Kristen Doute Reacts to Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval’s Split

A former SURver has entered the chat. Vanderpump Rules alum Kristen Doute is sharing her reaction to the news that Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval have split up. Kristen addressed it during an appearance on the Scheananigans with Scheana Shay podcast this week, in which she noted that the breakup is “bringing back so many memories” for her.

“This is all very surreal that this occurred with [Tom] and Raquel [Leviss] behind Ariana’s back,” Kristen said, via People. “Like, there’s still something I have not fully digested yet. I was literally shocked. But now, in hindsight, I’m like, that, yeah, that sounds about right. But I really didn’t think he’d do it to her.”

While Kristen, Tom, and Ariana have their own dramatic past with one another (which was a topic at the Vanderpump Rules Season 2 reunion), she shed more light on her own relationship with Tom.

“We should’ve broken up after a year or two,” Kristen said. “We shared a DVR box. We shared bills. We shared a s--tty apartment. We didn’t have any money. And it was like, we shared the same friend group. It was, like, easier to just — as it felt in the moment — easier to just stay in it than it was to, like, break up the friend group. But we were both unfaithful. We cheated on each other.”

In the years since, Ariana and Kristen have been able to put their past aside and become close friends, which Kristen noted during the podcast appearance: “I’m so lucky to call her a really good friend for many, many years now.”

Following the split, Vanderpump Rules Season 10 resumed production. Kristen has been spotted filming.

Fans will recall that news broke on March 3 that Tom and Ariana had gone their separate ways after more than nine years together. 

He has addressed his role in the split in two separate statements, the first of which included an apology to those feeling “anger” or “disappointment” toward him, as well as Tom Schwartz and their business partners.

The latest, which Sandoval shared on March 7, focused on Ariana. “I made mistakes, I was selfish, and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly,” he wrote in part. “I can only imagine how devastating this has been for Ariana and everyone around us,” he continued. “I feel really horrible about that. My biggest regret is that I dishonored Ariana. I never meant to disappoint so many people, including our loving families and friends.”

Raquel has also issued statements following Tom and Ariana’s split amid cheating allegations. She later posted a statement to her Instagram account that addressed her “feelings” for him and the next steps she’s taking in the situation.

Ariana has yet to publicly address the breakup. While she took a break from social media, she reactivated her Instagram account on Thursday, March 9, and she has been spending time with her friends. 

Watch Vanderpump Rules on Bravo Wednesdays at 9/8c and the next day on Peacock. And catch up on all past seasons of Vanderpump Rules on Peacock.