Credit: Brandi Benton/startraksphoto.com
UPDATE: Tom Sandoval shared a statement with Reality Blurb. in which he apologizes for his comments.
“My intentions behind the comments I made in New York Times Magazine were to explain the level of national media attention my affair received,” he explained. “The comparison was inappropriate and ignorant. I’m incredibly sorry and embarrassed.”
The original story is below.
Tom Sandoval is under fire — and for very good reason.
Amid Black History Month, the Vanderpump Rules star, 41, who was caught in a sordid affair with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, 29, less than one year ago, has found himself in yet another scandal after shockingly comparing what he went through after cheating on Ariana Madix, 38, to the devastating 2020 death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed by a white police officer amid an arrest.
During an interview with The New York Times, Tom was asked why he believes his cheating scandal became such a huge story.
“I’m not a pop-culture historian really. I witnessed the O.J. Simpson thing and George Floyd and all these big things, which is really weird to compare this to that, I think, but do you think in a weird way it’s a little bit the same?” Sandoval asked during the interview which was published on February 20.
Needless to say, after the quote was shared by Bravo by Betches on Instagram, no one agreed.
In addition to being berated by a number of Instagram users, Sandoval also received comments from his fellow Bravolebrities, including Real Housewives of Miami cast member Guerdy Abraira, 46.
“PLEASE reflect on this repulsive statement you made (regarding GEORGE FLOYD r.i.p.) especially on Black History Month and take it back!! NOT OK! An immediate apology is in order Sir!” she demanded.
She then added a second message, which read, “The disrespect … and on Black History Month … WOW just plz.”
Guerdy’s co-star, Dr. Nicole Martin, 38, was equally horrified.
“Wtf?” she asked.
Sandoval’s castmate, Katie Maloney, 37, also asked, “The f*ck?” She then wondered what her ex-husband, Tom Schwartz, 40, would have to say about Sandoval’s latest antics.
“Hey Tom Schwartz you wanna come explain what he was really trying to say?” she wondered.
Also in the comments section of Bravo by Betches‘ post with Sandoval’s quote, Jordan Emanuel, 31, fumed at Sandoval for suggesting that his situation, which he brought on himself, was anything like the horrendous police brutality that took place in Minneapolis years ago.
“Comparing slinging d*ck to a Black man being murdered in front of our eyes during Black History Month is something I just don’t have words for,” she stated.
Vanderpump Rules season 11 airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.