Tom Sandoval admitted that it “was inappropriate” for him to compare the backlash he received post-Scandoval to O.J. Simpson’s trial and George Floyd’s murder.
The “Vanderpump Rules” star took to his Instagram Story Tuesday to apologize for the controversial comments made during his recent interview with the New York Times, insisting that he meant no harm by the jaw-dropping comparisons.
“My intentions behind the comments I made in New York Times Magazine were to explain the level of national media attention my affair received,” he wrote.
“The comparison was inappropriate and ignorant. I’m incredibly sorry and embarrassed.”
The reality TV star, 42, made the comments after being asked why he thought his affair with Raquel Leviss had gotten “so big” in the media.
“I’m not a pop-culture historian really,” he told the outlet, “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?”
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Although Sandoval seemingly jumped right into the next talking point, the Times noted that a member of his “crisis PR” team started frantically texting on her phone.
“Sometimes he says too much, and the following day forgets what he says,” the young rep told the outlet.
In fact, the next day the outlet reportedly fielded several calls from Sandoval’s PR team as well as Bravo, all of whom tried to figure out exactly what the Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras frontman had said.
Despite his team seemingly trying to get ahead of things, the quote in question went viral online just hours after the interview was published — with many fans and even some of Sandoval’s former costars calling him out for the disturbing remarks.
“Hey Tom Schwartz you wanna come explain what he was really trying to say? … the f–k?” “VPR” star Katie Maloney wrote under a graphic of Sandoval’s quote, bringing her ex-husband and Sandoval’s best friend and business partner into things.
“Real Housewives of Miami” star Guerdy Abraira also chimed in, “PLEASE reflect on this repulsive statement you made (regarding GEORGE FLOYD r.i.p) especially on black history month and take it back!! NOT OK! An immediate apology is in order Sir!”
“The disrespect…and on black history month…WOW just plz,” she added.
Similarly, “Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard” star Jordan Emanuel also slammed Sandoval for the egregious comparison.
“Comparing slinging d—k to a Black man being murdered in front of our eyes during Black History Month is something I just don’t have words for.”
To refresh, Sandoval was caught having an affair with Leviss in March 2023, ending his nearly 10-year relationship with then-girlfriend and costar Ariana Madix.
Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis by a police officer in May 2020, causing a racial reckoning in the United States and abroad.
The response to his death led to hundreds of protests worldwide and the defunding of several police departments.
