The Tom Sandoval interview on Howie Mandel's podcast left the internet fuming

After that messy Tom Sandoval interview, we're thinking the Pump Rules stars should take a breather for a bit

Tom Sandoval arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of Universal Pictures' 'Jurassic World Dominion' on June 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California
(Image credit: Emma McIntyre/WireImage/Getty)

Tom Sandoval's interview on the Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast was unleashed into the world on Tuesday, April 11, reigniting the flames of #Scandoval just as they began to cool off.

Less than a week after that disastrous WWHL Tom Schwartz sit-down, the man at the center of the Vanderpump Rules fiasco decided to share his side of the story with an unlikely and seemingly uninformed source: comedian Howie Mandel. What's more, Sandoval makes pretty bold claims during the discussion, and Mandel appears to side with his reckless behavior. (*Cue the backlash*)

Needless to say, the internet was not pleased...again. Perhaps the Toms should take a break from interviews for a little while?

Tom Sandoval interview: see the shocking claims

The interview focused on Sandoval and Ariana Madix's nine-year relationship falling apart, and how the two grew out of love and out of intimacy.

"I accepted it—you know, Ken and Lisa, they don’t have sex all the time,” Sandoval said. “I got porn, I can go crack one off in the bathroom. But there are so many other perks! The building of the brand, the everything, the image of it all."

He also very explicitly details his "magnetic" first encounter with Raquel Leviss, which ultimately led him to seek therapy. "We were back at my house, just talking. I'm locked out of my house. We just kissed. It was magnetic. We were talking, moving closer, and as we were talking, as time went on, we would just start talking closer and closer, and then all of a sudden, we're kissing."

Plus, Sandoval touched on his breakup with Madix around Valentine's Day 2023, a time in which he claims that she was in complete denial of their split and began acting erratically. "She was very upset. She fricken’ punched me,” Sandoval alleged. He also claims she said: "If you break up with me, you will effectively be ending my life."

Despite it all, Sandoval says he still loves and cares for Madix, but hasn't defined his relationship with Leviss at this time. The interview is available in full below. 

The internet reacts to the disastrous Tom Sandoval interview

But of course, loyal Bravo fans were quick to share their reactions. Judging from the Twitterverse alone, it appears as if no one was willing to come to Sanoval's defense...or give him a hug, as Schwartz suggested during his WWHL stint. 

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And, to wrap it all up, Mandel shaved Sandoval's mustache off to signify a new beginning. We're confused, too.

Now, onto the Vanderpump Rules reunion. New episodes of season 10 air on Wednesdays at 9pm ET on Bravo and are available the next day on Peacock.

Danielle Valente
Digital News Writer

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.


Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few. 


When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again.