Tom Sandoval continues to show how far his perception is from reality. He’s now compared Scandoval to the murder of George Floyd. Yes, really.
Speaking to The New York Times Magazine, Tom was asked why he thought his affair with Rachel Leviss – coined Scandoval – had gotten so big. Indeed, it dominated entertainment news headlines in the weeks and months following its exposure, before being detailed in the Vanderpump Rules Season 10 finale and reunion.
“I’m not a pop-culture historian really,” he replied, “but 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?”
No, Sandoval, this isn’t the same as George Floyd’s murder
If ever there would be a time for Sandoval’s publicist to pull his head out of his ass, this was it. Unfortunately, she didn’t seem to immediately step in. The NYT Magazine’s article instead says she was “typing furiously on her phone.” It had earlier revealed her to be a Pump Rules super-fan ahead of her hiring.
To Sandoval’s credit, journalist Irina Aleksander, who conducted the interview, says she thought she knew what he meant. “He was trying to express the oddity of becoming the symbolic center of a nationwide discussion and a major news story,” she explained. “What he communicated instead was something more honest, which is just how much the experience had made him lose perspective.”
“Sometimes he says too much, and the following day forgets what he says,” his assistant later clarified. Tom had gone upstairs at this point, and she quickly followed after her comments. Then, Bravo got in touch with Irina to suggest no further interviews take place. While they eventually did, sadly, there was no further discussion of this particular interaction.
However, a source close to Sandoval did exclusively reveal to Reality Tea his intent. “He was comparing the scandal to other national news stories that made huge headlines globally,” they explained. “That’s it.” As a British man, I can promise you that Scandoval did not make “huge headlines” over here in the same way George Floyd’s murder did. And rightfully so.
At the very least, Sandoval should be apologizing for insensitivity. But don’t hold your breath.
Vanderpump Rules Season 11 continues Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – HAS SANDOVAL GONE TOO FAR WITH THIS GEORGE FLOYD COMPARISON?
