Tom Sandoval

Tom Sandoval
Born	Thomas Anthony Sandoval 7/7/1983
Birthplace	St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Television personality, actor, musician, restaurateur
Known for	Vanderpump Rules, The Traitors

Thomas Anthony Sandoval (born July 7, 1983) is an American television personality, restaurateur, actor, and musician who rose to public prominence as a cast member on the Bravo reality television series Vanderpump Rules. A fixture of the show from its 2013 debut, Sandoval became one of the most discussed figures in reality television following a 2023 cheating scandal — widely dubbed "Scandoval" by media outlets — involving his then-girlfriend Ariana Madix and co-star Rachel Leviss. The incident generated extensive coverage across entertainment media and became a cultural flashpoint that renewed interest in the series. Beyond television, Sandoval has pursued business ventures in the restaurant industry, co-owning the West Hollywood bar TomTom alongside fellow Vanderpump Rules cast member Tom Schwartz and restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump, and later opening a second establishment, Schwartz & Sandy's. He has also maintained a career in music as the frontman of a cover band and has appeared on competition series including The Masked Singer and Peacock's The Traitors. Sandoval co-authored the cocktail book Fancy AF Cocktails with Madix, published in 2019.

Early Life

Thomas Anthony Sandoval was born on July 7, 1983, in St. Louis, Missouri. Details regarding his family background and upbringing in St. Louis remain limited in published sources. Sandoval relocated to Los Angeles to pursue careers in entertainment, where he would eventually find work as a model, actor, and bartender. Prior to gaining fame on reality television, Sandoval worked in the Los Angeles hospitality industry, including as a bartender at SUR Restaurant, the West Hollywood establishment owned by Lisa Vanderpump that would later serve as the setting for Vanderpump Rules.

In his early career in Los Angeles, Sandoval appeared in a Bon Jovi music video alongside model Camila Alves, an experience he later discussed in interviews. He pursued acting and modeling work throughout his early years in the city, building a modest portfolio of entertainment credits before his breakthrough on reality television. Sandoval's career in entertainment dates to 1998, when he first began pursuing professional opportunities in the industry.

Career

Vanderpump Rules

Sandoval became a cast member on Vanderpump Rules when the series premiered on Bravo in January 2013. The show, a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, followed the personal and professional lives of staff at Lisa Vanderpump's SUR Restaurant in West Hollywood. Sandoval was featured as one of the central cast members from the series' inception, and his relationships and business ventures became recurring storylines throughout the show's run.

During the early seasons of the series, Sandoval's romantic relationship with co-star Kristen Doute was a prominent storyline. The couple's relationship and eventual breakup were documented on the show and attracted significant media attention. Following his split from Doute, Sandoval began a relationship with fellow cast member Ariana Madix, and their romance became one of the show's central narratives for several subsequent seasons.

As Vanderpump Rules progressed, Sandoval transitioned from primarily being known as a bartender at SUR to pursuing broader business and entertainment ventures. By 2018, Sandoval's role at SUR had evolved, as he focused increasingly on outside projects while remaining a central figure on the reality series.

"Scandoval"

In March 2023, news emerged that Sandoval had engaged in an affair with Vanderpump Rules co-star Rachel Leviss (née Raquel Leviss) while still in his long-term relationship with Ariana Madix. The revelation, which was first exposed during filming of the show's tenth season, quickly became one of the most discussed events in reality television history and was widely referred to as "Scandoval" by media outlets and the public.

The scandal generated extensive coverage from entertainment and mainstream news outlets, becoming a cultural phenomenon that extended well beyond the reality television audience. Rolling Stone and other major publications covered the fallout in depth, with former cast member Kristen Doute and others providing commentary on the situation. The scandal had a significant impact on the trajectory of Vanderpump Rules, reinvigorating public interest in the series and leading to record viewership for subsequent episodes. Sandoval and Madix's breakup, played out in part on the series, became a defining moment in reality television during 2023.

Restaurant Ventures

TomTom

Sandoval, along with co-star Tom Schwartz, co-owned the restaurant and bar TomTom in West Hollywood, which they launched in partnership with Lisa Vanderpump and her husband Ken Todd. The establishment, which opened in 2018, became a recurring setting and storyline on Vanderpump Rules. The bar and restaurant venture represented Sandoval and Schwartz's expansion from television personalities to business owners in the Los Angeles hospitality scene. As of early 2026, Sandoval provided updates on the status of TomTom in media appearances.

