“Vanderpump Rules” star Tom Sandoval has shared a lot in his decade on the reality TV show, which began its 11th season on Bravo in January. But in a recent interview with The New York Times magazine, Mr. Sandoval, 41, said things that surprised even people well aware of his penchant for shocking behavior.
Speaking about the public’s interest in an affair he had with a co-star while dating another co-star, a testy known as “Scandoval,” Mr. Sandoval said he was not a pop culture historian but that he “witnessed OJ Simpson and George Floyd and all these big things, which is really weird to compare it to, I think, but do you think it’s a little bit the same in a weird way?”
Mr Sandoval also said he felt he was getting more hate for his relationship than the actor “Danny Masterson, and he’s a convicted rapist”. He spoke in the presence of a member of his advertising team, which to some was as surprising as his comments.
The writer who interviewed Mr. Sandoval for The Times wrote that a Bravo representative contacted her after their conversation and before it was published to raise concerns about what he had said.
Alyx Sealy, a publicist for Mr. Sandoval, declined to comment for this article. Bravo declined to participate. Adam Ambrose, a journalist who represents reality stars and has represented Mr. Sandoval in the past, said in an emailed statement that working with people in reality can present unique challenges because of the nature of the genre.
“Unscripted stars are portraying and being their authentic selves, so sometimes the lines can be blurred between being in front of the camera and speaking to the media,” said Mr Ambrose, the founder of Brand Influential, which deals with public relations. company in Los Angeles, who emphasized that he was speaking generally and not about any particular client, past or present. “Sometimes they can be seen as non-coaches, making it more difficult to manage their media presence from a PR perspective.”
He continued: “Furthermore, the interest in their lives is or can be more intense than other ‘celebrities’, as fans feel they really know and identify with them. Thus, when a scandal occurs, it can provoke an unusual public response. Media attention can get out of hand to the point where the humanity of the situation can actually be lost and forgotten.”
Kelly Brady, a journalist and founder of Brandsway Creative in New York, a PR and branding firm, said an opportunity like Mr. Sandoval’s recent interview with The Times magazine was “a great opportunity” for a controversial client because it had the ability to “change public opinion”.
Ms. Brady, whose firm represents stars of “The Real Housewives of New York City,” “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” and other Bravo shows, said her preparations for this type of interview could include research the show and the reporter in order to prepare a client “as much as you can.” But even if every detail has been worked out, he said, there’s still the possibility that someone will go off script.
That’s why Lori Krebs, a reality star journalist who includes former and current “Vanderpump Rules” cast members, said she prefers her clients only feature articles from outlets that agree to involve her in the editing process , in order “to ensure a positive outcome”. (The New York Times does not agree to such arrangements.)
Ms. Krebs, the founder of Lori K Public Relations in Montreal and Los Angeles, described reality stars as “a very different type of celebrity.” Some people expect to be more relatable than traditional celebrities, he said, which can “make their image more difficult to manage.”
Lynn Hason, a journalist and founder of Lab Media Group, a PR and branding firm in New York that has worked with “Housewives of Salt Lake City” and “Housewives of New York City” stars, shared her approach to handling interviews . with reality clients were influenced by a series of “Hamilton.”
“Talk less, smile more,” said Ms. Hason.