As if there were no other relevant topics in his life, Tom Sandoval keeps speaking about his affair with Rachel Leviss. Certainly, there may be emotions to unpack still.
There is renewed interest in the fallout. Rachel is long gone, and Sandoval is weaseling his way back into the friend group. In real-time, the Schwartz & Sandy’s co-owner is still processing the whirlwind romance, especially considering that Rachel cut all ties with him. Yet Sandoval is going so far as to call that connection “real.”
Sandoval felt the relationship was “accepting”
The disgraced Vanderpump Rules star recalled his feelings about the affair during the latest episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast. Host, and VPR executive producer, Alex Baskin asked Sandoval if his connection with Rachel “was real.”
“I think it was, all of it, I really do,” the TomTom co-owner stated. However, he also admitted that the romance became an “escapism” of sorts.
According to the VPR star, the illicit lovers “spent a ridiculous amount of time … It’s embarrassing to say … but we spent so much time together, talking and getting to know each other. We knew everything about each other. It was a very safe, accepting place and very positive in a lot of ways.”
“It initially was one thing. And then it grew into something else,” Sandoval explained. “But yeah, the feelings … at one point, I would have done anything for her. You know what I mean? Like, for real, like anything.”
The Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras frontman regretted letting the affair go on as long as it did. He admitted that he “should have just pulled the trigger” rather than trying to initiate the “perfect breakup” with Ariana Madix.
“If you would have asked me a year ago or longer ago, I would very arrogantly and confidently say, I will never get myself in a situation like that, anything like that, so confidently,” he explained. “And then it just happens and you’re just like, holy… I’m looking back and I’m still in disbelief. How that could just happen?”
Sandoval continued, “I think I was so wrapped up and trying because obviously I care for Ariana. I was so wrapped up and trying to have the most perfect breakup. I looked at Tom[Schwartz] and Katie[Maloney] and I wanted to be even better. And I think I was wrapped up in trying to do things perfectly.”
Sandoval was seeking “admiration”
“Delaying the inevitable” and “delaying the hurt that’s going to come” became a vicious cycle.
“I was doing this process, trying to make it perfect, but I should have just pulled the trigger and done it, I should have backed off when I felt feelings and really, really tried to get to the root of where those were coming from and if they were just for this person or the need to feel loved because I was lacking so much love,” he said. “I was yearning for it. ..I was yearning for that admiration in my life that I wasn’t getting. And so when I got it, it became intoxicating to me.”
It sounds like Sandoval could use a little work on himself. Maybe beyond the spiritual healing and meditation, but some serious reflection.
Catch Vanderpump Rules Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF TOM’S COMMENTS? WOULD THE RELATIONSHIP HAVE LASTED? COULD HE HAVE HAD THE “PERFECT BREAKUP?”