Tom Sandoval, a name now synonymous with reality television drama, has carved out a unique and often controversial space in pop culture. From his early days as a charismatic bartender on Bravo's Vanderpump Rules to becoming the epicenter of the media storm known as "Scandoval," Sandoval's journey has been anything but boring. This article explores his complete career trajectory, his highly publicized personal life, and his surprising evolution into a fixture on competitive reality shows.
Quick Facts: Tom Sandoval
| Bio / Wiki | |
| Name | Thomas "Tom" Sandoval |
| Nick-name | Sandoval |
| Sex | Male |
| Date Of Birth | July 7, 1983 |
| Age | 41 Years (as of 2024) |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian (with Mexican-American heritage) |
| Profession / Occupation | TV Personality, Musician, Actor, Restaurateur, Author |
| Mother Tongue | English |
| Religion | Not Publicly Known |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Family and Relatives | |
| Father | Anthony Sandoval |
| Mother | Terri Green |
| Brothers | Brian Sandoval |
| Sisters | Not Publicly Known |
| Personal Life | |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Wife | N/A |
| Daughters | None |
| Sons | None |
| Girlfriend | Ariana Madix (Former, 2014-2023) |
| Affairs | Raquel Leviss (2022-2023) |
| Physical Stats & More | |
| Height in Centimeters | 180 cm |
| Height in Meters | 1.80 m |
| Height in Feet Inches | 5' 11" |
| Weight | Approx. 78 kg (172 lbs) |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Education School and Colleges | |
| Education Qualification | High School Graduate |
| School | McCluer North High School, Florissant, Missouri |
| College | N/A |
| University | N/A |
| Career | |
| Debut Tv List till 2025 | The Hills (2010, minor appearance), Vanderpump Rules (2013-Present), Special Forces: World's Toughest Test (2023), The Masked Singer (2023) |
| Debut Movie List till 2025 | Playing with Fire (2008), Alien Presence (2009), The Pit and the Pendulum (2009) |
| Awards | MTV Movie & TV Award for Best Villain (2023) |
| Achievements | Co-owner of restaurants TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy's; Lead singer of the band "Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras"; Co-author of "Fancy AF Cocktails" |
| Favorite Things and Hobby | |
| Color | Black, White |
| Food | Tacos, Steak |
| Movie | Back to the Future |
| Sport | Working out, Motorcycling |
| Hobby | Mixology, Playing the trumpet, Singing, Fashion |
| Animal | Dog |
| Money Factor | |
| Net Worth | Approximately $4 Million (as of 2024) |
| Salary | Estimated $25,000 - $35,000 per episode of Vanderpump Rules |
| Social Media | |
| @tomsandoval1 | |
| Tom Sandoval | |
| @TomSandoval1 | |
Tom Sandoval Early Life and Entry into Entertainment
Born on July 7, 1982, Thomas Anthony Sandoval's rise to fame wasn't instantaneous. Before he was pouring drinks in West Hollywood, he was already dipping his toes into the world of entertainment. One of his earliest and most surprising appearances came in 2002, when he was cast as the character "Jack" in the music video for Bon Jovi's hit song, "Misunderstood." Though an uncredited role, it was a significant stepping stone. He clearly made an impression, as he was invited back to reprise the role of Jack in Bon Jovi's 2003 follow-up video for "All About Lovin' You."
These early roles hinted at an ambition that extended beyond his native St. Louis, Missouri. They were the first glimpses of a performer eager to make his mark, setting the stage for a career that would later explode onto the reality TV scene.
A Career Defined by Reality Television
Sandoval's career can be segmented into distinct, impactful eras, largely driven by his presence on television.The Vanderpump Rules Years (2013-2024)
The world was formally introduced to Tom Sandoval in 2013 as a main cast member of Vanderpump Rules, a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The show chronicled the lives of the staff at Lisa Vanderpump’s West Hollywood restaurants. Sandoval began as a bartender, first at Villa Blanca and later at SUR Restaurant & Lounge, where his charm, ambition, and often-tumultuous relationships became central plot points.For over a decade and across 173 episodes, viewers watched Sandoval navigate friendships, business ventures, and romantic entanglements. His "bromance" with fellow cast member Tom Schwartz became a fan-favorite dynamic, eventually leading to their real-life business partnership in the bars TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy's. His time on the show established him as one of Bravo's most recognizable faces.
