Reality TV star Tom Sandoval faces backlash and issues an apology after drawing controversial comparisons between media coverage of his cheating scandal, dubbed “Scandoval,” and high-profile cases involving George Floyd and O.J. Simpson.
In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, Sandoval was questioned about the extensive media attention on his 2023 affair with co-star Raquel Leviss. He remarked, “I witnessed the O.J. Simpson thing and George Floyd and all these big things, which is really weird to compare this to that, I think, but do you think in a weird way it’s a little bit the same?”
After the story’s publication, Sandoval took to Instagram to apologize, acknowledging the inappropriateness and ignorance of his comments. Fellow reality TV stars, including “Vanderpump Rules” cast mate Katie Maloney, criticized him for equating his love life headlines with the infamous murders of O.J. Simpson and the death of George Floyd.
O.J. Simpson, a former actor and NFL star, was acquitted in 1995 for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. George Floyd, a Black man, was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis in May 2020, sparking global outrage and protests.
Social media erupted with condemnation for Sandoval, with viewers expressing shock and disgust at the inappropriate comparison, especially during Black History Month. Some called for his removal from the Bravo series, tagging executive producer Andy Cohen.
View this post on Instagram
The New York Times Magazine feature revealed that Sandoval left the room after making the controversial statement, with a member of his publicity team acknowledging his tendency to speak too much and forget later.
Sandoval’s nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix ended following the revelation of his affair with Leviss. The scandal continues to generate headlines as “Vanderpump Rules” enters its eleventh season. Madix recently filed a lawsuit to compel Sandoval to sell their jointly owned home in Los Angeles, seeking equitable allocation of the proceeds.