Current:Home > NewsTom Sandoval slammed by 'Vanderpump Rules' co-stars for posing with captive tiger -ChatGPT
Tom Sandoval slammed by 'Vanderpump Rules' co-stars for posing with captive tiger
FinLogic FinLogic Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-07 23:13:32
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! (756)
Related
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- A man accused of stalking UConn star Paige Bueckers is found with an engagement ring near airport
- Is Demi Moore as Obsessed With J.Crew's Barn Jacket as We Are?
- Brackish water creeping up the Mississippi River may threaten Louisiana’s drinking supply
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Democrats run unopposed to fill 2 state House vacancies in Philadelphia
- Oregon man charged with stalking, harassing UConn's Paige Bueckers
- Boston Marathon lowers qualifying times for most prospective runners for 2026 race
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- 90 Day Fiancé’s Big Ed Brown Engaged to Porscha Raemond 24 Hours After Meeting at Fan Event
Ranking
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Maná removes song with Nicky Jam in protest of his support for Trump
- Bill Belichick looking back on Super Bowl victories highlight 'ManningCast' during MNF
- America’s Got Talent Alum Emily Gold’s Family Shares Moving Tribute After Her Death
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- 'He didn't blink': Kirk Cousins defies doubters to lead Falcons' wild comeback win vs. Eagles
- 'He didn't blink': Kirk Cousins defies doubters to lead Falcons' wild comeback win vs. Eagles
- Cousins caps winning drive with TD pass to London as Falcons rally past Eagles 22-21
Recommendation
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Kentucky deputy killed in exchange of gunfire with suspect, sheriff says
Boar's Head listeria outbreak timeline: When it started, deaths, lawsuits, factory closure
8-year-old girl drove mom's SUV on Target run: 'We did let her finish her Frappuccino'
Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ faces federal charges in New York, his lawyer says
Tough treatment and good memories mix at newest national site dedicated to Latinos
A teen inmate is bound over for trial in a Wisconsin youth prison counselor’s death