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Tom Sandoval and the Vanderpump Rules Cast Reflect on the Loss of His Friend, Ali Rafiq
Scheana Shay shared why she felt a need to text Tom Sandoval following Ali Rafiq's passing.
The Vanderpump Rules crew returned to our screens with the Season 11 premiere, which aired on January 30.
In addition to getting insight into what happened with cast members Ariana Madix, Lala Kent, Scheana Shay, Katie Maloney, James Kennedy, Tom Schwartz, Tom Sandoval, and Lisa Vanderpump after the dramatic Season 10 reunion aired, viewers learned more about a tragic event that had taken place just a few weeks earlier.
On the first episode, Scheana revealed that she had recently reached out to Sandoval when his best friend, Ali Rafiq, unexpectedly passed away. During the first episode of the Vanderpump Rules After Show, Scheana shared the reason why she felt a need to reach out to Sandoval, and several of the other cast members opened up about their friendships with Ali.
Here's What You May Have Missed on Bravo:
How Scheana Shay's Daughter Summer Moon Is Caught Up in the Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix Drama
Why Tom Sandoval Was Missing for Most of the Vanderpump Rules Season 11 Premiere
Tom Schwartz Opens Up on the "Biggest Fight" He's Ever Had with Tom Sandoval
Why Scheana Shay Reached Out to Tom Sandoval After Ali Rafiq's Death
During the first episode of Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Scheana discussed Sandoval's friendship with Ali.
"Ali was one of Tom Sandoval's best friends from childhood, who we got close with..." Scheana explained in an interview on the episode, before noting that she had gone to Coachella with him a few times in the past. "He was just such an amazing person, and, recently, he passed away."
Following Ali's passing, Scheana reached out to Sandoval to lend her support. She then found out that he had blocked her, her sister, her podcast, and her daughter, Summer Moon Honey Davies, on Instagram.
During the Vanderpump Rules After Show, Scheana and James reflected on their respective friendships with Ali.
"I knew Ali. [He] came to visit Tom. Super nice. Tom loved him like a brother. Obviously, they were just, like, so close. He was so protective of Ali and they just had always the best of times together," James said, which you can check out by watching the video at the top of this post. "He'd always come to music festivals, so, you know, everyone gets very close those nights at music festivals and chats, so it was hard for sure."
Scheana explained why she felt a need to reach out to Sandoval via text.
"I knew that this was going to take a huge toll on him, losing someone so close to him for so long in his life. I felt like I wouldn't be a human if I didn't reach out and send my condolences," she said. "And, I think, honestly, everyone pretty much in the group around then did [reach out]. Even Ariana did."
Tom Sandoval Opens Up About the Passing of His Friend, Ali Rafiq
When Sandoval's friend passed away in May 2023, he said that it was one of the "worst periods" he had gone through in his life.
"Like, I'm in one of the worst periods of this whole situation, like, emotionally, mentally, just really, really down and really upset and just broken..." Sandoval said on the Vanderpump Rules After Show. "I was super upset, I was insulted that [Scheana] had texted me, 'Let me know if you need anything.'"
Hear more from Sandoval and his castmates in the above clip.
New episodes of Vanderpump Rules air on Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo. Stream episodes the next day on Peacock.
