The 'Vanderpump Rules' star made the comparisons during a recent sit-down with the 'New York Times.'
Tom Sandoval is being slammed after he compared his cheating scandal to O.J. Simpson and George Floyd during a recent interview in which he opened up about "Scandoval."
On Monday, the New York Times published a story in which the Vanderpump Rules celebrity, 40, shared what it was like for him to live through the media firestorm after news of his affair with Rachel Leviss became public in 2023. Sandoval was in a long-term relationship with Ariana Madix at the time and the whole ordeal played out as their Bravo show was airing its 10th season.
"I'm not a pop-culture historian really," he tells the outlet, "but I witnessed the O.J. Simpson thing and George Floyd and all these big things, which is really weird to compare this to that, I think, but do you think in a weird way it’s a little bit the same?"
Simpson, a former football player and broadcaster, was at the center of a highly publicized murder trial after he was suspected of killing ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. He was ultimately acquitted of all criminal charges but later held liable for both deaths in a 1997 civil suit.
Floyd was a Black man whose murder by a white Minneapolis police officer in May 2020 sparked nationwide protests over police brutality and led to the conviction of Derek Chauvin, the officer who knelt on his neck for nearly 10 minutes.
The article's writer and interviewer, Irina Aleksander, noted that a member of Sandoval's public relations team -- identified in the piece only as "Rylie" and noted as having a background in crisis P.R. -- was "typing furiously" after he made the controversial remarks. Aleksander also added that she understood Sandoval to be referencing "the oddity of becoming the symbolic center of a nationwide discussion."
After the former bartender and reality television star told the interviewer he cheated on Madix, 38, "because I was in an unhappy place in my life" and walked away, Rylie added context to his remarks.
"Sometimes he says too much," Rylie said, "and the following day forgets what he says."
Earlier in the interview, Sandoval also compared the backlash he received in connection to the affair to the case of That '70s Show alum Danny Masterson, who was convicted of rape in 2023 and sentenced to 30 years to life.
"I feel like I got more hate than Danny Masterson," the part owner of TomTom said, "and he’s a convicted rapist."
Within hours of the interview going live, Sandoval once again found himself at the center of a media firestorm for his most recent comments and comparisons.
One notable critic of the quotes was The Real Housewives of Miami star Guerdy Abraira, a Black woman and designer who has previously been outspoken on social justice issues.
"The disrespect... and on black history month... WOW just plz," she wrote in an Instagram story addressing the interview.
"@tomsandoval1 PLEASE reflect on this repulsive statement you made (regarding GEORGE FLOYD r.i.p.) especially on black history month and take it back!! NOT OK! An immediate apology is in order Sir!," she added.
In a statement sent to ET Monday afternoon, Sandoval apologized for the comparison and attempted to clarify his comments.
"My intentions behind the comments I made in New York Times Magazine were to explain the level of national media attention my affair received. The comparison was inappropriate and ignorant. I'm incredibly sorry and embarrassed," he said.
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