Tom Schwartz Talks Katie Flood Winter House Romance
Unlike Las Vegas, what happens on Winter House doesn’t necessarily stay there.
So when Vanderpump Rules‘ Tom Schwartz and Below Deck‘s Katie Flood had an onscreen romance on the Bravo show, Schwartz’s ex-wife Katie Maloney was privy to all the details. And her reaction may surprise you.
“She was very supportive,” the TomTom co-owner exclusively told E! News’ Francesca Amiker. “Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought she was going to be annoyed or just disappointed that I’d had a romance on camera. Even though at that point we had been separated for a year. And again a very healthy, amicable separation.”
Well, sort of. “Okay there was a few bumps along the way, if you watched [Vanderpump] last season,” he added with a laugh. “But for the most part it’s all love with me and Katie and I’m always rooting for her. And she’s crushing life right now. It makes me happy to see her just thriving.”
Schwartz is happy, too. Especially after connecting with Flood on Winter House. (Yes, they acknowledged the commonality of her name and his ex’s moniker.)
“She’s obviously beautiful, on the surface” Schwartz told E! of Flood. “But she has a great sensibility. She’s self-deprecating, she’s really funny. And she’s got a lot of humility, too. We kind of got a little spark going and we had some chemistry.”
But has their romance carried through the changing seasons?
“I think we’re really good friends,” Schwartz revealed. “We haven’t like friend-zoned each other, we stay in touch.”
Gabe Ginsberg, Bravo, Mindy Small (Getty Images)
Another good friend he’s spending time with? Tom Sandoval, of course. After all, following the VPR‘s explosive season 10—which saw Sandoval and Raquel Leviss‘ affair come to light—both Toms are single.
And ready to mingle. As long as it’s not a blind date.
“Tom knows I don’t like being set up,” Schwartz said. “I have some sort of innate opposition to it.”
But if he were to set Sandoval up, Schwartz said he’d be looking for “somebody who just gets Tom Sandoval. Because he’s not for everybody.”
To see what the Toms, Maloney and the rest of the Vanderpump Rules cast have been up to since the wrap of season 10, keep reading.
Ariana Madix & Daniel Wai Are Going Strong
Several days after Vanderpump Rules’ explosive reunion concluded June 7, Ariana Madix jetted off to NYC for some early birthday celebrations with her new man Daniel Wai.
The couple, who first sparked romance rumors in April when they were spotted making out at Coachella, attended Governors Ball Music Festival together with friends before heading out to party the night away on June 11.
Madix’s costars even gave their stamp of approval on her new boyfriend.
“The way that I witnessed him treat her, I’ve honestly—not even in the beginning of her relationship with Tom—ever seen her light up the way she does when he gets around her, when she talks about him,” Scheana Shay exclusively told E! News in May. “It’s been really, really amazing to just see her so happy.”
Lala Kent added, “Just the way that she talks about him, her energy is just completely different. I’m so happy for her, because as an outsider, I was watching her and her relationship, just really feeling for her.”
Bravo
Tom Sandoval Defends T-Shirt Sex Comment About Ariana Madix
After receiving criticism from both fans and his castmates for calling out Madix for wearing a T-shirt during sex, Tom Sandoval insisted his words were never intended to be a dig at his ex’s physical appearance.
“I’ve never body-shamed Ariana—ever,” he clarified on June 14. “I don’t know if that was taken out of context. I think people added their own context to it.”
Meanwhile, Sandoval continued to tour the country with his cover band Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras.
Todd Williamson/Bravo
Tom Schwartz Distances Himself From Scandoval
On the June 12 episode of Fox’s reality show Stars on Mars, Sandoval’s BFF Tom Schwartz revealed he wants to distance himself from his business partner’s “incredibly messed up” affair.
“It seems each time I try to weigh in or talk about, ramble on about it, drivel on, I inevitably sound like I’m somehow justifying it or making excuses for it, and I’m not,” he shared. “Any sort of version of his side of the story has become obsolete because of the way he handled it. Ultimately, that’s his life. That is his life. I did not have an affair. I am not him. It’s just so strange that I’ve been absolutely mired in this. It’s taken on almost a life of its own. And after this, I’m stepping away from it permanently.”
Nicole Weingart/Bravo
Raquel Leviss Enters Treatment
After revealing she was seeking mental health treatment in early April, Raquel Leviss remains in an undisclosed facility.
