Tom Schwartz knows a thing or two about surviving a reality TV firestorm — and coming out the other side a little singed, but still standing.
The “Vanderpump Rules” alum, who weathered the fallout of the 2023 cheating scandal involving his former business partner Tom Sandoval, his then-girlfriend Ariana Madix and castmate Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, recently told Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” that the chaos came at a steep personal price.
“[I] somehow narrowly [survived] at a great cost to — oh my God — my sanity,” Schwartz said with a laugh.
Now starring on “The Valley,” Schwartz, 43, is watching another Bravo friend group unravel — this time on “Summer House” — and he has some hard-earned advice.
The latest drama centers around West Wilson and Amanda Batula, who secretly hooked up behind the back of Wilson’s ex Ciara Miller — Batula’s former close friend — before issuing a widely criticized public statement on March 31, admitting the betrayal.
Schwartz spoke to us on April 23, the same day the “Summer House” cast filmed their reunion, and emphasized the importance of leading with honesty when tensions peak.
“Listen, as you get older, this too shall pass. Everyone’s going to be OK,” he said. “But when you’re in there and you’re on stage, just be honest. I don’t know. I know it’s hard, especially when people start bringing up timelines and stuff.”
And yes — those timelines matter.
“The timeline actually does matter, right?” Schwartz added. “If the overlap goes back into the point where [Batula and estranged husband Kyle Cooke] still, like, married, I don’t know.”
As a viewer, Schwartz admitted that the unfolding dynamic between Wilson, 31, and Miller, 30 — who appear to be rebuilding a flirty friendship in current episodes — has been tough to watch given what’s to come.
“Hard watch,” he said bluntly.
Still, Schwartz insisted he’s rooting for everyone involved, noting that the stakes are higher when real friendships, not just storylines, are on the line.
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“I really like those guys, I’m rooting for them. Individually, like as a cast. Not even as a cast, but like a real group of friends,” he explained. “They’re a group of friends. They hang out off-camera, they’re tight and I’m just worried.”
As for Miller, Schwartz believes she’s emerging stronger than ever — scandal or not.
“Well-deserved with or without this whole situation,” he said of her recent success, which includes major brand deals, a “Glamour” magazine cover and a spot on the upcoming season of “Dancing With the Stars.” “Ciara’s a star. She’s a star. Some people just have it… she just has a je ne sais quoi.”
“The Valley” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo with new episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.
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