Tom Schwartz Claps Back at "Unrecognizable" Claims: Here's What Really Happened

Tom Schwartz from Vanderpump Rules just showed the tabloid world how to handle unflattering coverage with a dose of humor. After an article suggested he looked“unrecognizable”in paparazzi photos taken while he was walking his dogs in Los Angeles on July 23, Schwartz posted the story to his Instagram with a sarcastic message telling the outlet to“sleep with one eye open.”His girlfriend Kiana Carroll backed him up, pointing out that the photos were simply taken from a bad angle. It’s a refreshing reminder that celebrities are human too, and sometimes a little levity beats a serious defensive response.

The article, however, went beyond appearance and dug into Schwartz’s business struggles. It highlighted the closure of his bar Schwartz&Sandy’s in 2024, just two years after opening, and contrasted that with the continued success of his ex-wife Katie Maloney’s restaurant Something About Her. Schwartz hasn’t shied away from explaining why the bar didn’t work out. He’s attributed the closure to the challenging post-COVID economy for restaurants and bars, combined with the serious reputational damage caused by Tom Sandoval’s affair scandal with Raquel Leviss. These circumstances created a perfect storm that made it nearly impossible to keep the business afloat, especially with already thin profit margins in the hospitality industry.

Despite these setbacks, there’s a silver lining worth noting. Schwartz and Sandoval, whose friendship was nearly destroyed by the scandal and the failed bar situation, are on the mend. Schwartz recently shared that the two had a long, positive FaceTime conversation where Sandoval sounded optimistic and good. Both men still maintain stakes in TomTom, their other restaurant venture, and they’re apparently focused on moving forward. It’s a solid reminder that even when business and friendships hit rock bottom, healing and reconciliation are possible with time and honest communication. What do you think makes a celebrity’s response to tabloid criticism more relatable to you: humor or sincerity?