Tuesday, “Vanderpump Rules” actor Tom Sandoval issued an apology for drawing parallels between his affair with former co-star Rachel “Raquel” Leviss and the murder of George Floyd and the criminal trial of O.J. Simpson for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson.
“The remarks I published in New York Times Magazine were intended to provide an explanation for the extent to which my affair garnered national media attention. “The comparison was ignorant and inappropriate,” Sandoval wrote on Tuesday on Instagram. “I am profoundly sorry and humiliated.”
Following a deluge of criticism from fellow Bravolebrities and admirers, the reality star issued an apology for comments he made during a Tuesday interview with New York Times Magazine. In the article titled “How Tom Sandoval Became the Most Hated Man in America,” Sandoval discussed his personal life and the tremendous backlash he faced following his infidelity with “Vanderpump Rules” co-star and longstanding girlfriend Ariana Madix. He explained how he believed the situation “became so enormous” in the media.
“Really, I’m not a pop culture historian,” stated Sandoval. “However, I was present during the O.J. Simpson incident, George Floyd’s trial, and all of these other major events, which I find it extremely peculiar to compare to this, but do you agree that it is, in a strange way, similar?”
Irina Aleksander, the author and interviewer, additionally provided her own viewpoint regarding his statements.
Related: 5 Soap Opera Couples Are Together In Real Life: Unveiling The Absolute Real-Life Romances
“I believe I understood his meaning,” Aleksander composed. “He intended to convey the peculiarity of becoming the emblematic subject of a nationwide discourse and a major news article; however, he conveyed a more candid sentiment, namely the extent to which the experience had caused him to lose perspective.”
Alexander further stated that Alex Baskin, the executive producer of “Vanderpump Rules” and Bravo, contacted her following the interview out of concern for what Sandoval had said.
“Exactly what did he say regarding O.J. Simpson and George Floyd?” “Perhaps Sandoval wasn’t prepared for this,” Aleksander wrote, citing Bravo executives as saying.
Tom Sandoval Criticized by His Fellow Mates
Sandoval’s remarks quickly gained the attention of his fellow Bravolebrities as they circulated through a social media news cycle. A number of the network’s African American reality personalities have previously expressed their opinions.
Related: Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” Debuted Top Spot of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart!
“The Real Housewives of Miami” star Guerdy Abraira criticized Sandoval on social media.
“Although I ought to, I rarely vent on here about frivolous matters or individuals… “However, this Sandoval nonsense is intolerable today and must be addressed,” Abraira stated in an Instagram video. “George Floyd, of all individuals, is it.” Do you consider it to be analogous to your Sandoval nonsense? I apologize, this is not acceptable; I am speaking up because I normally keep to myself, but this is not acceptable… Black History Month has arrived; therefore, I kindly request that you observe this. Prevent him from entering your mouth.”
Jordan Emanuel, protagonist of “Summer House: Martha’s Vineyard,” also expressed his opinion regarding Sandoval’s behavior, writing on social media, “I am speechless when compared to a Black man being murdered in plain sight during Black History Month.”
However, not only celebrities have admiration for Sandoval. A compilation of negative online responses is provided below.