intentions into the new year, I vow to be a better friend to the ones close in my life. To those that have stood by me through my darkest days, I will always remember and cherish you. Eternally grateful for a second chance. Here’s to an epic 2024!’
On New Year’s Eve, Leviss vowed to be a ‘better friend’ as she reflected on enduring through her ‘hardest year yet’
The Scandoval affair broke in March when Ariana Madix, 38, learned that her longtime boyfriend Tom Sandoval, 40, had a months-long affair with her good friend Rachel, who previously went by the first name Raquel on the Bravo reality show.
Ariana and Tom immediately split and viewers looked for signs of the affair during season 10 of Vanderpump Rules that concluded in May with a season finale episode titled ‘#Scandoval’.
Tom and Raquel later appeared on the reunion episodes and were eviscerated by Ariana for their joint betrayal.
Ariana persevered and later competed on Dancing With The Stars where she finished in third place on December 5 with pro partner Pasha Pashkov.
The blonde beauty memorably channeled Britney Spears as she performed to I’m A Slave 4 U during Music Video Night in November.
Ariana announced on December 6 that she will make her Broadway debut in the role of Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago.
Ariana will take on the role for eight weeks starting on January 29 and called it her ‘biggest dream’ come true.
Tom in the aftermath of the Scandoval affair competed on the celebrity reality show Special Forces: World’s Toughest Yet, but was disqualified before completing the training.
He admitted during the season two premiere on Fox in September that he wanted to be ‘punished’ and in a confessional said the past few months had been the ‘darkest months’ of his life.
‘My life had become completely unmanageable and I was so far down the rabbit hole of making bad decisions that I NEEDED help. I’m so blessed I was able to get the help I needed. Now, I finally feel like I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,’ she captioned an Instagram photo of her smiling with her eyes shut (pictured in December 2023)
The reality star continued: ‘As we set intentions into the new year, I vow to be a better friend to the ones close in my life. To those that have stood by me through my darkest days, I will always remember and cherish you. Eternally grateful for a second chance. Here’s to an epic 2024!’
Tom in the aftermath of the Scandoval affair competed on the celebrity reality show Special Forces: World’s Toughest Yet , but was disqualified before completing the training
Ariana Madix is shown earlier this month with pro partner Pasha Pashkov on Dancing With The Stars
Rachel last month announced her new podcast, Rachel Goes Rogue, that’s set to debut in January 2024.
She made her first appearance on Vanderpump Rules as a guest during season five. She went on to get bumped up to recurring role status for the next three seasons, and then main cast for seasons nine and 10.
It was announced earlier this month that season 11 will premiere on January 30, 2024, with Ariana, Sandoval, Lisa Vanderpump, Tom Schwartz, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Lala Kent, James Kennedy and Ally Lewber all returning alongside Brock Davies in a recurring capacity.
Rachel did not return for season 11 following the Scandoval affair.