Entrepreneurial Ventures and Creative Pursuits
Beyond bartending and reality stardom, Sandoval explored other creative and business avenues. In 2019, he co-authored a mixology book titled Fancy AF Cocktails: Drink Recipes from a Couple of Professional Drinkers. Written with his then-girlfriend Ariana Madix and writer Danny Pellegrino, the book was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and leveraged their brand as professional "drinkers" and bartenders.However, this venture was not without controversy. In December 2020, the trio faced a lawsuit from author Alison Baker, who alleged a breach of contract related to the book's creation. The legal dispute was eventually settled out of court in May 2022.
A Post-Scandoval Resurgence
In the wake of his personal life imploding in 2023, Sandoval embarked on a new chapter of his career, diversifying his reality TV portfolio with a series of high-profile competition shows.- The Masked Singer (2023): He competed on season ten of the popular singing competition as the "Diver." He was unmasked and eliminated on "NFL Night."
- Special Forces: World's Toughest Test (2023): Sandoval tested his physical and mental endurance on the grueling reality series, lasting for eight episodes.
- The Traitors (2025): Continuing his foray into competitive reality TV, Sandoval was cast on the highly anticipated third season of Peacock's hit series The Traitors, further solidifying his status as a go-to personality for high-stakes television.
Tom Sandoval Personal Life
Sandoval's romantic relationships have been as central to his public persona as his career.Early Relationships
From 2007 to 2013, Sandoval was in a long-term relationship with his Vanderpump Rules co-star, Kristen Doute. Their dramatic and messy breakup was a major storyline during the show's early seasons.The Tom and Ariana Era
Shortly after his split from Doute, Sandoval began a relationship with Ariana Madix in 2013. For nearly a decade, they were considered one of Bravo's most stable and beloved couples. They co-authored a book, bought a house together, and built a life in front of the cameras.The Scandal That Shook Bravo: "Scandoval"
In March 2023, the foundation of Sandoval and Madix's relationship crumbled in a spectacular public fashion. Madix discovered that Sandoval had been engaged in a months-long affair with her close friend and fellow co-star, Raquel (now Rachel) Leviss. The shocking revelation, dubbed "Scandoval" by fans and the media, became a cultural phenomenon. It dominated headlines, fueled the highest ratings in Vanderpump Rules history, and catapulted the cast to a new level of mainstream fame. The breakup was intensely emotional and played out in real-time for a captivated audience.Moving Forward
Following the explosive fallout, Sandoval has entered a new relationship. As of February 2024, he is publicly dating model Victoria Lee Robinson.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Tom Sandoval
1. Who is Tom Sandoval?Tom Sandoval is an American television personality, actor, and entrepreneur best known for being a main cast member on Bravo's Vanderpump Rules from 2013 to 2024. He is also known for competing on shows like The Masked Singer, Special Forces, and The Traitors.
2. What is "Scandoval"?
"Scandoval" is the media-given name for the 2023 cheating scandal involving Tom Sandoval. It refers to his secret affair with co-star Raquel Leviss while he was in a nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix, who was also Leviss's close friend.
3. What shows has Tom Sandoval been on besides Vanderpump Rules?
Sandoval has a long list of television credits. He has competed on The Traitors, The Masked Singer, and Special Forces: World's Toughest Test. He has also appeared on Celebrity Family Feud, Winter House, and has made numerous appearances on Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen.
4. Who has Tom Sandoval dated?
His most prominent public relationships have been with Vanderpump Rules co-stars. He dated Kristen Doute from 2007-2013 and Ariana Madix from 2013-2023. As of early 2024, he is dating model Victoria Lee Robinson.
5. Did Tom Sandoval appear in music videos?
Yes, early in his career, he played the role of "Jack" in two music videos for the band Bon Jovi: "Misunderstood" (2002) and "All About Lovin' You" (2003).
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