The last thing I really want to do is write another snarky column about Tom Sandoval, but since I am so good at it, maybe one more won’t hurt. I, like most Bravo viewers, love animals. Personally, I cry at cute dog videos and donate monthly to the WWF. Like others, I don’t wear fur or buy anything tested on animals.
Unless you live under a rock, most people are aware of tourist traps offering guests the chance to play with baby tigers. However, many may not really understanding that most of these animals are severely neglected in the name of making a buck. Insert Tom and his recent footage showing the Vanderpump Rules star falling for the tourist trap.
Honestly, I am surprised Lisa Vanderpump doesn’t have a problem with this. If Scandoval didn’t get him canceled, surely, Tom Sandoval’s controversial tiger pics and videos would do the job.
There Is a New Tiger King in Town
Last week, footage of Tom’s trip to a zoo in Thailand made the rounds on Instagram. The video and pictures showed the 40-year-old singer interacting with tigers. As Sandy sat cross-legged, followers watched as a captive tiger was commanded to place its paws on the Vanderpump Rules star’s shoulders. Another clip also showed Tom feeding the animal through a fence.
No one was being fooled by the new Zen Sandoval, with many calling him out for embracing animal cruelty. Tom looked smug as he sat wearing black shades on the dry dirt ground. He didn’t seem fazed that multiple followers wanted to rip his head off, not to mention the probably aggravated tiger. Didn’t anyone tell Tom that doing glamour shots with two tigers is so 1980s?
James Kennedy’s Take
James Kennedy was one of the first Vanderpump Rules co-stars to strike back at Sandoval’s tiger pics, taking to the comments noting Tom was “Just a Worm? Without a mustache now?…….” The DJ found the video disturbing as he added, “I would never go to a place like this, …… Let them all run free !!? always found this cruel and so sad.”
Since the airing of Tiger King in 2020, a new campaign has been launched in order to protect these animals who are held captive and forced to live a life out of their normal habitat.
Lala Kent’s Comments
The second Vanderpump Rules star to clap back was Lala Kent, who also took to her Instagram Story to share, “I am appalled by the photo my cast member took with a tiger in captivity. This topic has been close to my heart for many years.”
As Lala has made perfectly clear, she has been an avid supporter of PETA for years, noting, “What is disguised as ‘fun’ and ‘cool’ is, in fact, animal abuse. It’s heartbreaking. I’ve made noise about educating yourselves, & here I am to tell you again… Do not support places like this.
Ever the outspoken activist, Lala has also starred in an ad entitled “Free the Orcas” with Ariana Madix and Scheana Shay. Lala has also not relented in her targeting of SeaWorld and helping to push the aquamarine park to release their orca, Corky. Sadly, the theme park is still standing firm and holding on to its ill-gotten marine animals.
PETA Weighs In
Not surprisingly, PETA posted their own content noting Tom was a “Vanderpump Fool.” The animal rights organization’s statement solidified why Lala and James were so upset about their co-star’s photos and videos. PETA tried to publicly shame Tom by educating followers as they captioned his inhuman videos, writing, “Big cats are abused & suffer in hell holes like these—they belong in the wild!” It is clear that most people understand that animals are not meant for entertainment purposes, but it seems like Tom either wasn’t aware or frankly didn’t give a damn.
Big acts like Ringling Brothers stopped using their famed elephants in 2016, and even though SeaWorld has a long way to go, they ended their orca breeding program in 2016 and started to phase out live shows after multiple trainers were hurt or killed.
Tom lacks any sort of wisdom, but everyone, even the man behind Scandoval, can change. By being called out, there is hope that he can better himself and make more educated choices when traveling the world. One thing is for sure: Tom is not the Greatest Showman.
TELL US – DO YOU BELIEVE TOM SANDOVAL’S CONTROVERSIAL TIGER PICS SHOULD GET HIM CANCELLED FOR GOOD?
