Tom Schwartz is finally stepping out of the sidecar. For years, the Vanderpump Rules veteran was half of a brand, a permanent fixture in the "Tom and Tom" duo that defined West Hollywood nightlife. But things look a lot different in 2026. The hair is different. The business portfolio is leaner. Even the relationship status—usually a source of "bubba"-themed chaos—has shifted into something that feels, well, adult.
If you haven't been keeping up with the Bravo universe lately, the landscape has shifted under everyone’s feet. Vanderpump Rules underwent a massive reboot for Season 12, swapping the OG cast for a fresh batch of SUR-vers. This left the original stars like Schwartz in a strange kind of reality TV limbo. He’s no longer just a "SUR-ver." He’s a 43-year-old man trying to figure out what happens when the cameras move on to younger, hungrier versions of his former self.
The Schwartz & Sandy’s Closure: A Bitter Pill
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Schwartz & Sandy’s—the neon-soaked lounge that cost Schwartz his peace of mind and, arguably, his marriage—is officially a thing of the past. It closed its doors at the end of 2024.
Honestly, the bar never quite recovered from the "Scandoval" fallout. While Tom Sandoval was the one who blew up his life on camera, Schwartz was the one who felt the "residual hate," as he often puts it. He poured his life savings and his "life force" into that place. Watching it fold was a public failure that most people would have hidden from. Schwartz, in his typical self-deprecating fashion, just sort of took it on the chin.
- The Financial Toll: It wasn't just about the PR. The margins in the post-pandemic LA restaurant scene were razor-thin.
- The Emotional Weight: Schwartz admitted that owning the bar was "hemorrhaging his life force."
- The Partnership: While TomTom remains (though with heavy renovations and rumors of a Lisa Vanderpump rebrand), the "Two Toms" era of business ownership is effectively over.
Why Tom Schwartz Without Sandoval Actually Works
For a decade, Schwartz was viewed as Sandoval's sidekick. He was the "aw-shucks" guy who would cover for his friend's increasingly erratic behavior. But 2025 and 2026 have shown us a different version of him. On the most recent season of The Valley, Schwartz has been filming without his longtime partner-in-crime.
It turns out, he’s actually pretty good on his own. He recently told People at BravoCon that he’s enjoyed the break from being a sidekick. It’s a weirdly mature realization for a guy who once famously couldn't finish a shift at PUMP because he got "panicky."
He’s leaner. He’s more focused. He’s even building a house in Florida. This isn't some mega-mansion for an influencer; it's a 1,500-square-foot "Key West-style shanty" for his family. It feels grounded. It feels like someone who realized that the "Peter Pan" act has an expiration date.
The "Love of My Life" Slip: Kiana Carroll
Then there’s the love life. We all watched the slow-motion car crash that was his divorce from Katie Maloney, followed by the brief, messy flings with Jo Wenberg and Sophia Skoro. But things with model Kiana Carroll feel different.
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At BravoCon 2025, Schwartz had a classic "oops" moment on stage. He called Kiana the "love of his life." He immediately panicked, worried he’d scared her off by being too intense. But honestly? It was the most sincere he’s looked in years. He’s 43. He’s dating someone who seems to have "charisma and moxy," according to his own Instagram.
The age gap conversation still follows him—Kiana is younger—but the vibe is less "midlife crisis" and more "stable partnership." They’ve been spotted together in NYC and LA, and he even had her on his Detox Retox podcast. It’s a hard launch that actually stuck.
What’s Next for the King of "Aw-Shucks"?
So, where does he go from here? With Vanderpump Rules moving on to a new cast, Schwartz has successfully migrated to The Valley. He’s part of a group that includes Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright, and Kristen Doute—people who are dealing with "adult" problems like mortgages and long-term relationship fallout.
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He’s still a part-owner of TomTom, but his focus has shifted toward personal projects and his podcast. He’s no longer the guy hiding behind a bar counter to avoid a difficult conversation.
What you can do to keep up:
If you’re looking to see this "New Schwartz" in action, your best bet is following his transition into The Valley Season 2 and 3. The show has become the de facto home for VPR fans who want to see what happens after the SUR aprons come off. You can also catch his more candid, unfiltered thoughts on his podcast, which has become a bit of a therapy session for his post-Scandoval life.
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The reality is that Tom Schwartz survived the most toxic era of reality TV. He lost a bar, a marriage, and his "sidekick" status, but he somehow ended up more likeable on the other side. He’s the proof that even in the messy world of Bravo, there’s a way to grow up without losing your soul—or your signature "bubba" charm.