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Tom Sandoval has issued an apology following backlash for drawing parallels between the media's handling of his reality TV cheating scandal and the high-profile cases of George Floyd's murder and the O.J. Simpson trial.
In an interview with The New York Times Magazine, the "Vanderpump Rules" star was asked about the extensive coverage of his 2023 affair with co-star Raquel Leviss while he was in a relationship with Ariana Madix. Sandoval's response included a comparison to the attention garnered by the O.J. Simpson trial and George Floyd's tragic death, though he acknowledged the disparity in magnitude.
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Following the publication of the article, Sandoval took to his Instagram story to issue a statement, expressing regret for his remarks.
"I want to apologize for my comments in the New York Times Magazine. My intention was to highlight the significant media attention my affair received, but the comparison I made was inappropriate and ignorant. I am deeply sorry and embarrassed."
Sandoval faced criticism from his fellow reality TV personalities, with "Vanderpump Rules" co-star Katie Maloney among those condemning his comparison of his personal situation to the coverage of two highly publicized murders in the United States.
In 1995, O.J. Simpson, a former actor, broadcaster, and NFL star, was acquitted in a highly publicized trial for the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman. Simpson was later found liable for the deaths in a civil suit from the victims’ families.
George Floyd Jr., a Black man, was murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an arrest in May 2020. His death, captured on video, sparked global outrage and protests.
YEPPOST.com reached out to a representative for Sandoval for comment.
Addressing her ex-husband and Sandoval's business partner, Tom Schwartz, Mahoney questioned, "Hey Tom Schwartz you wanna come explain what he was really trying to say?" She followed up with, "The f---?"
"Real Housewives of Miami" star Guerdy Abraira, who is Black, responded to Mahoney's post, urging reflection on the "repulsive statement" made regarding George Floyd, especially during Black History Month, and requested an immediate apology.
Others expressed shock and condemnation towards Sandoval's remarks.
Some viewers demanded Sandoval's removal from the Bravo series.
"The Times" feature highlighted Sandoval's tendency to sometimes speak impulsively, later forgetting his comments.
Days later, a Bravo publicist contacted the "Times" reporter to inquire about Sandoval's remarks regarding Simpson and Floyd.
Sandoval's nine-year relationship with Madix ended due to his affair with Leviss, generating ongoing headlines as "Vanderpump Rules" continues into its eleventh season.
Last month, Madix filed a lawsuit to compel Sandoval to sell their jointly owned Los Angeles home, seeking an equitable allocation of the proceeds.