Sophia Michaels
Tom Schwartz is still feeling the blowback over his role in Tom Sandoval’s affair with Raquel Leviss.
The “Vanderpump Rules” star opened up about his estranged pal and business partner’s messy entanglement, saying it’s “taken on a life of its own.”
On Monday’s episode of the Fox’s “Stars on Mars,” the 40-year-old revealed why he decided to take part in the competition series.
“I came up here to get a fresh mindset because this thing with my friend back home on Earth, it’s incredibly messed up,” Schwartz said.
“The Sandoval stuff, it’s a terrifying monster that’s taken on a life of its own now, and it’s having a negative impact on my focus, on my morale.”
“I did not have an affair, I’m not him. And it’s just so strange that I’ve been absolutely mired in this,” Schwartz added.
It comes as the Bravolebrity revealed that he is “terrified” to start filming Season 11 of “Vanderpump Rules.”
“I’m always slightly terrified when we started a new season. We’ve been through so much with this group and we’re a volatile crew,” Schwartz told Us Weekly last week.
“We’ve always been a volatile group of friends. I don’t think I’ve ever had an argument outside of this group, to be honest. We have a lot of history together and there’s been trials and tribulations, but it comes from a place of love.”
Despite being “scared” to return to the screen, the reality star said he is “grateful” to return to the show.
Schwartz was dragged into his pal’s messy affair after it was outed in March when Ariana Madix discovered a NSFW video of Leviss on her then-boyfriend’s cellphone.
Schwartz came under fire at the time after admitting he knew about the affair but decided to keep it under wraps in support of his friend — a move that was slammed by fans and co-stars alike.
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The fallout from the affair has since strained relations between the pair, with Schwartz admitting earlier this month he has been distancing himself from his longtime pal.
“He made a big mess and he left it for us to clean up,” Schwartz said on “When Reality Hits with Jax and Brittany.” “It’s hard for me not to be resentful of him … I’m taking a break from Tom right now.”
When he returns for Season 11, Schwartz said fans can expect him to “be a little more stoic” when drama comes around.
