Tom Sandoval (left) and Scott Peterson.Photo:River Callaway/Variety via Getty; Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office/Getty
River Callaway/Variety via Getty; Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office/Getty
On Tuesday’s episode ofVanderpump Rules, theSchwartz & Sandy’sco-owner, 41, opened up about longing to connect with Rachel, 28, amid the fallout of their headline-making affair, which ended his nine-year relationship withAriana Madix.
“Rachel cutting off from me. That pain, it comes in waves,” he explained. “Me journaling, not drinking was like me trying to connect with her in a way because I knew she was journaling and she wasn’t able to drink.”
Tom Sandoval, Rachel Leviss.Elyse Jankowski/Getty, River Callaway/Variety
Elyse Jankowski/Getty, River Callaway/Variety
The reality star showed his palTom Schwartzphotos of him and Rachel that he “snuck in” intoSpecial Forcesand marveled at “how happy” they were. While looking at the snapshots, Sandoval became overcome with emotion and broke down in tears in his closet, telling Schwartz, “I just look at those pictures and I’m like, that will never happen again.”
Sandoval then admitted the loss of Rachel’s companionship hit him hard.
“I lost pretty much all of my friends and now I’m losing Rachel, it’s a lot for me emotionally,” he shared. “There’s part of me that thought when she gets out [from the mental health facility] maybe we can both be in a healthy place to see each other again and connect but I’m figuring out like that’ll never happen and it really really f—ing breaks my heart.”
Schwartz, 41, attempted to reassure him, saying, “Tom, if it’s any consolation, I feel this in my heart and soul, I’m telling you, dude, you are at the tail end of this.”
However, Sandoval was quick to disagree and shed light on the reality of the situation.
Tom Schwartz (left) and Tom Sandoval at The Bravos from Paris Theater in Las Vegas, NV on Friday, November 3, 2023.Ralph Bavaro/Bravo via Getty
Ralph Bavaro/Bravo via Getty
“No, that’s not even remotely accurate. I’m being treated like I’m f—ingScott Petersonand it will f—ing linger with me, like f—ing Scott Peterson,” he said referring to the convicted murder.
“You’re not Scott Peterson, didn’t he murder his wife?” Schwartz asked and Sandoval added, “Allegedly.”
Schwartz admitted that seeing his friend “down bad” had him concerned, saying, “For the first time in a long time, I don’t know how to help Tom. I’ve just been racking my brain trying to think of someone who might have a little more expertise in this area. Someone who’s been through this who can show Tom that there’s going to be better days ahead.”
He ultimately decided it was time to call inVanderpump Rulesalum andThe ValleystarJax Taylorin hopes that he could provide some guidance following hisown cheating scandalswith his estranged wifeBrittany Cartwrightand exStassi Schroeder.
Tom Sandoval (left) and Jax Taylor.Nicole Weingart/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
Nicole Weingart/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty
“I know Tom and Jax, they haven’t really communicated in a long time,” Schwartz explained. “They’re not really friends anymore but I also know that deep down they love each other. Maybe Jax can, you know, give him some advice from one person who’s, you know, dabbled in infidelity to another.”
However, Sandoval and Jax didn’t see eye-to-eye at their guys dinner. Sandoval explained that he felt Jax has “always felt some sort of competition with me, which I’ve never understood and [it’s] just unfortunate, because we’re best friends.”
“But I think as time went on, I realized that nothing brings Jax more joy than celebrating other people’s failures and misery,” Sandoval added.
Jax, 44, then confronted him about not taking responsibility for his actions, saying, “I know what you did was wrong but what I did was wrong too… The only problem I had with this whole situation was just the way you handled it.”
Jax added how it was a “humbling” experience to take accountability and Sandoval responded, “I must be humbling to only have something interesting to say when you’re talking about me.”
Jax Taylor at Bravo’s ‘The Valley’ Premiere Party on March 14, 2024.Michael Simon/Shutterstock
Michael Simon/Shutterstock
However, Jax quickly realized that he had been in Sandoval’s shoes, telling cameras, “I totally understand where Tom’s at. I know what it’s like to hit rock bottom. I had the best job in the world onVanderpump Rulesbut I let my ego get ahead of myself a little bit and I f—ed it up.”
Jax also reflected onhis own 2020 firingfrom the hit Bravo series after hisracist tweet from 2017resurfaced, explaining, “I was in such a dark place because I felt like I lost it all. Financially, we were kinda like, ‘S—, what are we gonna do now?’ My wife was pregnant at the time. It was rough. I get emotional, choked up just thinking about it. But, I can’t sit there and be ‘poor me.’ I gotta figure something out. Put my big boy pants on, start from ground zero.”
He then told Sandoval, “I want the best for you” and gave him a hug.
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Vanderpump Rulesairs Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
source: people.com
