Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval have been through their fair share of ups and downs.
After stepping back from their friendship following the fallout of “Vanderpump Rules” season 10, Schwartz revealed that the two have found their footing again — even if things look a little different now.
Tom Schwartz Opens Up About Tom Sandoval on ‘Retox Detox’
During the latest episode of his podcast “Retox Detox,” Schwartz reflected on his relationship with Sandoval while chatting with Peter Madrigal.
“Do you still speak to Tom Sandoval?” Madrigal asked.
“Yeah. He’s on tour right now,” Schwartz replied. “I was going to meet him in Texas, actually. We took a break from each other for obvious reasons and just to recalibrate.”
That break came on the heels of one of the most chaotic chapters in the show’s history. Season 10 followed Sandoval’s shocking affair with Raquel Leviss while he was still with Ariana Madix, sending shockwaves through the cast and viewers alike. Schwartz found himself caught in the middle when he admitted he had known about the relationship months before it became public, a revelation that didn’t sit well with many fans.
On the 2023 series “Stars on Mars,” Schwartz addressed the scandal directly. “It seems each time I try to weigh in or talk about, ramble on about it, drivel on, I inevitably sound like I’m somehow justifying it or making excuses for it, and I’m not,” he said. “There’s just no excuse for it. Any sort of version of his side of the story has become obsolete because of the way he handled it. Ultimately, that’s his life. That is his life. I did not have an affair. I am not him.”
He echoed similar feelings on Brittany Cartwright and Jax Taylor’s former podcast “When Reality Hits,” admitting, “It’s hard for me not to be resentful of him. I’m taking a break from Tom right now.”
Schwartz Reflects on Friendship Strain and Schwartz & Sandy’s Closure
While the affair was one factor, Schwartz and Sandoval’s business struggles also played a major role in their temporary distance.
The pair’s Los Angeles bar, Schwartz & Sandy’s Lounge, closed in December 2024, just two years after opening. Speaking on “The Valley After Show,” Schwartz explained that the financial pressures nearly broke their bond.
“Are you and Sandoval still talking and still close?” a producer asked.
“Short answer is yes,” Schwartz replied. “Long answer is a little more complicated… The financial aspect really put our relationship to the test and almost destroyed our friendship at one point. But I have closure… I’m compartmentalized. He’s family for me. I’ll always love Tom Sandoval but, of course, I have some deep-rooted frustrations. I’m not holding onto that.”
Tom Schwartz is currently filming season 3 of “The Valley,” which is set to premiere on Bravo in 2026.