“She is a young woman that is and has been remorseful for her actions and has apologized repeatedly,” a source close to Leviss told E! earlier this month. “Her treatment is helping her learn the basis of her decisions and to grow from her mistakes with the hope of making better choices and becoming a better person.”
Amy Sussman/Getty Images
Lala Kent Regrets Verbally Attacking Raquel Leviss
One day after the shocking season 10 finale concluded, Lala Kent admitted she regretted going in so hard on Raquel over her affair with Sandoval.
“I felt dirty,” Kent told TMZ June 8. “After watching last night when she had finally had the breakdown—just as a human, because for me, it’s a reality TV show—I feel like we’re all, kind of, playing the same game. But when I watched that, I was like, ‘Oh, we’re maybe dealing with someone who maybe shouldn’t be on this type of platform.'”
Bravo
Where Tom Sandoval & Raquel Leviss Stand Today
Both Sandoval and Leviss confirmed they were still in love during the June 7 reunion episode. However, it’s unclear how they are labeling their relationship today.
The two have not been photographed together since filming the reunion in May.
Bravo
Ariana Madix & Katie Maloney to Open New Sandwich Shop
As Bravoholics saw on season 10, Madix and Katie Maloney are opening a new sandwich shop named Something About Her just a few doors down from SUR in West Hollywood.
In several Instagram Stories posted June 12, Maloney gave fans a tour inside the new eatery as she worked on finishing the final touches before it opens this summer. Maloney and Madix have also been selling Something About Her merchandise on their website.
Instagram/@musickillskate
Katie Maloney Debuts a New Look
On June 18, Maloney debuted a new short haircut inspired by “Torn” singer Natalie Imbruglia ahead of filming season 11.
Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Tom Sandoval’s Rumored New Girl
In May, it was rumored Sandoval had moved on after he was photographed with Texas-based influencer Karlee Hale. However, the reality star’s rep firmly denied anything romantic was going on.
“They are not dating,” his team told E! News in a statement. “She’s a friend. He was performing in Austin and stayed a few extra days to enjoy the city.”
Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for CELSIUS
Ariana Madix Details Her “Lovely” New Relationship
“I’m enjoying myself and I would say I’m very happy right now,” Ariana shared of Wai during a May 18 Today interview. “I met him at a wedding about 10 days after all of this. And in no way, shape or form did I go into that thinking anything.”
She continued, “I have just been taking things very, very slow and really enjoying myself. And it’s just really lovely to interact with someone who is just so nice and kind and lovely and caring.”
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
James Kennedy & Ally Lewber Are Still Together
James Kennedy and girlfriend Ally Lewber are going strong and the DJ continues to host his weekly “See You Next Tuesday” event at SUR.
Instagram/@scheana
Scheana Shay & Ariana Madix Throw a First Pitch
Scheana Shay and Madix were honored to throw the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game in June.
“Thank you @padres for making my 7 year old dreams come true last night!” Shay shared on Instagram. “It was always a dream of mine to throw out the first pitch at a professional game when I grew up. Well, we did it!”
Instagram/@lalakent
Lala Kent Enjoys Family Time
With some free time in between seasons, Kent enjoyed lots of quality time with her 2-year-old daughter Ocean. In mid-June, the mommy-daughter duo got away during a trip to Newport Beach, Calif.
“Made my heart so full watching O play where I used to play at her age,” the reality star shared on Instagram. “Newport holds a special place in my heart. My dad would have us set up on this beach at 7 am & we’d stay until the sun went down. Ocean is making him proud. A beach bum just like her Poppy.”
Instagram/@musickillskate
Stassi Schroeder Reunites With the Girls
Kent, Maloney and Kristina Kelly reunited with former VPR co-star and longtime BFF Stassi Schroeder for a girls night out in June.
Maloney, the only childless member of the friend group, joked on Instagram, “They talked about heavy flows and leaky tits while I sipped on Pinot Noir. #momfriends.”
Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images, Todd Williamson /Bravo via Getty Images
Brock Davies Cuts His Hair
The biggest transformation since season 10 ended? Shay’s husband Broke Davies cut his long hair! The Aussie star debuted a shorter ‘do before his birthday in June.
Scheana honored her other half on his special day. “Happy birthday to the husband who makes me happy!” the mom of Summer Moon, 2, wrote on Instagram June 15. “@brock__davies you are the most incredible father and partner to us. I love you so much it literally hurts. Thank you for being you honey. Cheers to many more!”
Todd Williamson/Bravo
Ariana Madix Cashes in on Tom Sandoval’s Nasty Dig
Madix got the last laugh after her ex made that shocking dig about wearing a shirt during sex. In June, she dropped her own merchandise with “‘f–k me in this shirt” written across gray tees.
