Tom Sandoval is no longer a part of Vanderpump Rules , but his efforts to overhaul his public image continue. The former bartender, who was in a relationship with his costar Ariana Madix for nearly a decade, fell from grace after his affair with costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss was exposed during season 10. The scandal caused viewers to reconsider Tom’s past behavior, and he was quickly branded a villain. Vanderpump Rules season 11 saw Tom attempting to salvage his reputation within a cast that had largely turned against him.
While “Scandoval” was one of the biggest headlines of 2023, the show struggled in its aftermath. With the cast divided and Tom an outsider, Vanderpump Rules lacked a clear direction. In November 2024, Bravo announced its intention to refresh the show with a brand-new cast. Tom’s 11-year television career has come to an end, but that doesn’t mean he’s disappearing from the public eye.
Tom Closed Down His Restaurant With Tom Schwartz
Schwartz & Sandy’s Suffered After Tom’s Cheating Scandal
While the rest of the Vanderpump Rules cast shunned him, Tom’s one remaining ally has been his best friend, Tom Schwartz. The two Toms took their friendship to the next level by partnering in several Los Angeles restaurants. Their first venture was TomTom, which they opened with the help of Lisa Vanderpump. As the two outgrew their partnership with Lisa, they shifted their focus to their other establishment, Schwartz and Sandy’s.
The Tom’s poured their time and savings into Schwartz and Sandy’s, which opened in November 2022, but the negativity surrounding Scandoval just months later had a detrimental impact on the business. Schwartz told People, “It’s already a tough business, and the damage from relentless negative press over the last year made it even harder.” After struggling to remain afloat, they announced that Schwartz and Sandy’s would be closing only two years after it opened its doors.
Tom Has A New Girlfriend
They’ve Been Together For Nearly A Year
Tom found love again soon after his brutal breakup with Ariana. He announced his relationship with model Victoria Lee Robinson in February 2024. Although Tom’s romantic history has been the subject of heavy criticism, Victoria was quick to shoot down comparisons to his past relationships. Victoria commented on Tom’s photos of the couple attending the Emmy’s together, “If we can not compare me to women in his past. ALL women are beautiful in their own way. It’s not nice or respectful to ever compare. When in our personal lives we are trying to move on from the past.”
Tom and Victoria are still going strong in 2025, and their most recent focus has been helping their community after the devastating Los Angeles wildfires. Tom wrote the couple had volunteered with the city’s smallest victims as they rescued animals affected by the fires. Victoria later posted she and Tom were fostering a puppy while asking their followers to do the same. Despite the scrutiny of Tom’s past behavior, his strong relationship with Victoria suggests his self-reflection may have paid off and led him in a healthier direction.
Tom Is On The Traitors Season 3
The Show Currently Airs On Peacock
Tom isn’t wasting any time returning to screens after the end of his Vanderpump Rules career. He is currently on The Traitors season 3, which premiered on Peacock in early January 2025. Tom joins celebrities such as Nikki Bella, Sam Asghari, Chrishell Stause, and more competing for the chance to win $250,000. Despite the change of scenery, Tom still can’t shake his reputation, with many of his costars instantly casting judgment on the disgraced star.
While Tom’s the first Vanderpump Rules alum to appear on the show, this isn’t his first experience with competition shows. He previously appeared in Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test season 2 and The Masked Singer season 10. Although his notoriety continues to follow him, Tom’s efforts prove his dedication to reinventing his public image.
What’s Next For Tom?
He Continues To Rebuild His Life After VPR
After so much of his life has unfolded onscreen, Tom is still processing the end of his Vanderpump Rules career. Tom wrote on Instagram he was “overwhelmed with so many emotions” but “filled with gratitude for the learning experience.” Fortunately, he has several other avenues to explore as he moves forward.
Tom launched his own podcast, Everybody Loves Tom, in 2024. While he hasn’t released a new episode since October, it’s unclear whether the podcast has ended or is just on hiatus. Tom’s next move will take him back to his musical roots. His band, Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras is set to resume touring in February 2025.
Meanwhile, Tom’s personal life may finally be improving. After sharing a house with Ariana while the exes battled over their property, the former couple agreed to sell the home in late 2024. Tom now lives with Victoria, providing him with a fresh start and some much-needed distance from his past.
Less than two years ago, it was impossible to imagine Tom’s reputation ever being restored. But as Scandoval fades from the public’s memory and Vanderpump Rules moves in a new direction, Tom is seizing the opportunity to rebrand himself and rise above the scandal. He still has a long way to go, but it’s possible Tom could find his redemption sooner rather than later.
