Tom Sandoval: Bringing Honor Back to Family Name

"Vanderpump Rules" star Tom Sandoval competes on "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" to redeem himself after affair scandal.

Tom Sandoval, known for his appearances on the reality TV show "Vanderpump Rules," is currently participating in the second season of "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test." During the show, Sandoval opens up about a significant event in his life that led him to join the competition.

Sandoval expresses remorse for letting down his family and tarnishing the Sandoval name. He hopes to restore honor to his last name through his participation in "Special Forces."

As an original cast member of "Vanderpump Rules" since its debut in 2013, Sandoval has been a consistent presence on the show. IMDb also credits him with some acting roles.

"Special Forces" features celebrities from various backgrounds who face challenges designed by trained staff sergeants. These challenges test the participants physically and mentally, leading some to drop out due to injuries or the overwhelming pressure.

In the season 2 trailer of "Special Forces," Sandoval is shown with blood on his nose and upper lip, indicating an injury during one of the upcoming challenges. In the same trailer, Sandoval expresses his desire to face punishment after experiencing a difficult year.

Sandoval had been in a long-term relationship with his "Vanderpump Rules" co-star, Ariana Madix, when he began a romantic involvement with another co-star, Raquel Leviss. Madix discovered the affair in March 2023 when she stumbled upon an inappropriate photo of Leviss on Sandoval's phone.

Although the filming for the season of "Vanderpump Rules" had concluded, Bravo cameras resumed filming to capture the aftermath of the affair, which aired during season 10.

While participating in "Special Forces," Sandoval had to miss a few weeks of filming for season 11 of "Vanderpump Rules." However, he eventually rejoined the cast, including his now ex-girlfriend, Madix. Leviss will not be returning to the show.

In a recent episode of his podcast, "Everybody Loves Tom," Sandoval revealed that the fallout from his affair with Leviss had a severe impact on his mental health. He even contemplated suicide, drawing parallels to the tragic suicide of Chester Bennington in 2017.

Sandoval explains that when someone enters that dark headspace, it becomes a chain reaction, causing their world to crumble and trapping them in their own emotions. The ability to see beyond their feelings diminishes, along with their sense of the future and the capacity to break free from the despair. Sandoval admits that he experienced moments where he felt dangerously close to the edge.

Overall, Sandoval's participation in "Special Forces: World's Toughest Test" serves as a means of redemption and personal growth, allowing him to confront his past mistakes and work towards a brighter future.