Madix also made headlines for poking fun at Sandoval’s now-infamous white nail polish and making light of the comment he made about Madix never buying batteries in a June Duracell commercial.
Instagram/@jaredlips
Ariana Madix Turns 38
Madix, who turned 38 on June 24, celebrated her first post-Scandoval birthday with Wai, Maloney, Shay and more close friends. The fitness coach even cooked a six-course meal for his lady.
Instagram/@arianamadix
Fourth of July Fun
Madix and Wai celebrated Independence Day 2023 dancing the day away with friends at Santa Monica hot-spot Elephante.
The Daily Stardust / BACKGRID
Tom Sandoval Films Season 11
On July 6, Sandoval was spotted filming Vanderpump Rules for the first time since shooting on season 11 started in June.
The TomTom co-owner was all smiles as he dropped off a flower arrangement to Lisa Vanderpump at her now-closed West Hollywood restaurant Pump. Tom, dressed in jeans, a light blue sweater and sunglasses, was photographed arriving with the gift before Lisa left the former hot-spot as cameras rolled on the two.
Ralph Bavaro/Bravo
Ariana Madix Joins Dancing With the Stars
After weeks of rumors, Madix and Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough announced on July 7 that she is joining season 32.
“That’s right, say ‘goodbye’ to the drama and ‘hello’ to the dance floor,” Hough said in the video before the two shouted in unison, “Let’s dance!”
Noam Galai/Bravo
Possible Vanderpump Rules Spin-Off in the Works
In the wake of VPR‘s huge Scandoval success, Bravo exploring a Vanderpump Rules spin-off focused on alums Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright and Kristen Doute, an insider told E! News in June.
Todd Williamson/Bravo
Ariana Madix Joins Love Island USA
On July 11, Peacock announced Madix will make a special guest appearance on season five of the dating competition Love Island USA.
As VPR fans surely remember, Sandoval infamously criticized her for spending hours binging Love Island amid their breakup during season 10. Now, Madix is having the last laugh by entering the villa.
The Daily Stardust / BACKGRID
Tom Sandoval & Ariana Madix Film Season 11 Together
On July 11, the exes were both photographed filming season 11 of Vanderpump Rules at SUR, marking the first time the Bravo stars have been spotted at the same place since the explosive VPR season 10 reunion taping in March.
Todd Williamson/Bravo
Vanderpump Rules Scores 2023 Emmy Nominations
After SUR-ving up an unforgettable season of television, Vanderpump Rules was nominated for two 2023 Emmy Awards on July 12—one for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program and one for Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program.
“I actually did get goosebumps and cried,” Lisa Vanderpump exclusively told E! News. “I just thought to actually be at that level, it’s so unexpected if you go back 13 years—and I don’t take it for granted at all.”
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Raquel Leviss Checks Out of Treatment Facility
Leviss checked out of a mental health facility in Wickenburg, Arizona after two months, sources told TMZ and Entertainment Tonight July 14. It’s unclear if or when she’ll reunite with the cast to film season 11 in the wake of her affair scandal.
VPR Takes Tahoe
On July 18, some of the cast jetted off to Lake Tahoe for their first season 11 cast trip since Scandoval.
Bikini Babes
In attendance for the summer vacation were Scheana Shay and husband Brock Davies, James Kennedy and girlfriend Ally Lewber, Tom Schwartz and Lala Kent.
Clues Tom Sandoval Joined the Trip
Kent seemingly confirmed Sandoval’s presence on the trip in a video in her IG Stories. “Everyone’s in a couple—the Toms, Brock and Scheana, these little lovebirds,” the Give Them Lala host told fans. “It’s a good thing we got the MILF, and I’m OK with it.”
PETE DADDS / FOX
Tom Sandoval Joins Fox Special Forces
In between filming seasons 10 and 11, Sandoval joined season two of Fox’s intense competition show Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. He’ll compete against fellow celebrity contestants Tyler Cameron, Savannah Chrisley, Blac Chyna, JoJo Siwa, Nick Viall, Brian Austin Green, Dez Bryant, Robert Horry, Erin Jackson, Bode Miller, Jack Osbourne, Tara Reid and Kelly Rizzo when season two premieres Sept. 25.
Instagram/@logannoh
Girls Night Out
On Aug. 3, Lala Kent, Ally Lewber, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay and Ariana Madix supported James Kennedy at a DJ-ing gig in Hollywood.
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