Tom Sandoval is speaking out about his potential redemption arc and viewers possibly turning on his ex-girlfriend, Ariana Madix, amid Vanderpump Rules season 11.
Ahead of the new season’s premiere, Sandoval, 41, is dishing on what brought the cast “together” amid production, sharing his thoughts on viewers’ perception, and revealing which co-stars had the most empathy for him after “Scandoval.” He also reacted to Katie Maloney‘s warning to Scheana Shay, 38, and he admitted the season would’ve been “different” had Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, 29, not quit.
“I think that a lot of my castmates and friends, we had such deep connections, and obviously when all this stuff happened, we weren’t talking at all, and it was a lot of, on both sides, being very reactive,” Sandoval recalled during an interview with Page Six at the premiere party last week.
Months later, after the cast had time to cool off, Sandoval said there was a shift in their dynamic.
“When you start to see us come together, you can’t help but find that common ground, or the [reason] we became friends — the love that has always been there,” he explained.
As far as Ariana and her potentially bad season, Sandoval said he wasn’t sure how fans would receive her since he doesn’t know much about her season 11 storyline.
“I can’t really say much about it because I wasn’t really around her,” he shared. “I didn’t talk to her so I don’t know if she did certain things or how she acted.”
According to Sandoval, Tom Schwartz, 40, and his longtime friend Kyle Chan were quite supportive of him after “Scandoval” broke in March of last year. But they weren’t the only ones he had in his corner.
“Definitely [Brock Davies] and Scheana,” he replied when asked who was “most supportive.”
When Sandoval was then asked about Katie, 37, warning Scheana not to get too close to him because it could jeopardize her friendship with Ariana, 38, he said, “I’m not necessarily in agreement with that, but I’m not Katie Maloney.”
“She obviously has her thoughts,” he added.
Also during the interview, Sandoval was asked how the season would be different had Raquel chosen to return.
“Oh, I have no idea. Oh my gosh.. Of course, it probably would’ve been different,” he stated.
Vanderpump Rules season 11 premieres Tuesday, January 30, at 8/7c on Bravo.
