Can a (captive) tiger change its stripes? Tom Sandoval seems to think so. The villainous Vanderpump Rules star has been attempting a redemption arc ever since Scandoval broke last year. But, his words and actions since often got in the way.
Season 11 is almost upon us. And, Tom’s again angling to disarm his detractors. Sandy says he’s changed since cheating on his girlfriend of almost 10 years – Ariana Madix – with their friend Rachel Leviss and facing massive fallout. But, do we buy it?
Tom Sandoval: “[I] was a dude lost in a cyclone”
At the VPR Season 11 premiere on January 17, Tom spoke to ET about his mindset shift since Season 10’s premiere. Tom implied he was a lost soul then.
Tom shared, “The Tom that was here [last time] was a dude lost in a cyclone. Like somebody who was just lost in the ocean, barely hanging on to an old wooden door like in the [end of] Titanic. Literally just not in control. No idea what the hell’s going on.”
Sandoval sees the situation more positively now, despite basically becoming public enemy #1. He believes going through such a public ordeal helped him realize what truly matters, which prompted a priority shift and personal growth.
“Going through that has really helped me put in perspective things that are really important,” he said. “[It] helped me grow, as far as prioritizing certain things. And [it] really just put me to the test to see what I’m made of.”
Tom: The VPR cast members are real people
Sandy’s Season 11 return also led to tension with other castmates, who gave him a hard time in various ways. Despite the challenges, Sandoval wishes Rachel well in her decision to quit the show and to share her side of the story on her podcast, Rachel Goes Rogue.
“I know she wants to move on, and I want her to do that and I wish her the best, really,” Tom shared.
As Season 11 approaches, Sandy emphasized that the cast is made up of real individuals with real feelings. He urged viewers to remember they’re not just characters with a script, but real people putting themselves out there for public consumption.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that … I’m not a character [on a scripted show] … I’m a human being, like every single one of my cast members. We really put ourselves out there, you know?” he said. “I, unfortunately, made a huge mistake … but I am a human being. I’m a real person. Just try to keep that in mind.”
Raise your hand if Tom having the audacity to wear a cursed lightning bolt necklace to the Season 11 premiere already cemented your opinion that he hasn’t changed for the better. Yeah, me too.
Season 11 of VPR premieres Tuesday, January 30 on Bravo.
TELL US – DO YOU BELIEVE TOM HAS CHANGED AS A PERSON? WILL HE REDEEM HIMSELF IN SEASON 11?
