Tom Schwartz Reflects on Being "Bitter" and Forging a New Friendship with Lala: "Special Little Connection"

Many relationships were put to the test on Vanderpump Rules Season 10, and viewers are seeing some friendships recover and others form for the first time on Season 11. 

After getting into a disagreement during the group's beach outing on Season 10, Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz are working on resolving their differences on the 11th season.

During James Kennedy and Ally Lewber's pool party on Season 11, Episode 4 (which aired on February 20), Lala approached Schwartz to have a discussion about their past issues. The one-time pals chatted things out, and they each apologized for things that happened in the past.

Get a recap on their chat below, and find out what Lala and Schwartz had to say about their surprising conversation during the Vanderpump Rules After Show by scrolling below. 

Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz Make Amends in Their Friendship

While sitting together by the pool, Lala apologized to Schwartz for being hard on him the year before. She recognized that he was going through a difficult time while navigating his dad and brother's respective health issues.

"I'm really freaking tired of keeping my dukes up..." she told Schwartz. "There's gotta be a middle ground for me."

She does regret, at times, when she gets involved. "There are times where I take things to heart, which is what I'm working on is not being a dog in everyone else's fight," she added. 

As she shared in an interview on the episode, "It's just not healthy. At some point in my life, I have to practice forgiveness. I cannot wear my trauma like a badge of honor anymore."

Lala went on to tell Schwartz that she admires how he looks for the best in other people. 

"I constantly watch you please everyone around you, and it's such an amazing quality," Lala said. 

However, she recognized the same quality in her dad, and she saw how much it stressed him out. Schwartz also apologized for his actions from the year before, and for criticizing the appearance of Lala's lips. 

"I am sorry for the manner in which I retaliated..." Schwartz said. "I see you with Ocean, and I see what a great f-cking mom you are and how much humanity you have, and I remember why I kind of fell in love with you in the first place as friends."

Tom and Lala talking during Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 4. Photo: Nicole Weingart/Bravo

Lala Kent Reveals Why She Apologized to Tom Schwartz

During the Vanderpump Rules Season 11 After Show, Lala explained why she wanted to make amends with the Schwartz & Sandy's co-owner at the pool party. 

"Probably me not wanting to light him on fire. I think me just putting my guard down and not leading with anger. I, like, tried to listen to him, I tried to have a space where, when he's opening up about his dad being sick, his brother struggling — instead of coming from a place of 'We all got sh-t,' it was coming from a place of like, 'OK, I know how difficult that is," she said. "I wanted grace when I went through things like that.'"

In his own interview, Schwartz said that he missed being on good terms with the mom of one. 

"We had been on the rocks for a long time, and I, you know, I was OK with it. I do my thing where I'm like, 'Whatever, I'm good.' But, deep down, I did miss her friendship. I know we've never been best friends, but, deep down, I did miss her friendship... We've always been tight."

Though he wasn't always in agreement with Lala, he does now understand where she was coming from on Season 10. 

"We've always had a special little connection on the side... That was one of the first moments I felt a really deep, meaningful soulful connection with the group, and in particular, with Lala," he added. "I also had a fall from grace by association, and it was hard for me just being an outcast. I remember just spiraling in my mind and having so many people in my ears... I'm a little bitter about that, in hindsight. But, at the same time, I totally understand where she's coming from." 

Watch new episodes of Vanderpump Rules on Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo. Stream the next day on Peacock.