Tom Sandoval is facing criticism after comparing his cheating scandal to O.J. Simpson murder trial and the death of George Floyd. The comparisons were made during a recent interview where he discussed the “Scandoval” affair.
In a New York Times article published on Monday, the 40-year-old Vanderpump Rules celebrity reflected on the media frenzy surrounding revelations of his affair with Rachel Leviss in 2023. The affair occurred while he was in a long-term relationship with Ariana Madix. It unfolded during the airing of their Bravo show’s 10th season.
Sandoval likened his experience to historical events, stating, “I’m not a pop-culture historian really, 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?”
It's one of the more insane things to happen today… Tom Sandoval likened himself to both a murderer and a murder victim and was dead serious about that comparison. #PumpRules pic.twitter.com/UVG2SucX1Q
— The Harlem Shimmy (@Say_Yes_2theJes) February 21, 2024
Tom Sandoval Slammed For George Floyd, O.J. Simpson Comparison
O.J. Simpson, a former football player, faced a highly publicized murder trial in the 1990s for the deaths of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Although acquitted of criminal charges, he was later found liable in a civil suit. On the other hand, George Floyd’s death in 2020 triggered nationwide protests against police brutality, leading to the conviction of the officer responsible.
Tom Sandoval compared Scandoval to George Floyd…#pumprules pic.twitter.com/av0AgAmlNr
— Vanderpump Rules 🏳️🌈 (@sur_rules) February 20, 2024
In another eyebrow-raising comparison, Sandoval equated the backlash he received to that of Danny Masterson, a former That ’70s Show star who was convicted of rape in 2023 and sentenced to 30 years to life. Sandoval claimed, “I feel like I got more hate than Danny Masterson, and he’s a convicted rapist.”
Following the interview’s publication, Sandoval faced renewed media scrutiny and backlash for his controversial comments and comparisons.