Tom Sandoval And Ariana Madix React To Split Rumors
Still going strong. With the demise of so many Vanderpump Rules couples, Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval showed a united front in the face of recent breakup rumors. The long-time loves defended their romance as the fallout of their co-stars breakups fill online blogs.
The Fancy AF Cocktails coauthor denied that social media pressure has any effect on her relationship with Tom. “You know what’s funny, though? I was just saying to someone else, I was like, ‘I also love to gossip about, like, people I watch on TV,’”she said. “I look at all those blind items [online] and things like that. I’m into it, so I totally get it.”
“If you were to follow all of those things — I mean, we’ve been together for almost nine years — you would think we’ve broken up like times 50 times,” Ariana joked during a panel at BravoCon 2022.
But Tom confirmed, “We’re great. We’re doing really good.”
So what triggered this latest bout of rumors? Perhaps just another couple in the Vanderpump Rules lineup. But the Schwartz & Sandy’s co-owner recalled a prior time when a moving truck filmed outside his house resulted in a tremendous amount of tabloid fodder.
Tom explained that the moving trucks were props for a commercial. “We shot this thing for Alka-Seltzer and people were like, ‘Oh, yep, they’re done. [There’s] moving trucks out front,’” he said.
Well, for the cynics among us, there are plenty of newly single Vanderpump Rules stars that promise to fill Season 10 with fresh drama and romances.
“Obviously, with all these people being single, like, those dynamics have shifted a lot,” Ariana told the publication of the new dynamic on the show. “I mean, you’re definitely gonna see some of James [Kennedy’s] new girlfriend. So that’s definitely [a] new dynamic and you’ll see her interacting with us. It’s a lot. It feels very new and different.”
Lala is in a new relationship, and gave fans a sneak peek of the fellow recently. Surely the partner that is giving Lala, “the best sex of my life” will participate in the new season.
TELL US- WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ARIANA AND TOM’S RELATIONSHIP? DID YOU BELIEVE THE BREAKUP RUMORS? WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR NEW ROMANCES AND DRAMA ON SEASON 10?
First of all, great job Survivor! You managed to hoodwink all of us last week into thinking that Dwight left the game with Jeanine‘s hidden Immunity Idol in his pocket! Well not only was it not in his pocket (it was in his crotch…”Don’t worry,” he told Jeanine. “I’ll wash it.”), the Idol wasn’t even on his person! Unbeknownst to the viewers but as revealed on Wednesday’s new episode, Dwight had actually handed it off to Jesse before heading to Tribal Council. So not only is the Idol still in the game and in Jesse’s possession, but Jeanine never knew that!
There was a lot of talk this week about “trust” and also the “social contract,” as Jeff Probst calls it, that the players create for themselves within the game. I couldn’t help but see the parallels with what they were discussing, as applied to the “social contract” that Jeff and CBS has established with its die-hard, faithful Survivor audience. We expect things to go certain way when we watch the show, we allow certain things and sometimes (like when Jeff Probst decided to address the camera straight-on during Season 41), we reject variances. But the show has created the social contract stating that they have the freedom to try new things, twist things up, and even though we may not like something, we’ll keep watching as we keep our faith in the game on the whole.
But like Sami said, the rules are always changing, always being amended, even if subtly. The idea that Jeanine‘s Idol would end up with Jesse but that the truth wasn’t revealed to the audience until this week is a classic example of nudgingly “amending” Survivor’s social contract with its audience. I for one, loved it! I also was a fan earlier in the season when they revealed – conveniently – that an Idol had been found earlier in the game, but was shown to us as a flashback during Tribal. If Survivor pushes things too far and we begin to feel manipulated, then I think it’s fair to say that Probst has broken his social contract with the audience. But I haven’t felt this yet, not this season anyways. Did any of you feel at all like keeping Jeanine’s Idol whereabouts was out-of-bounds? Anyone feeling betrayed?
