Tom Schwartz has his “rose-colored glasses” again on on the subject of actuality TV — however that doesn’t imply he isn’t hesitant to start out filming season 11 of Vanderpump Rules within the wake of Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss’ affair.
“I’m at all times barely terrified once we begin a brand new season. We’ve been via a lot with this group and we’re a unstable crew,” Schwartz, 40, completely instructed Us Weekly on Friday, June 23, whereas selling his new Fox sequence, Stars on Mars. “We’ve always been a volatile group of friends. I don’t assume I’ve ever had an argument outdoors of this group, to be sincere. We’ve got plenty of historical past collectively and there’s been trials and tribulations, nevertheless it comes from a spot of affection.”
The fact star added that whereas he’s “scared” for cameras to choose again up for the brand new season, he seems like all the drama between the Pump Guidelines crew is at all times “earned” – and he’s “grateful” to be a part of a present that’s spent greater than a decade on air.
Schwartz initially confronted backlash after information broke in March that Sandoval, 40, had a months-long affair with costar Leviss, 28. Schwartz — who hooked up with Leviss at Scheana Shay and Brock Davies’ wedding ceremony in August 2022 — got here beneath fireplace when he revealed he knew concerning the dishonest scandal however didn’t inform Sandoval’s then-girlfriend, Ariana Madix, concerning the infidelity. (Earlier this month, Leviss revealed on half 3 of the Pump Guidelines season 10 reunion that she and Sandoval attached for the second time on the similar occasion.)
Schwartz later made headlines as soon as once more when he requested for empathy for his business partner and BFF amid the drama. (Schwartz and Sandoval are co-owners of L.A.-based eating places Schwartz & Sandy’s and TomTom.)
“To start with, Ariana, love you. I do know you don’t love me proper now, however I nonetheless love you. And in addition, Tom, I do know the entire world hates you. However I’m not going to desert you, outdated buddy. I’m not going to desert you,” the Minnesota native stated throughout an April look on Watch What Occurs Stay With Andy Cohen. “He is aware of he’s a monster for what he did. If you see him, perhaps give him a hug. Even when he doesn’t deserve it, give him a hug. He’s down unhealthy.”
Madix, 37, for her half, confirmed that she was now not on talking phrases with Schwartz due to his continued loyalty to her ex.
“I don’t assume you’re a [co-conspirator] however I can’t have mutual pals with him. So I am not your friend anymore,” Madix, who unfollowed Schwartz on social media in March, stated through the season 10 finale of Pump Guidelines. “I used to be his trip or die and defended him — to you even. Attempting to get him to go 5 days with out consuming so he may get his sperm examined so we may have embryos as a result of if he actually wished that down the highway I wished him to have that. I want I didn’t miss him however I really feel like what I miss isn’t actual.”
This time round, Schwartz has a unique plan of assault on the subject of coping with the group’s drama. “I really feel like I’ll be a bit extra stoic transferring ahead, Possibly I waffled a bit bit at first of [Scandoval],” he instructed Us on Friday. “I retreated inside.”
Following the explosive season 10 reunion, which aired earlier this month, Schwartz has claimed that he’s “taking a break” from the feuding after going through a lot scrutiny for his longtime pal’s actions.
“My good friend had an affair that simply occurred to comb the nation and it’s extremely tousled, however the factor is, I’ve grow to be mired in it. It’s become a huge source of just angst in my life. I’ve been on this prolonged funk,” he stated throughout a June episode of Stars on Mars. “He made an enormous mess. After which you recognize, he left it for us to wash up again on the companies. And it’s exhausting for me to not be resentful of him.”
One other factor Schwartz shall be altering for season 11? Taking extra “pleasure” in his “look.”
“I really feel like I’ve rocked Mumus for half of the length of Vanderpump Guidelines, you recognize? I’m sort of a scrub by nature. I prefer to be cozy. However perhaps now that I’m single I need to polish u my act a little bit,” he joked to Us. “I’m gonna do this. I’m gonna step my recreation [up] and attempt to be a bit extra suave. Just a little extra debonair. … I’m gonna get the makeover that I supposed to do final yr.”
Schwartz credit his newfound confidence to Stars on Mars, which premiered on Fox earlier this month and follows celebrities in a simulated area station on the purple planet the place they dwell, eat, sleep and strategize whereas going through bodily and emotional trials. Telling Us that he seems like “Tom 5.0” after taking part within the competitors sequence, he shared that he’s grow to be “extra stoic” and “a bit bit extra able to tackle no matter life throws at me.”
“I believe I’ve my rose-colored lenses again on. I believe this was a reoccurring theme final season, final yr, previous few years, is trying to get my Schwartz back,” he shared. “I believe I discovered doing the present going to ‘Mars,’ that it was at all times there. I simply wanted to, like, dig it out, refine it, and I sort of am doing what I set as much as do, which is falling in love with myself over again.”
Schwartz famous that Mars additionally taught him just a few classes he’ll be bringing into the Pump Guidelines universe. “I did shovel plenty of s—t and we ended up having to repurpose that for fertilizer,” he stated. “And I don’t know, perhaps there’s a metaphor there. Possibly there’s one thing I can glean heading into the following season. I’ll depart it at that.”
Stars on Mars airs on Fox Mondays at 8 p.m. ET and is obtainable to stream on Hulu the next day.
Join Us Weekly’s free, daily newsletter and by no means miss breaking information or unique tales about your favourite celebrities, TV exhibits and extra!
Reporting by Christina Garibaldi
