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Vanderpump Rules fans have watched many romances, friendships, and bromances come and go over ten seasons. But one pair that have stood the test of time are Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval. In fact, so great is their bond that the duo went from being mere stars to friends and now trusted business partners. However, in the wake of Scandoval, many Vanderpump Rules stars believe Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval’s bromance wasn’t all rosy after all.
Vanderpump Rules: A Tale of Two Toms
Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval, the co-founders of TomTom, began their friendship as roommates after Schwartz responded to a Craigslist ad. Shortly after becoming roommates with Sandoval, the first season of VPR premiered. Schwartz appeared as a recurring cast member for two seasons before becoming a series regular.
Their friendship fast grew into an empire following their decision to establish their bar in West Hollywood. The establishment became a success, and before long, they opened another bar, Schwartz & Sandy’s, in Franklin Village. Their dedication to their joint business ventures often came at the detriment of their relationships.
First, Tom Schwartz’s then-wife, Katie Maloney, filed for divorce from him, claiming his business and bond with Sandoval affected their relationship. Eventually, Sandoval’s nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix also fell apart.
After news broke of Sandoval’s affair with Raquel Leviss while still dating Madix, things became even more complicated. Aside from Sandoval’s relationship with Madix ending for good, several angry fans took out their frustration by throwing daggers at Sandoval’s (and Schwartz’s) two businesses.
Viewers also expected some form of gory reaction from Schwartz, who also had a fling with Leviss months prior. However, his comments so far suggest he has no qualms about having his friend and business partner pairing up with his former fling. Fans believe Tom Schwartz was harboring more resentment than he was letting out.
VPR Schwartz’s Underhanded Comments About Tom Sandoval’s Affair Have A Bitter Undertone
Vanderpump Rules season 10 has given more insight into Raquel Leviss’ backstory with both Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval. And one thing viewers picked up is Leviss’ tendency to seek romantic affiliation in the most controversial places. In several season 10 episodes, Schwartz made snide remarks about this side of Leviss in his conversations with Sandoval. In an April 2023 episode, Schwartz admitted his feelings for Leviss. He added that despite how much he appreciated the waitress, he was no longer attracted to her and had the gut feeling that she had a crush on someone else.
In response, Sandoval, who was already secretly involved with the SUR waitress at the time, dismissed Schwartz’s concerns, saying he didn’t have to be interested in her. Fans believe the simple conversation was Schwartz’s way of getting his friend to admit his suspicions. Reddit user, Kolkolkol hinted at this encounter as proof that Schwartz resented Sandoval, saying,
“The cringy comments Schwartz has been making about thinking Raquel has a crush on someone/“taken men” being Raquel’s type are not supposed to be fun inside jokes with Sandoval. They’re meant to make Sandoval squirm on camera.”
Tom Schwartz Resents Sandoval
byu/kokolkol invanderpumprules
Schwartz has also made comments implying his friend was obsessed with Leviss, albeit in a bid to defend him. But some fans believe his comments were not as noble or well-intentioned as they appear. One commented,
“I think the underhanded comments are him imploding. As terrible as it was for him to go along with the cover-up, this guy seems to be a ticking time bomb.”
Tom Sandoval’s Actions Negatively Impacted His and Schwartz’s Businesses
The blowup of Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss’ cheating scandal earned the pair a lot of vitriol among their peers and fans. Ultimately, several ventures linked to Sandoval suffered from it, including TomTom bar and Schwartz & Sandy’s. In an Instagram apology following the scandal, Sandoval openly apologized to viewers and everyone hurt by his actions. He also urged angry fans to leave Schwartz and, by extension, their business ventures out of it, as he knew nothing about the affair. But an apology could only go so far. Reacting to Reddit user Kolkolkol’s post, Both-Main-6018 weighed in on the future of their business venture, saying,
“I predict in a year that Schwartz and Sandoval will no longer be friends. LVP will buy them out of TomTom- she will keep the name but the picture of Tom and Tom kissing will be removed from the wall. Schwartz will pull out of Schwartz and Sandy’s. Schwartz and Sandy’s will be renamed.”
Another user believed Schwartz despised the fact that his friend put their business at risk, knowing how much it mattered to him. According to the user, having lost his ex-wife, Katie Maloney, among other things, just to have his business up and running, the idea of losing the business certainly wouldn’t sit well with him. The comment read,
“This restaurant was the final straw for Katie, who then left him, and Sandoval goes and trashed both their reputations and puts that bar in jeopardy. Schwartz has literally lost it all except for Sandoval, who is just using him at this point.”
Aside from negative publicity, Sandoval has spent substantial time away from their business in the wake of the scandal. By implication, his input into their joint venture has dropped drastically, making Schwartz take the bulk of the work.
Fans Believe Tom Schwartz’s Indifference To Sandoval and Leviss’Affair Is Unrealistic
For many Vanderpump Rules fans, Tom Schwartz is taking his friend’s affair with Leviss too well. While this may seem like his loyalty to the “bro code,” there is a fine line between friendship and romance, especially when one’s reputation was at stake.
Since the Scandoval blowup, Schwartz has taken the heat for his friend’s actions in more ways than one. While many bashed him for betraying Katie by becoming involved with Leviss, others believed he knew about the affair and only had his fling with Leviss at Scheana Shay’s wedding as a cover-up.
His comments defending Sandoval have not helped either. During Schwartz’s appearance on Watch What Happens Live on April 5, 2023, the restauranter all but painted his friend as the victim, earning backlash from Katie and a hoard of angry fans. He said at the time,
“Tom, I know the whole world hates you. But I’m not going to abandon you, old buddy. I’m not going to abandon you. He knows he’s a monster for what he did. If you see him, maybe give him a hug. Even if he doesn’t deserve it, give him a hug. He’s down bad.”
Schwartz has since become as involved in the ‘Scandoval’ as his friend, putting a dent in his reputation. Surely, that is enough to tick anyone off. Apparently, now Schwartz and most fans believe it is too good to be true. One Reddit user wrote,
“He [Schwartz] probably is pissed that he’s getting heat for Raquel when Sandoval was the one banging her on the side.”
Additionally, Sandoval’s affair with Leviss ultimately blew any chances Schwartz may have had with her, and many Vanderump Rules relationships have ended on more trivial grounds.