Reality TV’s most influential personalities. Tom SandovalAnd Ariana Madix found themselves at the center of drama after joining Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules.
Viewers were initially introduced to Sandoval’s love life through his tumultuous relationship with Kristen Doute. Amid their on-and-off relationship, the former couple’s future was called into question when Madix came to work at Lisa Vanderpump‘s restaurant SUR.
Rumors swirled that Sandoval and Madix hooked up while he was still with Doute — which both of the bartenders denied. Sandoval subsequently dated Madix in 2015, after a split with the former SUR waitress.
Doute, for her part, was vocal about her dislike for her ex-boyfriend’s new relationship. The season 3 episode saw Doute, a Michigan native, shock her fellow cast members by inviting a Miami woman to Los Angeles who claimed she had slept with Sandoval.
Madix later admitted that she didn’t have many regrets about the way she chose to handle the bombshell while cameras were rolling. “I don’t know. I was going say yes. I should’ve just, like, stayed there and not left,” she exclusively told Us WeeklyIn October 2021, about fleeing from Sandoval. “But we just went to a bar next door, had a drink and chilled until they were, like, ‘You have to come back here.’”
She continued: “The reason why we left is because we felt like production was pulling this whole thing. We were, like, ‘Oh, so random people just show up now. I do regret, I guess just not fully calling out the whole real story, like on camera and staying there.”
Earlier that year, Sandoval also questioned his decision to let Doute’s mistake rattle him so much. “If I can do anything over again, I just would have never even filmed with [Miami girl]. I just don’t think it’s really fair. Like, so I can, like, make up something about anybody and then end up on our show?” he told UsAugust 2021. “I wish I would have just never even engaged in that at all.”
After resolving their problems with Doute Sandoval was able to settle into their relationship with Madix. Although they are happy together the couple still have their differences. Paradise CityThe actress was open about her experiences during her time on Vanderpump RulesShe was having trouble with her mental health.
Madix used her platform on the show before to discuss topics such as her bisexuality, depression, and other topics. Season 8 featured the following: Fancy AF CocktailsAuthor revealed Stassi SchroederAnd Lala Kent that she wasn’t in a good place.
“I don’t enjoy most things very much, but you guys don’t know that because we don’t talk one-on-one,” Madix told Schroeder and Kent during an episode in February 2020. “I’m considering driving off the f–king freeway bridge when I’m driving home at night. I don’t talk to you guys about that stuff because it’s not safe. It’s not safe.”
Sandoval praised Madix for her honesty and willingness to share her struggles with others.
“Obviously it’s something that she struggles with on a regular basis,” he shared with UseThat was the same month. “All I could do is try to be supportive, try not to be annoying. Because I’ll try to overcompensate it and it’s annoying. I know it’s annoying, but I don’t know what to do. I want help. I want to help, but you can only do so much.”
Later that year, Madix gushed about her boyfriend’s support and love for her in a special Instagram tribute. “Took a trip into the vault for this post and ended up with too many gems to fit into the slideshow. 7’s are lucky numbers to many people, but your double 7/7 birthday makes me the luckiest one ☺️ my favorite parts of life with you are the quiet mornings when we get to sleep in, eating too much food together, all the cuddles with our girls, and getting to see the world with you,” she wrote via Instagram in July 2020. “Even if it’s just a walk around the block, i love seeing everything with you. You are my best friend! happiest of birthdays 🥰.”
Scroll down to relive Sandoval and Madix’s offscreen romance: