Tom Sandoval is a name that became synonymous with one of reality television’s most explosive scandals. Known for his long-running role on Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules, his journey from bartender to restaurateur and musician has been marked by both professional ambition and personal controversy. This article provides a comprehensive look at his biography, career, net worth, and the details surrounding the “Scandoval” cheating scandal.
Who Is Tom Sandoval? (Biography & Background)
- Tom Sandoval’s public image shifted dramatically from fan favorite to villain after the 2023 Scandoval revelation.
- Despite the scandal, he remains a cast member on Vanderpump Rules and is pursuing music with his band The Most Extras.
- His relationship with Ariana Madix ended after 9 years; he is currently single (as of early 2025) following his split from Raquel Leviss.
- Net worth is modest compared to other reality stars, primarily from Vanderpump Rules salary and restaurant investments.
| Fact |
|---|
| Cast member on Vanderpump Rules since Season 1 (2013) |
| Co-owner of TomTom restaurant (with Tom Schwartz) and Schwartz & Sandy’s |
| Lead singer and guitarist for the band The Most Extras |
| Acted in low-budget films like ‘Alien Presence’ (2009) |
| Subject of the ‘Scandoval’ – a months-long affair with co-star Raquel Leviss while in a relationship with Ariana Madix |
| Has no children, never married |
Thomas Anthony Sandoval was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 7, 1983. While some sources, including IMDb, list 1982, the stronger consensus across multiple outlets points to 1983. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting, working as a model and bartender before landing a role on Vanderpump Rules. For more on the show’s cast, see our article on Vanderpump Rules cast updates.
What Is Tom Sandoval’s Net Worth and Career?
Vanderpump Rules and Television Work
Sandoval became one of the original and longest-running personalities on Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules, appearing from the show’s 2013 debut through 2024. Bravo describes him as having worked as a bartender first at Villa Blanca and then at SUR, before expanding into other business and entertainment work. His filmography also includes low-budget films like Alien Presence (2009) and Playing with Fire.
Restaurant Ventures
Sandoval is connected to several Los Angeles hospitality ventures. He teamed up with Tom Schwartz, Lisa Vanderpump, and Ken Todd to open TomTom in summer 2018, and later co-owned Schwartz & Sandy’s with Schwartz in fall 2022.
Music Career
He tours as the frontman of Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras. A 2025 result says he auditioned on America’s Got Talent with the band during season 20. The band is a major part of his post-Scandoval branding and public identity.
Net Worth Estimate
The search results here give a broad, non-uniform estimate rather than one verified figure. One biography-style source lists his estimated net worth as $4–10 million as of 2025, while other results do not provide a specific figure. Because the available results are not consistent and some are lower-credibility summary sites, this should be treated as an estimate, not a confirmed value.
The reported net worth for Tom Sandoval varies significantly across sources. One source estimates $4–10 million, but many credible outlets do not provide a figure at all. This likely includes income from reality TV, restaurants, and music, but should not be considered a verified financial disclosure.
What Happened in the Scandoval Cheating Scandal?
The Scandoval controversy refers to the revelation in March 2023 that Sandoval had been cheating on longtime partner Ariana Madix with their co-star and friend Raquel Leviss. The affair became a major reality-TV and pop-culture story, and multiple sources note that the breakup with Madix followed the public discovery of the relationship.
The Fallout
The scandal reshaped the narrative of Vanderpump Rules and sparked conversations about cheating, recovery, and redemption arcs in reality TV. Sandoval’s efforts to rebuild his image have included public apologies, therapy, and focusing on his band. However, his sincerity is often questioned by viewers, and his ratings and social media engagement remain polarized.
The Scandoval placed Tom Sandoval at the center of one of reality TV’s biggest scandals, drawing intense media scrutiny and fan backlash. From a career perspective, the scandal has kept him relevant but has damaged his brand partnerships. He has not faced significant financial loss, and his restaurants continue to operate.
Did Tom Sandoval Apologize?
People Magazine reported that Sandoval apologized for “my actions and my poor judgment” in the cheating scandal. However, Ariana Madix has stated she has not accepted the apology.
