“Vanderpump Rules” alums Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval reunited at BravoCon 2025, showing fans that their bond remains strong despite the dramatic fallout from season 10.
A History of Tom & Tom’s Friendship Over the Years
Schwartz and Sandoval were friends before “Vanderpump Rules” even premiered in 2013, as the pair shared an apartment with former co-star Jax Taylor.
By season 3, Schwartz had been moved up to a series regular, and his friendship with Sandoval only grew. The two eventually became business partners, opening TomTom, a restaurant and cocktail lounge in West Hollywood, as well as Schwartz & Sandy’s, another Los Angeles bar, with the help of Lisa Vanderpump.
However, Schwartz and Sandoval’s friendship was strained after Sandoval’s shocking affair with co-star Raquel Leviss caused big rifts in their friend group. Us Weekly confirmed in March 2023 that Sandoval and Ariana Madix split due to his infidelity.
“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,” Schwartz said about Sandoval’s infidelity while competing on the 2023 series ‘Stars on Mars.’
“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.”
Tensions grew between the pair in 2024 after Scwartz & Sandy’s shut down just two years after it launched. Schwartz spoke about the loss on The Valley After Show, admitting the restaurant “put a lot of tension on” his relationship with Sandoval.
“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,” Schwartz admitted.
Schwartz also opened up about joining “The Valley” without Sandoval during the “Peaks & The Valley” panel at BravoCon 2025.
“It’s been nice. That’s not a dig at Tom, but it’s nice to establish my own identity,” Schwartz told the podcaster. “You know what I mean? I’m not a sidekick. I’m not riding in a sidecar anymore. Although I’m not above that. And I love Tom. He’s family. For better or worse, I love Tom.”
Tom & Tom Share a Backstage Reunion
During Night 2 of BravoCon 2025, Schwartz shared a photo of their reunion that took place backstage on his Instagram story. The photo featured Sandoval with his back turned towards the camera, while Schwartz stood beside him, facing forward.
Schwartz tagged Sandoval in the photo as well as his stylists, Elana and Dina Solomon, who were behind his all-black look.