Speaking of feeling betrayed, this week’s episode began with Owen feeling quite lonely, having been left out of two straight votes. It’s hard not to feel for the guy, and we were given some backstory about how he was adopted and how he always feels on the outs, to cement our feelings about him. It worked. But Owen went on to win individual Immunity during the episode, against all odds and even as a surprise to himself. Owen is a great player to root for, but like he even said, right now his Survivor resume is less than impressive.
The good news is there is still a lot of game left to be played…there is still time to build that resume. I love that on Survivor though, this is all perspective. If you’re on the bottom like Owen? You’re planning your next, and first, big move. If you’re Sami, a guy who has mostly flew under the radar but who is relatively safe so far? He also knows that he’s going to have to “go big” at some point. But if you’re at the top of the food chain, like Cody has been thus far, you see things much differently. “Let’s simplify things,” was Cody’s strategy this week. Not every vote has to be a huge move, sometimes you need to go with the obvious target. Is Cody right or wrong in this way of thinking?
With the majority seven in place (and they stayed in place after voting out Jeanine), that leaves Gabler, Owen and Noelle on the outs, with Jeanine becoming “The Mayor of Ponderosa” (i.e.: The first member of the jury). But if you know Survivor at all, you probably know that even when there is an “easy” vote like this week’s, it is even more rare for a second “easy” vote to come next week. So in a weird, twisted Survivor way, the three current bottom-feeders may actually be more safe than we realize. As we saw, the majority seven are just chomping at the bit to make moves, and to ensure that they are not on the bottom of that seven alliance. That is, all except Ryan who just seems content catching fish and being the camp Survivor…the oldest-school strategy in existence in the game one one that hasn’t worked in eons.
I’m loving it, because we have such great players remaining, all of whom have what it takes to become legends. Karla, Jesse, Sami, Codi…all of these seem to by laying in wait and looking to pounce. Cassidy seems a bit rockier, and I’d say other than Ryan (who is clearly the seventh-man in the seven person alliance), it appears that James is gaining a lot of attention. As long as he possesses his “Knowledge is Power” advantage, the more dangerous a target he becomes, especially for those that have Idols or advantages of their own that they don’t want to be stolen. James isn’t special in this way: ALL remaining players that have Idols or advantages are becoming bigger threats the fewer players that remain in the game…at some point, the current in-game “social contract” will be lit on fire, as someone will eventually strike first. It’s inevitable. There are always bigger fish to fry…you just want to make sure that you’re not the one who is cooking too hot.
Episode Take-Away: It was an uphill battle for Jeanine, so I am sorry that she went out the way she did. She just couldn’t get a break in this game, which happens to all but one player each and every season. But for an episode that seemed to end with the “simple” or “obvious” choice, I thought it was packed full of great strategy. This season is bubbling just under the surface, and I don’t think we’re very far off from watching the volcano erupt.
Erik Reichenbach DabuDoodles Art. We’re honored here to be associated with Survivor legend Erik Reichenbach, who just so happens to be an amazing artist. As always, we’re thrilled that he shares his talents every week on my column and with my audience with a new piece of Survivor artwork each week. His latest piece will appear here usually in the days after the show’s airing, so if it does not appear here now, check back usually by the weekend following an episode and give this page a refresh. All of Erik’s work can be found and purchased on his site, DabuDoodles.com, and I urge you to support this fantastically skilled former Survivor player!
Out this week: Jeanine
Won Immunity: Owen (1)
Vote Result: No advantages or Idols were played. 9 – Jeanine (Jesse, Cody, Karla, Sami, James, Ryan, Gabler, Owen, Noelle), 2 – Ryan (Jeanine, Cassidy).
Current Advantage List:
Jesse – 2 Immunity Idols (one was Cody’s but he wasn’t shown giving it back yet?)