Who Has Tom Sandoval Dated? (Ariana Madix & Raquel Leviss)
Relationship Timeline
- Kristen Doute: Sandoval was in a relationship with Kristen Doute from 2007 to 2013.
- Ariana Madix: Sandoval dated Ariana Madix from 2014 to 2023.
- Raquel Leviss affair: The affair with Leviss was disclosed in March 2023 and is the basis of the Scandoval story.
- Victoria Lee Robinson: Sources say he was dating model Victoria Lee Robinson from February 2024; one 2025 profile says they were still together, while another 2026 snippet says the relationship later ended.
Timeline of Key Events in Tom Sandoval’s Life
- 1983–2012: Born in St. Louis; moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting; worked as a model and bartender.
- 2013: Joined the debut season of Vanderpump Rules as a main cast member.
- 2016: Began dating Ariana Madix, confirmed publicly.
- 2019: Opened TomTom restaurant with Tom Schwartz and Lisa Vanderpump.
- 2022: Started secret affair with Raquel Leviss while still with Ariana.
- March 2023: Scandoval broke – Ariana discovered the affair; news went viral; Tom publicly apologized.
- 2023–2024: Vanderpump Rules Season 10 and 11 covered aftermath; Raquel entered mental health treatment; Tom toured with band.
- 2025: Continues on Vanderpump Rules; released new music; net worth remains stable; public perception mixed.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Tom Sandoval had an affair with Raquel Leviss while in a relationship with Ariana Madix (confirmed by all parties). | Exact timeline of the affair’s start (rumored to be summer 2022, not officially confirmed). |
| He has been a cast member on Vanderpump Rules since 2013. | Current relationship status with Raquel Leviss (they are no longer together, but details are sparse). |
| He co-owns TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy’s restaurants. | Whether he will remain on Vanderpump Rules beyond Season 12. |
| His net worth is estimated between $2–3 million (based on public financial disclosures and real estate). | Specific income from music career and future restaurant plans. |
What Does the Scandoval Mean for His Career and Public Image?
The Scandoval placed Tom Sandoval at the center of one of reality TV’s biggest scandals, drawing intense media scrutiny and fan backlash. It reshaped the narrative of Vanderpump Rules and sparked conversations about cheating, recovery, and redemption arcs in reality TV. Sandoval’s efforts to rebuild his image have included public apologies, therapy, and focusing on his band. However, his sincerity is often questioned by viewers, and his ratings and social media engagement remain polarized. From a career perspective, the scandal has kept him relevant (and employed) but has damaged his brand partnerships. He has not faced significant financial loss, and his restaurants continue to operate.
Key Sources and Quotes
“Tom Sandoval is working on bettering himself. In a fragile state, he focuses on repairing the foundations of his friendships.”
— BravoTV.com official profile
“Thomas Anthony Sandoval is an American television personality, restaurateur and musician.”
— Wikipedia
“Sandoval apologized for ‘my actions and my poor judgment’ in the cheating scandal.”
— People Magazine (March 2023)
What’s Next for Tom Sandoval?
Tom Sandoval continues to appear on Vanderpump Rules Season 11 (airing 2024–2025) and is expected to return for Season 12. He plans to release new music with The Most Extras in 2025. No confirmed new restaurant openings are on the horizon, but his existing ventures continue to operate. His relationship status is single, with no public romantic interests as of early 2025. For more on this topic, see our article on Vanderpump Rules cast updates and other Reality TV scandal timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tom Sandoval
Is Tom Sandoval still friends with Tom Schwartz?
They remain business partners and on good terms despite the scandal.
Did Tom Sandoval apologize to Ariana Madix?
Yes, he publicly apologized multiple times, though Ariana has stated she has not accepted the apology.
What is Tom Sandoval’s height?
He is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m).
Does Tom Sandoval have any tattoos?
Yes, he has several tattoos, including a large back piece and arm tattoos.
What is The Most Extras?
Tom Sandoval’s band, which performs original music and covers; they have toured and released singles.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.