Tom Sandoval’s Choices Created a Rift Between Him and His Brother Brian After the 'Scandoval'

In one of Bravo's most scandalous moments, Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval found himself stuck in a firestorm after cheating on his longtime girlfriend, Ariana Madix, with her close friend Rachel Leviss. The fallout from this affair reached far and wide, shattering many of Tom's closest relationships, including the one with his own brother, Brian Sandoval.

While Tom has been a fixture on Vanderpump Rules, his brother Brian has maintained a low profile. However, the scandal thrust Brian into the spotlight, revealing the complexities of familial bonds when faced with such a publicized betrayal. Tom's regrets about involving his family in the drama were evident when he shared on Special Forces, saying, "One of the big reasons why I'm here is that I let down my family and other people whose last name is Sandoval. I tarnished the name, and I want to bring some honor back to that name," reported Nicki Swift.

Brian, seemingly close to Madix due to her long relationship with Tom, chose a different path after the scandal emerged. On an episode of Tom's podcast, Everyone Loves Tom, he disclosed that Brian requested the removal of any trace of him from Tom's social media. Even family ties were strained as Tom confirmed that his own brother wanted nothing to do with him in the aftermath of the affair. A poignant post from 2021 on Tom's Facebook commemorating National Brother's Day suggests a once-strong relationship, as per Page Six sources. However, the fallout from the affair led to Brian distancing himself from Tom, marking a significant shift in their bond.

The impact of Tom's affair extended beyond just his immediate family. Despite the Sandoval family's familiarity with Madix, they did not condone Tom's actions. Madix herself noted on the Call Her Daddy podcast that she wasn't sure how much the Sandoval family knew about the affair, but she sensed they were aware to some extent. Leviss later confirmed meeting Tom's family, particularly his mom, Terri Green, indicating that they were not oblivious to the scandal.

Tom's attempt to introduce Leviss to his hometown was met with disapproval from his family, who reportedly had "no interest" in meeting her, as published in TMZ. This disapproval extended beyond family to close friends, who found it "inappropriate" for Tom to showcase his secret love interest around town. 

Despite the disapproval from Tom's family, the two persisted in their relationship until they eventually broke up shortly after the reunion was aired. In the aftermath, Tom's brother Brian sought to distance himself further, requesting the removal of any online presence linking him to Tom. As the reality star strives to restore honor to the Sandoval name, the fallout from his affair continues to unfold, leaving a trail of broken relationships in its wake.