Tom Sandoval has publicly affirmed that his friend and business partner, Tom Schwartz, “wears the pants” off-camera, challenging the notion that he is solely the more dominant figure in their friendship. Speaking exclusively to Us Weekly during BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas on November 14, Sandoval, 43, emphasized Schwartz’s strength of character.
“Schwartz has always had his own identity,” Sandoval stated. “It’s really funny that he says that because, you know, behind closed doors, Schwartz definitely wears the pants in a lot of ways.” He elaborated, noting that while he is more outspoken in public, Schwartz possesses a “very strong-set mindset” that often guides their decisions.
The two men have been close friends since their early days working at Lisa Vanderpump’s SUR restaurant and starring together on the reality show Vanderpump Rules. Over the years, they have collaborated on multiple ventures, including their restaurants, TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy’s.
During the event, Schwartz made a surprise announcement regarding his participation in the spinoff series, The Valley. He expressed that this opportunity allows him to step out of Sandoval’s shadow and establish his own identity. “I mean, like with the restaurant and dealing with something that’s not doing well, failing constant pressure and negativity,” Sandoval commented about the challenges faced with Schwartz & Sandy’s closure. “It sucks, and it definitely wears on your friendship, but overall, since we’ve moved past that, it’s definitely been better.”
Sandoval expressed support for Schwartz’s new journey, stating, “I’m glad that he’s on there and doing his own thing and being himself.” He highlighted Schwartz’s podcast as another avenue through which his friend is finding his voice.
Regarding his own future with The Valley, Sandoval revealed that he had previously been uncertain about participating. “Not currently for this season, I’ve been on the fence about whether I wanted to be on The Valley,” he remarked. “With that, I don’t think they want somebody on their show that’s going to be apprehensive about whether they want to be involved. I would be more open to it now, especially with Schwartz and Lala. It would feel more organic.”
Reflecting on life after Vanderpump Rules, Sandoval noted the benefits of distance and privacy. He has been enjoying time with his partner, Victoria, 33, who joined him at BravoCon for the first time. “It’s been nice, like, I get to coast and just sort of chill and meander,” he shared. He hinted at the possibility of marriage in the future, stating, “Who knows,” while expressing happiness about their relationship.
The atmosphere at BravoCon was filled with “great energy,” according to Sandoval, who mentioned that he and Victoria had connected with fellow personalities like Schwartz, Teddi Mellencamp, Tamra Judge, and Brittany Cartwright.
As both Sandoval and Schwartz navigate new chapters in their careers, their enduring friendship remains a central aspect of their journeys, showcasing the complexities of personal and professional relationships in the spotlight.
