Tom Schwartz doesn’t want any more to do with “Scandoval.”
While filming a confessional for his new Fox reality show, Stars on Mars, the Vanderpump Rules star claimed that he’s “permanently done” with talking about his best friend Tom Sandoval’s affair with co-star Raquel Leviss. He feels that he’s become collateral damage in the process.
“Any sort of version of [Sandoval’s] side of the story has become obsolete because of the way he handled it,” Schwartz stated. “And ultimately, that’s his life. I did not have an affair. I am not him, and it’s just so strange that I’ve been absolutely mired in this.”
Schwartz has faced public backlash for the role he allegedly played in covering up Sandoval’s affair. After the affair went public, it was discovered that he had known about the dalliance for months and had chosen not to share it with Tom’s ex-partner, Ariana Madix. He also gave a critically panned interview with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, where he incoherently rambled on and on and asked fans to go easy on Sandoval because “he’s down bad” and needed a “hug.”
The Schwartz & Sandy’s co-owner seemingly referenced the interview’s backlash during the confessional as he lamented, “It’s just incredibly messed up, and it seems each time I weigh in or try to talk about it — ramble on about it, drivel on — I inevitably sound like I’m somehow justifying it or making excuses for it. And I’m not. Because, you know, there’s just no excuse for it.”
At one point during the latest episode of Stars on Mars, Schwartz confided in co-star Natasha Leggero, telling her that the scandal has left him feeling “angst” toward Sandoval.
“It’s been a huge source of angst in my life,” he said. “I’ve been in this extended funk. It’s horrible, and I feel complicit because I didn’t cover for him, but I had his back. He came to me and confided in me that he was in love with someone else.”
Elsewhere in the confessional, Schwartz commented on how viral and public Sandoval and Raquel’s affair became, noting that it had “taken on a life of its own.”
Schwartz said he’s “done” with “Scandoval” after his latest reality stint is completed, and he’s taking a step back from his friendship with Sandoval for his own sake.
“After this, I’m stepping away from it permanently,” he concluded to the cameras.
Schwartz talked more about his decision to distance himself from Sandoval and the backlash he’s suffered because of his friend on an episode of his former co-stars Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright’s podcast, When Reality Hits.
“I’m taking a break from Tom right now,” he told the couple. “I haven’t seen him in a while. He made a big mess, and he left it for us to clean up back at the businesses. It’s hard for me not to feel resentful of him.”
As Schwartz has been filming Stars on Mars, Sandoval has been busy touring with his cover band, Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras. Raquel has checked herself into a mental health facility to focus on her emotional well-being following the affair’s exposure, and she is still presently there.
