Tom Sandoval's interview on the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast was unleashed into the world on Tuesday, April 11, reigniting the flames of #Scandoval just as they began to cool off.
Less than a week after that disastrous WWHL Tom Schwartz sit-down, the man at the center of the Vanderpump Rules fiasco decided to share his side of the story with an unlikely and seemingly uninformed source: comedian Howie Mandel. What's more, Sandoval makes pretty bold claims during the discussion, and Mandel appears to side with his reckless behavior. (*Cue the backlash*)
Needless to say, the internet was not pleased...again. Perhaps the Toms should take a break from interviews for a little while?
Tom Sandoval interview: see the shocking claims
The interview focused on Sandoval and Ariana Madix's nine-year relationship falling apart, and how the two grew out of love and out of intimacy.
"I accepted it—you know, Ken and Lisa, they don’t have sex all the time,” Sandoval said. “I got porn, I can go crack one off in the bathroom. But there are so many other perks! The building of the brand, the everything, the image of it all."
He also very explicitly details his "magnetic" first encounter with Raquel Leviss, which ultimately led him to seek therapy. "We were back at my house, just talking. I'm locked out of my house. We just kissed. It was magnetic. We were talking, moving closer, and as we were talking, as time went on, we would just start talking closer and closer, and then all of a sudden, we're kissing."
Plus, Sandoval touched on his breakup with Madix around Valentine's Day 2023, a time in which he claims that she was in complete denial of their split and began acting erratically. "She was very upset. She fricken’ punched me,” Sandoval alleged. He also claims she said: "If you break up with me, you will effectively be ending my life."
Despite it all, Sandoval says he still loves and cares for Madix, but hasn't defined his relationship with Leviss at this time. The interview is available in full below.
The internet reacts to the disastrous Tom Sandoval interview
But of course, loyal Bravo fans were quick to share their reactions. Judging from the Twitterverse alone, it appears as if no one was willing to come to Sanoval's defense...or give him a hug, as Schwartz suggested during his WWHL stint.
"I don't want to say negative things about Ariana." Then proceeds to say negative things about Ariana. Good Lord this Howie Mandel podcast is a trainwreck. #PumpRules #VanderpumpRules #scandoval pic.twitter.com/TCfnDG3iwzApril 11, 2023
Me after watching Sandoval’s disastrous interview with Howie Mandel 🥴 #PumpRules pic.twitter.com/DkPzZhMVpLApril 11, 2023
Me after listening to Tom Sandoval spew pure bullshit for an hour on the Howie Mandel podcast: #PumpRules pic.twitter.com/6oeQpzomMFApril 11, 2023
The bravo verse watching Tom’s interview on Howie Mandel’s podcast #pumprules #Scandovol pic.twitter.com/DKoPUmQd8nApril 12, 2023
Tom Sandoval’s first interview post Scandoval is with….Howie Mandel. #pumprules #vanderpumprules #scanodoval pic.twitter.com/UztDokWtUQApril 10, 2023
If anyone is ever confused about the true definition of gaslighting, just watch the dumpster fire of an interview Sandoval just gave on *checks notes 📝* …Howie Mandel’s podcast?A full hour & 20 min of the most narcissistic gaslighting I’ve ever fckin seen holy shit #PumpRules pic.twitter.com/lEX55VT2JFApril 11, 2023
Watching Tom Sandoval on Howie Mandel’s podcast is enraging #PumpRules #Scandoval pic.twitter.com/w9Gf4ldaVEApril 11, 2023
Obsessed with Ariana booking movie roles and doing DWTS while Scando has his big break on… Howie Mandel’s podcast #PumpRules https://t.co/Ulrnf8Fce9 pic.twitter.com/1diP9g2YdpApril 11, 2023
Howie Mandel is now shaving Sandoval's mustache off live on his podcast as a "symbolic" fresh start 🥴 #PumpRules pic.twitter.com/yMzTIXnzRlApril 11, 2023
And, to wrap it all up, Mandel shaved Sandoval's mustache off to signify a new beginning. We're confused, too.
Now, onto the Vanderpump Rules reunion. New episodes of season 10 air on Wednesdays at 9pm ET on Bravo and are available the next day on Peacock.
