Tom Sandoval has officially addressed the recent changes to the Vanderpump Rules cast.
In a heartfelt and reflective Instagram post, Sandoval, 42, responded to the Tuesday, November 26, announcement confirming that the popular Bravo reality series would return for its 12th season with an entirely new cast.
Sharing his thoughts alongside a carousel of nostalgic photos from his 11 seasons on the show, Sandoval described feeling “overwhelmed with so many emotions.” The images included group shots of the cast, candid behind-the-scenes moments, and pictures of Sandoval’s iconic costumes throughout the series.
Reflecting on the origins of the show, Sandoval wrote, “The unbelievable series of events that brought this group together still blows my mind to this day.” He recounted how many of the original cast members first connected while working at SUR.
“From a random meeting with Jax while modeling in Miami to responding to a Craigslist ad for another Tom looking for a roommate,” he continued. “Who would’ve thought that a stop along the way while chasing our dreams would turn into the cultural phenomenon that is Vanderpump Rules?”
Acknowledging how life-changing the show has been, Sandoval added, “We were unaware as to the effect this show would have on our lives.” He credited the series’ success to its foundation of “pure, honest, raw emotions.”
The musician and restaurateur, who became the center of the show’s most notorious controversy—dubbed “Scandoval”—during Season 10, described the last 11 seasons as an unforgettable “roller coaster ride.”
The scandal unfolded when it was revealed that Sandoval had been having an affair with fellow cast member Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, leading to his highly publicized split from long-time girlfriend Ariana Madix.
In his post, Sandoval expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed to the series, with a special note to the fans. “Most importantly, to each and every fan, THANK YOU ALL for believing in us and being part of this 12-year journey,” he wrote. “It’s hard to put into words what I’m feeling right now. As in life, so much has happened over the years.”
While Sandoval did not directly address the drama of the recent seasons, he subtly referenced the challenges he has faced. “Some of my past decisions led to incredibly challenging times, from which I’ve learned valuable lessons and experienced personal growth,” he shared.
“Despite the difficulties, I’m filled with gratitude for the learning experience and forever grateful for all of the memories.”
As of now, no new cast members have been officially announced. However, a press release from Bravo teased that Season 12 will feature “a new group of close-knit SURvers who are as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessors.”
