Tom Schwartz has been spotted for the first time since the cheating scandal between his Vanderpump Rules co-stars Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss broke last week.
Schwartz, 40, flew out of LAX airport on Saturday after being accused by multiple cast members of knowing and hiding the affair of Sandavol, 39, from his then-girlfriend, Ariana Madix, 37 years old.
The reality TV star spoke to TMZ and revealed that his close friend and business partner Sandavol was “doing well”, but added that he had “a deep sense of sadness, and rightly so”. I think he feels like a piece of shit.
“And to some extent, maybe he is,” Tom added with a laugh. “But he knows he screwed up. It’s all really sad.
Schwartz was then asked if he knew about the affair, to which he replied, “I’d rather not talk about it right now”, and said it would “happen on the show”.
Schwartz stayed comfortable for the flight, sporting a green hoodie and hat, along with black sweatpants and sneakers.
He carried a large gray duffel bag over one shoulder and a black bag over the other, and had his hands full with his cell phone and boarding passes.
He also shared his thoughts on Ariana: “Luckily Ariana has a good support system and she’s with her friends. I don’t know where she is but I hope she’s living the good life and getting well. let it go. I hope she has a ride.
When asked how Raquel, 28, was feeling, he shared, “I haven’t spoken to Raquel. I haven’t seen or spoken to her since it all started.
Schwartz also added that he hopes the scandal will be over soon: “I just hope this all ends.”
Schwartz was then asked if he knew about the case, with the photographer asking, “A lot of people think you knew everything that was going on, did you know anything about it?”
“I’d rather not talk about it right now,” Schwartz replied, adding, “You’ll see him play on the show.” After being pressed further, he added, “It’s f*****g complicated. It’s the understatement of the year.
When asked if Raquel sharing a kiss on the show was to “cover up” the affair, he replied, “No, it’s not.” Unless I’m just a pawn in the game.
He also opened up about co-star Scheana Shay, after her attorney recently denied a claim that she punched Raquel during an altercation over her affair with Sandoval.
“I didn’t tell him about it. I haven’t spoken to Scheana.
Schwartz then added, “Really, I’m just sad about the negative impact this is having on our business. But I think cooler heads will prevail.
He also shared that the “last thing” on his mind right now was the show’s ratings, and that he was only “worried about Ariana,” but once emphasized to plus that she had a great support system.
Last week, it was revealed that Sandoval and Leviss reportedly had a “complete affair” for months, leading to his split from Madix.
Leviss and Sandoval have been “communicating inappropriately for months” according to a source who spoke with Page Six, and now “want to be together.”
The cheating scandal erupted earlier on Friday as it was revealed that Sandoval and Ariana have split after it emerged he had ‘hook up’ with Raquel, DailyMail.com has confirmed.
Madix – who dated Sandoval for nine years – reportedly found out about the alleged cheating with Leviss on Wednesday, ending their nine-year romance shortly after.
A source also told Page Six that Sandoval and Leviss had intended to tell Madix about the affair “for weeks.”
They waited so long, however, that Madix ended up discovering their secret herself on Wednesday night when she saw Leviss’ text messages on Sandoval’s phone.
Madix ditched Sandoval and Leviss on Instagram after learning of their months-long affair. She also dumped Schwartz, who allegedly found out about his friend’s deception “a month ago.”
Sandoval, who is also Schwartz’s business partner, wrote on his Instagram that his partner only learned of his infidelity “very recently” and “did not condone” his actions.