Thanks, I Hate It
Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz are out for ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Season 12. Their cocktail lounge Schwartz & Sandy’s is also closing.
It’s a double blow of bad news for Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval. Just one day after the Bravo stars revealed they were closing their Hollywood bar Schwartz & Sandy’s, the network announced a Vanderpump Rules reboot with an all-new cast, leaving the reality stars out of a job.
Bravo reboots ‘Vanderpump Rules’ for season 12
Rumors that big changes were in store for Pump Rules have been swirling for months. Filming for the show was put on hold amid the fallout from Scandoval. Fans wondered how everyone would move forward following the cheating drama that ended Sandoval’s nine-year romance with Ariana Madix.
Now, Bravo has confirmed that Vanderpump Rules will return for season 12. However, there will be an entirely new group of SUR-vers under the tutelage of Lisa Vanderpump. Production on the new season will begin in 2025, with the new cast and a premiere date to be announced at a later date. Bravo also plans to air a retrospective special celebrating the first 11 seasons of the reality series.
“The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears and everything in between,” Vanderpump said. “I can’t thank enough those who have shared their lives. How I love you all. In the restaurant business, one shift always gives way to another. Cheers to the next generation of Vanderpump Rules.”
Schwartz & Sandy’s to close at the end of 2024
The Vanderpump Rules reboot means that several longtime cast members are now out of a job. Sandoval has been a main cast member since season 1, along with Scheana Shay and Katie Maloney. Madix and Schwartz have been main cast members since season 3. James Kennedy joined the show in season 4, while Lala Kent joined full-time in season 6.
The end of Schwartz and Sandoval’s Bravo career comes shortly after they announced that their Los Angeles cocktail lounge, Schwartz & Sandy’s would close at the end of 2024. It opened its doors in 2022. The pair told People that a combination of fallout from Scandoval and the challenges of running a restaurant post-COVID led to the decision to close. On Instagram, Schwartz said it was “not an easy conclusion” to shut the bar’s doors.
“Other priorities and commitments have taken hold,” Sandoval shared on his social media.
Schwartz & Sandy’s business reportedly took a hit in the wake of Scandoval, as fans loyal to Madix boycotted the lounge and left negative reviews on Yelp. Eventually, Sandoval took “a step back” and became “mostly as silent partner,” Schwartz said on The Viall Files podcast in early 2024 (via RealityTea).
“There’s been a shift,” he added. “Honestly we got doxxed. I’m not here to throw a pity party but it sucks that this business — that I put my heart and soul into — and so many people put so much time and energy into came crashing down because of one person’s actions in their personal life. But we suffered dearly. We really did. People have been coming in, there’s been an outpouring of support lately and it’s been a nice change of pace.”
TomTom, the West Hollywood restaurant the pair launched with Vanderpump in 2018, remains open. And while Sandoval’s days at Bravo are over, at least for now, he isn’t leaving reality TV behind. He’s set to appear in The Traitors Season 3, premiering Jan. 9 on Peacock.
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