Schwartz & Sandy's

Sandoval and Schwartz later opened a second bar, Schwartz & Sandy's, in Los Angeles. The establishment was the subject of significant storylines on Vanderpump Rules during its development and opening. The bar's name became a point of discussion following the "Scandoval" revelations, as the business was closely associated with Sandoval's public identity. In early 2026, Sandoval discussed the closure of Schwartz & Sandy's in interviews, including details about financial investments made by family members, specifically revealing information about whether he had repaid his mother for her investment in the venture.

Fancy AF Cocktails

In 2019, Sandoval and Madix co-authored the cocktail book Fancy AF Cocktails, which featured original cocktail recipes and entertaining tips. The collaboration was notable given both authors' backgrounds in bartending and the hospitality industry. Madix later discussed the experience of working on the book with Sandoval, providing insight into their creative process as co-authors. The book was the subject of a lawsuit filed by another author, which was eventually dropped in 2022.

The Masked Singer

Sandoval appeared as a contestant on The Masked Singer, the Fox competition series in which celebrities perform musical numbers while concealing their identities behind elaborate costumes. Sandoval performed as the character "Diver" before being unmasked and revealed to the audience and panel of judges. The appearance underscored Sandoval's interest in music, which he has pursued alongside his television and business careers.

The Traitors

Sandoval was cast in the third season of Peacock's reality competition series The Traitors, hosted by Alan Cumming. The show, based on a Dutch television format, features a group of contestants who must work together to complete challenges while identifying hidden "traitors" among them. Sandoval's casting was announced as part of the season three lineup, which featured a mix of reality television personalities and other public figures. His appearance on the show came in the aftermath of the "Scandoval" controversy, making his participation a point of public interest and discussion among viewers.

Music

Outside of television and business, Sandoval has maintained a career in music. He is the frontman of a cover band and has performed live at various venues in Los Angeles and elsewhere. His musical interests have intersected with his television career, as demonstrated by his appearance on The Masked Singer and his early work in a Bon Jovi music video.

Personal Life

Sandoval's personal life has been extensively documented through his appearances on Vanderpump Rules and in tabloid media. His relationship with co-star Kristen Doute was featured during the early seasons of the series. He subsequently entered into a long-term relationship with Ariana Madix, which lasted for several years and was a central feature of the show.

During their relationship, Sandoval and Madix co-purchased a home in Los Angeles. Following the 2023 "Scandoval" revelations and their breakup, both Sandoval and Madix continued to live in the shared property, which became the subject of a protracted legal dispute. In January 2026, it was reported that Sandoval and Madix had reached a settlement in their legal battle over the home. By March 2026, Sandoval revealed that the Los Angeles home was going on the market, stating that Madix had removed her belongings from the property.

Following his breakup with Madix, Sandoval began a relationship with Victoria Lee Robinson. The couple's relationship has been documented in entertainment media, and by February 2026, Sandoval made public statements about the status of their romance.

Sandoval has maintained a friendship with fellow Vanderpump Rules cast member Tom Schwartz, with the pair providing updates on their friendship and commenting on the lives of other former cast members, including Jax Taylor, in 2026.

Legacy

Sandoval's role in the "Scandoval" affair of 2023 had a measurable impact on the reality television landscape. The scandal generated a level of public and media interest that revitalized Vanderpump Rules after years on the air, drawing in viewers who had not previously followed the series and sparking widespread discussion on social media and in news outlets ranging from entertainment publications to mainstream media like Today and Rolling Stone. The term "Scandoval" itself entered the popular lexicon as shorthand for the controversy and was used widely across media platforms.

The fallout from the scandal also had significant consequences for Sandoval's co-stars. Ariana Madix experienced a substantial career boost in the aftermath, receiving public sympathy and new professional opportunities. Rachel Leviss departed from public life for a period following the revelations. The incident prompted broader conversations about fidelity, accountability, and the nature of reality television storytelling, as the events were captured in real time during the filming of Vanderpump Rules season ten and subsequently aired to audiences.

Sandoval's continued presence in the entertainment industry following the scandal — including his casting on The Traitors and appearances on The Masked Singer — demonstrated the complex relationship between public controversy and celebrity in the reality television era. His business ventures, both the successes and closures, have also contributed to his profile as a figure in the Los Angeles hospitality and entertainment scene.