Tom Sandoval Struggles to Shake Cheating Scandal After Two Years

Tom Sandoval, 42, is reportedly struggling to move past the fallout from his 2023 cheating scandal, which continues to haunt him nearly two years later. The reality TV star, best known for his role on Bravo‘s ‘Vanderpump Rules,’ has been labeled a ‘villain’ after his affair with co-star Raquel Leviss was exposed, leading to a public breakup with his longtime girlfriend, Ariana Madix.

According to a source close to Sandoval, he is ‘sick and tired’ of being associated with the scandal and feels he has been unfairly punished. ‘He took accountability when everything happened and admitted his part in things, but it’s been almost two years now, and he feels like he’s been punished enough,’ the insider told In Touch. ‘He wants to move on, but no matter what he does, he’s still associated with this scandal.’

The controversy erupted in March 2023 when Madix discovered inappropriate text messages between Sandoval and Leviss on his phone. The scandal, which played out on the show’s 10th season, led to a surge in ratings and widespread media attention. Sandoval publicly apologized to Madix in a lengthy Instagram post, acknowledging his mistakes and expressing regret for the pain he caused.

Despite his attempts to rebuild his image, Sandoval’s reputation remains tarnished. His current girlfriend, Victoria Lee Robinson, 32, recently fueled rumors of infidelity in December 2024, though she later retracted her claims and apologized for jumping to conclusions. ‘I had a true misjudgment in a situation. Tom did not do anything,’ Robinson wrote in a follow-up Instagram post.

Friends of Sandoval have rallied around him, urging him to give it time. ‘They’re telling him that he just needs to give it more time, that eventually people will forget, but Tom’s feeling very beat up over this,’ the source added. ‘He worries that he’ll never be allowed to move on.’

Meanwhile, Madix has moved on with a new relationship and continues to thrive professionally. The scandal, however, remains a defining moment in Sandoval’s career, leaving him grappling with its lasting impact.