Tom Sandoval: Affair, Apology, Lawsuit, and AGT Backlash

Tom Sandoval, a fixture on Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules, found himself at the center of one of the most talked-about scandals in recent reality TV history after his months-long affair with co-star Raquel Leviss came to light in March 2023. This article traces the timeline from revelation to public apology, dropped lawsuit, and his controversial America’s Got Talent appearance, separating verified facts from lingering questions.

Born: July 7, 1983 ·
TV Debut: 2013 (Vanderpump Rules) ·
Instagram Followers: 1 million ·
Known For: Vanderpump Rules cast member, musician, restaurateur ·
Net Worth: Unknown (speculated around $1–2 million based on cast income)

Eight key data points, one pattern: Tom Sandoval’s public profile rests on two pillars — a reality TV career built over a decade and a scandal that redefined his reputation overnight.

What was the deal with Tom Sandoval?

Who is Tom Sandoval?

• Tom Sandoval is an American TV personality, restaurateur, and musician born July 7, 1983 in St. Louis, Missouri (Wikipedia (editor-reviewed database)).
• He has been a cast member on Vanderpump Rules since its debut in 2013 (Wikipedia).
• He is also the lead singer of the band Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras.

What is Tom Sandoval known for?

His primary fame comes from Vanderpump Rules, where he appeared as a main cast member for over a decade. He also owns a share of the restaurant TomTom in Los Angeles alongside Tom Schwartz. In 2025, his band auditioned for America’s Got Talent (Wikipedia).

The implication: Sandoval’s career has always balanced reality TV with side ventures in music and hospitality, but the Scandoval shifted public attention entirely to his personal life.

What did Tom Sandoval do to Ariana Madix?

When did the affair with Raquel Leviss start?

• The affair reportedly began in August 2022 after a boys’ night out, according to a timeline provided by BravoTV (official network).
• In January 2023, Sandoval told co-star Tom Schwartz that he was “in love” with Leviss (BravoTV).

How did Ariana Madix find out?

Ariana Madix discovered incriminating evidence on Sandoval’s phone on March 1, 2023, according to ET Online (entertainment news). The couple had been together for approximately nine years (People (verified entertainment news)).

The pattern: the timeline shows a deliberate concealment that cut deep into the show’s trust.

What was Tom Sandoval accused of?

Was Tom Sandoval accused of cheating?

• Yes, he was accused of cheating on Ariana Madix with Raquel Leviss. The affair was characterized by castmates and fans as a deep betrayal because it occurred while Vanderpump Rules season 10 was being filmed (ET Online).

What other accusations were made?

Sandoval was also accused of hiding the affair for months. Reports from People note that he actively concealed the relationship from Madix and the show’s producers. The media dubbed the scandal “Scandoval” (Wikipedia).

What this means: the accusations weren’t just about infidelity—they were about manipulating the reality TV format itself.

Is Tom still suing Ariana?

Why did Tom Sandoval sue Ariana Madix?

In January 2024, Ariana Madix filed a lawsuit against Sandoval seeking a court order to force the sale of the Los Angeles home they had shared (People). Sandoval later countersued or filed his own legal claims — exact details are limited — but the case involved financial disputes over the property.

Did Tom Sandoval drop the lawsuit?

Reports indicate Sandoval dropped his lawsuit against Madix and also fired his lawyer (ET Online). The specific reasons for dropping the suit remain unclear from published reports.

The trade-off: Dropping the legal fight may have been a strategic move to avoid further public backlash, but it also meant Madix retained control over the home sale process.

Did Tom ever apologize to Ariana?

When did Tom Sandoval apologize?

• Sandoval issued a general Instagram statement on March 4, 2023, and a second apology directed specifically to Ariana Madix on March 7, 2023 (BravoTV).

What did the apology say?

According to ET Online, Sandoval admitted he was “selfish” and “reckless,” and expressed regret for the pain he caused. He did not, however, address the specifics of the affair.

“I am truly sorry. I was selfish. I was reckless. I made a huge mistake.”

— Tom Sandoval, via Instagram, March 7, 2023 (as reported by ET Online)

The gap: despite the apology, there is no public confirmation that Madix accepted it.

What did Simon Cowell say about Tom Sandoval?

What happened on America’s Got Talent?

Tom Sandoval and his band auditioned for season 20 of America’s Got Talent in 2025. The judges — Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Mel B, and Howie Mandel — all voted yes, sending the band to the live shows (Wikipedia). During the live performance, Cowell buzzed the band and later said the performance “did not sound good” (Wikipedia).

How did Tom Sandoval respond to Simon Cowell?

Sandoval did not publicly challenge Cowell’s critique. The band was eliminated in the first week of the live shows (Wikipedia).

“It did not sound good.”

— Simon Cowell, via America’s Got Talent (as reported by Wikipedia)

The catch: the AGT rejection added a fresh round of public criticism to Sandoval’s post-scandal narrative.

What has happened to Tom Sandoval?

Is Tom Sandoval still on Vanderpump Rules?

Yes, Sandoval continues to appear on Vanderpump Rules as of the latest seasons (Wikipedia).

What is Tom Sandoval doing now?

• He released music with his band Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras, including a scheduled performance at Dr Pepper Park in 2025.
• He appeared on season 3 of The Traitors in 2025 (Wikipedia).
• He faced public backlash but continues to pursue entertainment and music careers.

The implication: the pattern of public missteps makes a full comeback uncertain.

Timeline of Tom Sandoval’s Public Life

• 1983: Born in St. Louis, Missouri (Wikipedia).
• 2009: Appeared in film Alien Presence (Wikipedia).
• 2013: Joined cast of Vanderpump Rules (Wikipedia).
• March 1, 2023: Affair with Raquel Leviss exposed; ET Online reports Madix found evidence on Sandoval’s phone (ET Online).
• March 4–7, 2023: Public apologies issued via Instagram (BravoTV).
• January 2024: Madix files lawsuit to force home sale; Sandoval later drops his own legal claims (People).
• 2025: Band auditions for AGT, advances but eliminated after Cowell buzz; also appears on The Traitors (Wikipedia).
• 2025 (scheduled): Band performs at Dr Pepper Park (Wikipedia).

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Confirmed facts

• Tom Sandoval had an affair with Raquel Leviss while in a long-term relationship with Ariana Madix (People).
• He issued two apologies — a general one and one directed at Madix (BravoTV).
• He dropped a lawsuit against Madix and fired his lawyer (ET Online).

What’s unclear

• Exact timeline of when the affair began — Bravo says August 2022, but no independent corroboration (BravoTV).
• Whether Ariana Madix accepted the apology — no public statement from her (ET Online).
• Tom Sandoval’s net worth — official figures are not available; estimates range based on cast income (Wikipedia).
• Whether Simon Cowell’s criticism was genuine or part of the show’s format (Wikipedia).

Key Quotes

“I was selfish. I was reckless. I made a huge mistake.”

— Tom Sandoval, Instagram apology (via ET Online)

“It did not sound good.”

— Simon Cowell, on Tom Sandoval’s AGT performance (as reported by Wikipedia)

For Vanderpump Rules fans, the implication is clear: Sandoval’s path to redemption runs through genuine accountability and sustained effort, not public apologies or TV appearances. Whether Bravo keeps him on the show or the audience moves on will determine if this is a comeback or a slow fade.

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