5 Shocking Ways Tom Sandoval Is Trying To Erase Scandoval And Rebuild His Life In 2025

The "Scandoval" fallout continues to define Tom Sandoval's professional and personal world, but as of this December 2025 update, the reality star is aggressively trying to pivot away from the affair that shattered his nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix. The most significant recent development confirming the scandal's devastating business impact is the official closure of his ambitious bar venture, Schwartz & Sandy's. This move, coupled with his new, highly-publicized relationship and an outright rejection of the new Vanderpump Rules "reboot" cast, signals a clear strategy to distance himself from the past and forge a new path in reality television and music.

The highly-publicized affair with former co-star Rachel Leviss (formerly Raquel Leviss) has become a cultural touchstone, forever changing the landscape of Bravo's flagship show and the lives of everyone involved. While Sandoval maintains he has "paid the price" for his actions, his attempts at redemption are now focused on new business ventures, a thriving music career, and a complete re-evaluation of his public persona, all while navigating a complex co-habitation situation with his ex-girlfriend, Ariana Madix.

Thomas Anthony Sandoval: A Full Biography and Profile

Thomas Anthony Sandoval is an American television personality, restaurateur, actor, and musician, best known for his long-standing role on the reality television series Vanderpump Rules. His career has spanned modeling, acting, and entrepreneurship, though his fame reached a fever pitch following the 2023 cheating scandal that became known globally as "Scandoval."

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• Full Name: Thomas Anthony Sandoval
• Date of Birth: July 7, 1983
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 42 years old
• Birth Place: St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
• Occupation: Television Personality, Actor, Musician, Restaurateur, Businessman
• Key Reality TV Roles: Vanderpump Rules (2013–present), The Masked Singer, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test
• Business Ventures: Co-owner of TomTom and former co-owner of Schwartz & Sandy's; Partner in men's cosmetic company Stryx.
• Music Project: Frontman for the cover band Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras (since 2021).
• Key Relationships: Kristen Doute (2007–2013), Ariana Madix (2014–2023), Rachel Leviss (brief affair, 2023), Victoria Lee Robinson (2024–present).

1. The Business Collapse: Why Schwartz & Sandy's Is Closing Down

The most concrete and financially damaging consequence of Scandoval has been the rapid decline and ultimate closure of Tom Sandoval’s latest entrepreneurial effort, Schwartz & Sandy’s. Opened in November 2022 alongside business partner Tom Schwartz, the bar was meant to be a fresh, exciting venture away from their first successful bar, TomTom, which is a partnership with Lisa Vanderpump.

The bar's run was turbulent from the start, plagued by delays and financial setbacks, but the Scandoval news in March 2023 delivered the fatal blow. The public backlash was immediate and severe, leading to boycotts and a toxic association with Sandoval’s infidelity.

In a major 2025 update, Sandoval and Schwartz announced the official closure of Schwartz & Sandy's by the end of the year. This decision marks the end of their joint ownership of the establishment. Sandoval expressed a desire to "look forward to exciting new endeavors," framing the closure as a stepping stone rather than a failure.

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The fate of TomTom, their first bar with Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd, appears more secure, though its future remains a topic of speculation. Tom Schwartz has continued his involvement, but Lisa Vanderpump has publicly mused over the long-term status of Sandoval's partnership, indicating that the scandal's shadow still looms over his entire business portfolio.

2. New Romance and a New Reality: The Victoria Lee Robinson Era

Tom Sandoval has firmly moved on from his tumultuous affair with Rachel Leviss and his decade-long relationship with Ariana Madix by going public with a new girlfriend, Victoria Lee Robinson. The two began their relationship in early 2024, and their connection remains strong into late 2025.

A Different Kind of Relationship

Victoria Lee Robinson, a model and influencer, has been a vocal supporter of Sandoval, often defending him against public criticism and cheering on his musical career. This public display of affection and loyalty contrasts sharply with the cast's unified front against him following the initial scandal. Sandoval has openly discussed "growing" with Victoria, suggesting a more grounded and less dramatic partnership than his previous high-profile relationships.

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Their relationship has also been captured in the media, including a notable incident at BravoCon where the couple had a public dispute, demonstrating that even a post-Scandoval romance is not immune to the pressures of reality TV fame. Despite the drama, their commitment appears to be a central pillar in Sandoval's current life, helping him navigate the ongoing public scrutiny.

3. Pivoting to New Reality TV and Trashing the 'Vanderpump Rules' Reboot

With the original Vanderpump Rules cast dynamic fundamentally broken, and with Lisa Vanderpump announcing an entirely new cast for Season 12, Tom Sandoval is actively exploring new career avenues in the reality TV space. This pivot is a clear attempt to control his narrative outside of the "toxic" environment he now claims Vanderpump Rules has become.

Working on New Shows

Sandoval has confirmed that he is "working on new shows" and has teased a new reality show project in the wake of the Vanderpump Rules cast shake-up. This suggests he is leveraging his notoriety to secure new deals, potentially moving to a different network or a spin-off format that focuses on his life and music career, rather than the restaurant drama of West Hollywood.

His recent comments have been highly critical of the new cast, which he openly "trashed" on social media. This aggressive stance against the show that made him famous is part of his strategy to establish an independent brand. He has also been mentioned in connection with other Bravo-adjacent shows, such as a potential role on The Valley, though nothing has been confirmed.

4. The Music Hustle: Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras Tour

The band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, remains a central focus of his career and a key source of income and public interaction. Despite the scandal, the cover band has continued to tour extensively. The band's 2025 tour dates are actively being advertised by major ticket vendors, confirming that the show is still a viable business, even if it attracts a mix of fans and critics who attend out of curiosity.

This music project allows Sandoval to engage with the public on his own terms, performing cover songs and showcasing his passion for music. It serves as a personal and professional redemption vehicle, allowing him to bypass the need for a traditional reality TV storyline. The band is a tangible entity that he can control, unlike the volatile dynamics of the Vanderpump Rules cast.

5. The Uncomfortable Co-Habitation with Ariana Madix

Perhaps the most bizarre and enduring consequence of Scandoval is the ongoing, awkward living arrangement between Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix. As of late 2025, the former couple still co-owns and resides in their shared Valley Village home.

Despite their complete separation—with Ariana Madix having successfully moved on both personally and professionally—the two continue to navigate the logistical nightmare of sharing a mortgage and a house. The situation requires them to actively avoid each other, a scenario that has been documented on the show and remains a bizarre footnote to the entire scandal. This living arrangement is a constant reminder of the past, even as Sandoval tries desperately to move forward with Victoria and his new projects.