Tom Schwartz Shares Advice for the New Vanderpump Rules Cast: "Don't Put Your Name On..."

Tom Schwartz went through a lot during his time on Vanderpump Rules. He got married and divorced to Katie Maloney; started two different bars with BFF, Tom Sandoval; and experienced his fair share of ups and downs with his friend group. Which is why he is now sharing his advice for the new cast of Vanderpump Rules Season 12.

Schwartz spoke with Extra on April 10, where he admitted that he has a few "lessons about what not to do in life" to share with the new cast of VPR Season 12. This includes something very important: "Don't put your name on the side of a bar EVER, ever," he joked, referring to his now-shuttered bar, Schwartz & Sandy's, the second bar that he opened with Tom Sandoval in 2022.

(Since then, Schwartz & Sandy's officially closed its doors in December 2024. At the time, Sandoval cited "other priorities" that led to its closing. But, Schwartz was reluctant to say goodbye to the "magical" spot. "There's some peace in knowing I gave my absolute all into S&S, fully committed, with every fiber of my being," Tom Schwartz wrote in his initial statement about the closing.)

Tom Schwartz shares his hopes for VPR Season 12 after cast shakeup

Although he has a very clear idea of what the cast shouldn't do, he's excited for the upcoming season. "I think it's going to be great," he said. He continued to the outlet, noting that the original cast was like "lightning in a bottle."

"They do have big shoes to fill," he admitted. "We were all living together, dating each other, doing other things with each other."

Tom Schwartz reveals his "genuine connection" with VPR boss, Lisa Vanderpump

Although Schwartz is not a cast member on VPR Season 12, he is still very close to SUR boss, Lisa Vanderpump, who he talks to "almost every week," as he told Extra. "I still have so much love and respect for her," he admitted. 

"I have a genuine connection with her, and I'm still business partners with her," he explained, referring to TomTom, the bar that he still co-owns with Lisa and Sandoval. "I still have my little minority stake in TomTom! So come hang with me at TomTom."

The feeling is mutual for Lisa. During an April 1 episode of Bravo's Hot Mic podcast, Lisa shared where she stands with the former cast of VPR and had nothing sweet to say about Schwartz. "I have a great relationship with Schwartz," she said. "I think he's truly a lovely, kind person, and it actually hurt me to see him kind of get a beating around the whole Scandoval time."