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Credit: Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock, Faye’s Vision/Cover Images

Tom Schwartz shared where he stands with Tom Sandoval – after recently hinting they’re no longer as close. The Vanderpump Rules star also revealed insight into their “long break” and friendship strain, and addressed if the show caused the downfall of his marriage to Katie Maloney.

Though Schwartz and Sandoval were best friends for many years, Sandoval’s affair with Rachel Leviss triggered fan outrage that affected not only him but also his friends, especially Schwartz. Some have speculated that the fallout led to the closing of the Toms’ bar, Schwartz & Sandy’s.

On Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off The Vine” podcast, Tom was asked where he stands with Sandoval today.

“Things between me and Tom right now are peaceful,” he said. “Peaceful.”

He then shared insight into their tension.

“We just had this business that we put all of our life savings into, and it just kind of was going up in flames,” he explained, via @vanderpodrecaps on Instagram. “And we were on this sinking ship together and kept—It’s not fun. Tried everything to put the fires out, but … that put a lot of strain on our friendship.”

“We took a long break from each other,” Schwartz added. “And I don’t see him as much anymore, but the love is still there. He’s my brother. We’re stuck with each other … We’ve been friends for 15 years. And it’s like, yeah, we took a much-needed long break.” Despite their “healthy pause,” Schwartz said he “still love[s] Tom.”

Tom also shared that he had dreams of being an actor on a soap opera, after letting go of his childhood dream of quarterbacking for Florida State.

Later on, Schwartz was asked if Pump Rules hurt his marriage.

“I think in the past, I might be guilty of scapegoating the show a little bit. At least in private … Little confessionals with my friends,” he said. “But I can’t blame the show. That’s on me … But [the show was] like going to therapy in front of tons of people. It forces you to get in there and discuss things that you’d usually just sweep under the rug.”

“And it might feel awful in the moment, but like I think long term, it’s ultimately cathartic and good and healthy,” he said. “No, I cannot blame the show for the downfall of my marriage at all.”

Last year, the entire cast of Vanderpump Rules was replaced with new stars. Tom has appeared as a ‘guest,’ however, in the new season of its spinoff, The Valley.