Karla – 1 Immunity Idol
Noelle – 1 Steal-A-Vote
James – Knowledge is Power advantage
Next Week’s Episode:Owen feels betrayed by James as their relationship continues to deteriorate. Will Noelle be using her Steal-A-Vote advantage? And the Immunity Challenge reveals that not one, but two, players will earn Immunity.
Quick Note! I appreciate that you are reading this recap! Those that have followed me also know that I am also a TV personality in the Detroit area, as well as a RottenTomatoes-approved film critic. I encourage you to check out my past movie reviews and my movie show (episodes are also available online at the website, www.MovieShowPlus.com.) As always, the easiest way to get all of my Survivor coverage and movie reviews is to follow me on Twitter – @tomsantilli – or on Facebook.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS WEEK’S EPISODE? ARE YOU OK WITH THE SHOW HOLDING BACK INFO FOR MAX DRAMATIC EFFECT? AND WHO ARE YOU ROOTING FOR THUS FAR?
[Photo Credit: CBS/Monty Brinton/Robert Voets/Timothy Kuratek/Jeffrey Neira/Michele Crowe/David M. Russell]
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Last night’s episode of Married At First Sight was completely unnecessary. If I am being honest, most of the tea was spilled on the first part of the reunion. I felt like part 2 was rehashing things that were already discussed. But there were a few gems that came out of the episode.
The San Diego cast struggles to deal with the aftermath of a confrontation. Issues from the past continue to put pressure on their relationships as they move forward. The experts intervene with blunt words of wisdom to help with unhealed wounds. Let’s get straight to the recap.
Stacia and Nate
Nate continues to antagonize Justin throughout the reunion. Honestly, if he worried as much about his own feelings as he does Justin’s, maybe he would be in a better place in his own marriage. His wife has already admitted he is still guarded with his emotions. Stacia and Alexis had to continuously run interference between these two, while the other looked shocked.
Alexis and Justin
Justin doubts Alexis truly went on the show for the right reasons. Both of their siblings join them to give their input on the marriage, from their perspective. They both acknowledge their siblings just may not have been right for each other. Although they both have moved on, neither is dating seriously. The host and the experts encourage them to give each other another chance. Justin shuts the suggestion down, but I’m not convinced he wouldn’t change his tune, if Alexis expressed interest.
Later with the ladies, Alexis shares that she felt her and Justin‘s relationship dynamic was like a mother and child. Sigh! Well, I have to admit I can see why she could feel that way. Her level of attraction to him diminished over time due to his sensitive nature. She wanted to have her own emotions, without regulating his in the process. Surprisingly, most of the men support him embracing his emotions, with the exception of Nate who thought it was “weird”. To each, their own, but I’m sure he will eventually find a woman who appreciates that.
Lindy and Miguel
Lindy speaks a little more about that explosive weekend during the couple’s retreat. Previously, she accused Miguel of trying to control her to some of the other participants. But during the reunion she makes it clear her husband isn’t controlling. She blames her own insecurities as the root of the issue. I’m not sure that is entirely true, since it seems like both of them were having serious issues on multiple occasions. But I guess she made the choice to stand by her man. Hopefully things are less stressful now that they no longer have cameras following them.
Krysten and Mitch
The ladies rally around Krysten supporting her and Mitch’s decision to divorce. Apparently, all of the women felt very strongly about the way he treated her throughout the experiment. The only reason we didn’t see more ire from them is because they were trying to respect Krysten’s choices. In unseen footage, we see Stacia repeatedly refer to Mitch as Bitch instead of his name. Insert side eye here. I’m not sure I would have let that slide if I were in his position.
While speaking with the experts, Mitch admits he didn’t fully understand what he was getting himself into. Ummm… is the title Married at First Sight not self-explanatory? He credits his lashing out to always feeling like an outcast throughout his life. Now that he has the chance to reflect, he realizes he brought those insecurities into his marriage. Sigh! Whatever the issue, I am just glad these two agreed to a divorce.
TELL US – WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT DURING PART 2 OF THE REUNION?
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