Ariana Madix And Tom Sandoval Reflect On Scandoval 2 Years Later: How They Both Agree On Life Without Cameras

Two years ago, reality TV star Ariana Madix discovered that her boyfriend of nine years, Tom Sandoval, had been having an affair with Rachel "Raquel" Leviss. The aftermath of the affair — which played out on Vanderpump Rules and was dubbed Scandoval — resulted in incredibly harsh repercussions for Tom. He was labeled the most hated man in America. On the other hand, Ariana quickly amassed a huge following, and job opportunities came flooding in.

Ariana has continued to find success, whether on Broadway or her hosting gig on Love Island. Meanwhile, Tom has had to navigate an overwhelming amount of hate, which even hurt his restaurant business with Tom Schwartz. However, being cast in Season 3 of The Traitors allowed viewers to slowly move past Scandoval.

Interestingly, both Ariana and Tom were interviewed by People Magazine and Us Weekly, respectfully, where they shared how their lives have changed since one of the most scandalous moments in reality TV history.

Ariana Madix Admitted She Was "Really Never Made For Reality TV"

Ariana Revealed She Struggled With Being Herself On Vanderpump Rules

In an exclusive with People, Ariana Madix opened up about her new look at life after Tom Sandoval's affair with their co-star, Rachel Leviss, in March 2023. It has been two years since Scandoval, and, surprisingly, she told the outlet that she's never even said the word "Scandoval" — that's certainly one way to say you're totally moved on from your ex.

However, what Ariana shared about being on reality TV may come as a shock to fans. In her interview, she expressed that she would never have committed to Season 12 of Vanderpump Rules.

"I don’t think I was ever going to go back to Vanderpump Rules. That’s the first time I’ve ever said that publicly, but I was never going to," she shared.

“It just didn’t feel right. Not in any sort of rude way, not in a professional, ‘We don’t need this,’ not in a, ‘I’m too good for this’, but it just didn’t feel right,” she explains. “If I did go back, I wouldn’t have been able to do the job that would make a good show. And so it just wasn’t going to make sense, the story didn’t make sense.”

Additionally, Ariana said that she was never cut out for reality TV as she would often criticize her appearance, which resulted in the star becoming her own worst enemy.

She continued, "I’ve also learned that maybe that’s not the best setting for me, and it’s not a setting that really allows me to be myself. And when you’re not being yourself, you get yourself into situations where you’re saying or doing things that you don’t really back or believe in."

Thankfully, Ariana is in a much better place today. The former DWTS contestant first appeared on Season 2 of VPR and shared over 10 years of her life on camera.

Tom Sandoval Is Done With Putting His "Entire Life Out There"

Tom Is Happier Living A More Private Life After VPR

Interestingly, Tom graced the cover of Us Weekly magazine and spoke about how much has changed (or has it?) surrounding his villainous title after Scandoval. For Tom, he's ready to move on from the affair and believes everyone else should, too.

When asked by the outlet if "he'll always be tied to Scandoval," Tom shared, "I can't predict the future, but I want to move on." The reality star also shared that he is "not the same person that I used to be."

"I've been in therapy and developing much better habits. I still do a lot of guided meditation and I’m taking a different direction in my life. We stay at home a lot more, which I’m loving. I’m so much healthier. We work out together, go on hikes. My day-to-day is so much different than it used to be."

In fact, Tom told Us Weekly that he's glad he's no longer sharing his life on a reality TV show. Something that his ex, Ariana, had also agreed on in her interview with People.

Tom continued, "Like, oh, you gotta talk about last night and this day, and what you ate for breakfast and what you’re having for lunch. It feels nice to have that privacy, and we both have really enjoyed that."

Tom Believes His Role In The Traitors Helped People See A Different Side To Him

Viewers Found Tom To Be "Comedy Gold" On The Traitors Season 3

When Tom Sandoval was cast in Season 3 of The Traitors, many fans probably agreed that it was fitting given his cheating scandal. However, host Alan Cumming decided not to make Tom a Traitor, but a Faithful. Tom was ultimately murdered in Episode 10, but fans got to see a different side to him which they truly enjoyed: armpit sweat, and all.

"I’m not saying I like the guy, but he is CRACKING me UP on The Traitors. Not because he’s trying… good grief no. But It’s comedy gold," a user of a Reddit thread shared.

"I think he's HYSTERICAL. My wife (whom is a big fan of Vanderpump Rules) HATES him and it drives her crazy that I like him so much so, me being the incredible husband that I am, lay it on that much thicker!" Another user wrote.

In his interview with Us Weekly, Tom stated that he enjoyed viewers who watched him on VPR for years, seeing a fun side to him on The Traitors, even though his musical stylings in one challenge were cringey.

" [I knew] being in a more positive, fun, gaming environment would get people to see me in a different light because it’s less about starting up drama and more just about playing the game and the funny antics that come with that and the campiness of it all," he said.

"Vanderpump Rules is a much different environment and it obviously evolved as we went on from season to season and our lives changed. It was, at times, a very toxic environment," Tom added.

After Tom was murdered in The Traitors, he expressed in a later interview that he had wanted to play the game so that he could "prove my worth to myself and to everyone else." Additionally, the former mixologist explained that it was important for him for fans to see his true self.

"One thing that was really important to me was to get back to being my normal, fun, enthusiastic self. The things that really make me, me." Additionally, Tom shared that he believed his VPR cast mates "wanted to see me fail miserably," but he was proud of how far he made it in the series.