Season 11 of 'VPR' focuses on Tom Sandoval's status at TomTom
Lisa Vanderpump weighs in Tom Sandoval's future at TomTom – sort of. The Vanderpump Rules The boss confirmed that his involvement with the restaurant will be featured on the Bravo show's 11th season.
“We talk about that a lot,” Vanderpump (63) said. We weekly exclusively during the season 11 premiere event, teasing that it's a “complicated” situation.
“There's a lot of backlash, and I don't [quite] think the punishment fits the crime when the whole world is against you,” she explained. “I think it was a lot for him to deal with. So I was there to try to create some kind of cohesion.”
Vanderpump referenced the widespread hatred of Sandoval, 41, following news of his affair with Rachel 'Raquel' Leviss went public in March 2023. The restaurant owner referred to Us how he had to deal with his name in a 'presidential speech' and with 'Adele saying he's an a-hole at her concert. She also teased her attempts to help Sandoval through the TomTom drama during season 11.
Fans speculated that Sandoval was locked out of the restaurant, which he co-owns Tom Schwartz, after his public scandal. (There has been no official confirmation of his departure.)
After it was initially revealed that Sandoval had cheated Ariana Madix during their nine-year relationship, Vanderpump Rules viewers began boycotting his several Los Angeles restaurants, including his and Schwartz's most recent business venture, Schwartz and Sandy's.
Lisa Vanderpump, Tom Sandoval
Amanda Edwards(2)/Getty Images(2)“In light of the recent news, we appreciate the outpouring of support, but we also understand the outpouring of outrage directed toward our businesses,” the eatery posted on Instagram in March 2023. “Those of us who are not famous have spent our time, hearts and money making this restaurant a reality.”
The statement continued with Schwartz and Sandy's restaurant stating that they were also “disappointed” by the affair.
Vanderpump Rules has officially been renewed for season 11 – and viewers are in for a messy return in the wake of Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval's cheating scandal. Us Weekly confirmed in March 2023 that Sandoval and Ariana Madix had called it quits after nearly a decade of dating due to his infidelity. If […]
“We appreciate that you may feel a certain way, but please understand that the livelihoods of others also depend on this company,” the statement concluded. “There are four other people involved in this venture besides Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz.”
When Sandoval issued his first apology days later, he also asked fans to stop criticizing the restaurant online.
“Schwartz & Sandy's may have my name, but there are also 3 other partners and 20 employees, who mainly depend on the restaurant for their income and their families. Like TomTom, I am a small part of a much bigger picture,” Sandoval wrote in an Instagram statement at the time. “Please direct your anger at me and not at them. They did nothing wrong.”