Join Irina Alexander, a New York Times Magazine writer, and Tom Sandoval, the notorious reality star from Vanderpump Rules, as they unravel the phenomenon of 'Scandoval.' They dive into Tom's dramatic fall from grace after his affair, exploring how public betrayal transformed him into a cultural lightning rod. With candid insights, Tom discusses the emotional toll of fame, mental health, and the ever-changing landscape of reality TV. Discover the intersection of personal crisis and media frenzy as they navigate this compelling saga.
49:00
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Scandoval's Impact
The "Scandoval" affair on Vanderpump Rules propelled the show to national attention, becoming a top headline on CNN and the New York Times.
This cheating scandal turned Tom Sandoval into a reality TV villain and significantly boosted the show's ratings.
insights INSIGHT
Vanderpump's Metamorphosis
Vanderpump Rules evolved from a show about aspiring actors working in a restaurant to a meta-reality show about reality stars.
Tom Sandoval's transformation from a likable Midwesterner to a Hollywood-influenced persona makes his affair both shocking and unsurprising.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Scandoval's Fallout
The timing of the affair's reveal, mid-season, turned it into a captivating whodunnit for viewers.
Ariana Madix, the wronged girlfriend, experienced a career surge post-scandal, while Tom Sandoval faced widespread public backlash.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
This book offers a mix of classy cocktails for special occasions and trashier recipes for casual gatherings. It includes shots and recovery drinks, along with behind-the-scenes stories and photos. The book is a must-have for fans of Vanderpump Rules, featuring contributions from Bravo insider Danny Pellegrino.
Single AF Cocktails
Drinks for Bad B*tches
Ariana Madix
In *Single AF Cocktails*, Ariana Madix shares her personal story of heartbreak and resilience through a series of cocktails categorized into relationship-inspired sections like Honeymoon Phase, Betrayal, Devastation, Resilience, and Ad Astra. The book offers a unique blend of recipes and personal narrative, featuring stunning photography and never-before-told stories.
At the end of a quiet, leafy street in the Valley in Los Angeles, the reality TV star Tom Sandoval has outfitted his home with landscaping lights that rotate in a spectrum of colors, mimicking the dance floor of a nightclub. The property is both his private residence and an occasional TV set for the Bravo reality show “Vanderpump Rules.” After a series of events that came to be known as “Scandoval,” paparazzi had been camped outside, but by the new year it was just one or two guys, and now they have mostly gone, too.
“Scandoval” is the nickname for Sandoval’s affair with another cast member, which he had behind the backs of the show’s producers and his girlfriend of nine years. This wouldn’t be interesting or noteworthy except that in 2023, after being on the air for 10 seasons, “Vanderpump” was nominated for an Emmy for outstanding unstructured reality program, an honor that has never been bestowed on any of the network’s “Housewives” shows. It also became, by a key metric, the most-watched cable series in the advertiser-beloved demographic of 18- to 49-year-olds and brought in over 12.2 million viewers. This happened last spring, when Hollywood’s TV writers went on strike and cable TV was declared dead and our culture had already become so fractured that it was rare for anything — let alone an episode of television — to become a national event. And yet you probably heard about “Scandoval” even if you couldn’t care less about who these people are, exactly.
As “Vanderpump” airs its 11th season, Tom Sandoval reflects on his new public persona.
Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The Daily 
