Current:Home > NewsTom Sandoval slammed by 'Vanderpump Rules' co-stars for posing with captive tiger -TrueNorth Capital Hub
Tom Sandoval slammed by 'Vanderpump Rules' co-stars for posing with captive tiger
View
Date:2025-04-16 22:29:31
Tom Sandoval has once again drawn criticism from his "Vanderpump Rules" co-stars and fans, this time for a video taken at a tiger zoo in Thailand.
In an Instagram Story Tuesday, which was reposted on a fan account for the Bravo show, Sandoval, 40, is seen interacting with tigers at the Thai zoo.
In one video, Sandoval sits cross-legged on the grass as a tiger is commanded to place its front paws on his shoulders, and in another, he feeds a tiger through a fence.
USA TODAY has reached out to Sandoval's reps for comment.
"I would never go to a place like this. Let them all run free," wrote his "VPR" co-star James Kennedy, 31, in the fan account's comments Wednesday, "always found this cruel and so sad."
A second "VPR" co-star also slammed the video. Lala Kent, in a text post on her Instagram Story Wednesday, voiced her concern for the tigers in captivity.
"I am appalled by the photo my cast member took with a tiger in captivity. This topic has been close to my heart for many years," wrote the PETA advocate, 33. "What is disguised as 'fun' and 'cool' is, in fact, animal abuse. It's heartbreaking. I've made noise about educating yourselves, & here I am to tell you again… Do not support places like this."
Kent previously starred in a "Free the Orcas" ad for PETA, alongside Sandoval's ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix and fellow cast member Scheana Shay. In June, PETA praised Kent for going after SeaWorld and pushing the theme park to release a long-captive orca named Corky to a seaside sanctuary.
Sandoval was already in hot water before his visit to Thailand.
'Vanderpump Rules' Season 11:Premiere date, trailer, cast, how to watch new season
In November, Sandoval entered to overwhelming boos from "VPR" fans at BravoCon 2023 for his role in what was infamously dubbed "Scandoval," skyrocketing the cast into the larger pop culture zeitgeist.
In March, a scandal involving Sandoval cheating on Madix, his girlfriend of nine years, with her former close friend, Rachel "Raquel" Leviss, rocked the Bravo cast. Leviss did not appear at BravoCon.
"It's to be expected," Madix told People of the reaction Sandoval received.
Sandoval took the crowd's anger toward him in stride, telling moderator Karamo Brown, "It feels good to be here in Vegas. It's BravoCon. It's crazy. The fans are amazing."
When asked why he still chose to attend, the TomTom restaurant co-owner said, "I'd rather stand here and face it."
Contributing: Naledi Ushe
'Vanderpump Villa':Watch teaser for Lisa Vanderpump's dramatic new reality TV series
veryGood! (39771)
Related
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- In the Amazon, Indigenous women bring a tiny tribe back from the brink of extinction
- Horoscopes Today, December 2, 2023
- A toaster placed under a car to heat up the battery likely sparked a fire in Denmark, police say
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Purdue Pharma, Sacklers' OxyContin settlement lands at the Supreme Court
- Spanish judge opens an investigation into intelligence agents who allegedly passed secrets to the US
- The North Korean leader calls for women to have more children to halt a fall in the birthrate
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Ted Koppel on the complicated legacy of Henry Kissinger
Ranking
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- LAPD: Suspect in 'serial' killings of homeless men in custody for a fourth killing
- Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Spotted at Kansas City Christmas Bar With Patrick and Brittany Mahomes
- Queen Bey's 'Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé' reigns at the box office with $21M opening
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- 'Madman' fatally stabs 4 family members, injures 2 officers in Queens, New York
- California faculty at largest US university system launch strike for better pay
- Longtime 'Fresh Air' contributor Dave Davies signs off (sort of)
Recommendation
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
The high cost of subscription binges: How businesses get rich off you forgetting to cancel
Economists predict US inflation will keep cooling and the economy can avoid a recession
Smackdown by 49ers should serve as major reality check for Eagles
Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Harris dashed to Dubai to tackle climate change and war. Each carries high political risks at home
Spotify axes 17% of workforce in third round of layoffs this year
Leading candy manufacturer Mars Inc. accused of using child labor in CBS investigation