Tom Schwartzis escaping to another planet amid the fallout of#Scandoval.
In PEOPLE’s exclusive preview of the new Fox competition seriesStar on Mars, the 40-year-oldVanderpump Rulesstar is welcomed to the red planet, where he and his fellow celebrity contestants will “live, eat, sleep, strategize and bond with each other” in “authentic conditions that simulate life on Mars,” according to a press release from network.
The clip begins with wrestlerRonda Rouseywondering who the newest arrival will be and she already has someone in mind. She says, “I want Matt Damon.”
Brook Rushton/FOX
As the reality star arrives in a full spacesuit, a voice says, “Matt Damonunavailable. Welcome Tom Schwartz.”
Schwartz then shares his reason for taking part in the show, saying, “So I chose to do this littleStars on Marsexperiment [because] maybe ironically, I needed a break from reality, specifically my reality.”
He went on to explain to fellow competitorChristopher Mintz-Plassethe premise ofVanderpump Rules. He says, “Our show is actually kind of a derivative ofThe Housewives. It’sVanderpump Rules. It’s like people work and have sex with each other.”
Mintz-Plasse jokingly responds, “We’re not doing that here.”
Star Trek’sWilliam Shatner, whowent to space in October 2021onJeff Bezos’s Blue Originspace shuttle, serves as Mission Control and gives the participants their interstellar assignments.
Schwatz likely needed the break afternews brokein March that his best friend and business partnerTom Sandovalhad split from his girlfriend ofnine years,Ariana Madix. Madix and Sandoval broke up after she learned of his affair with theirVPRcostarRaquel Leviss.
Last month, Madix, 37, called out Schwartz during an appearance onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenwhen hostAndy Cohenasked if Madix thought Schwartz was “covering” for her then-boyfriend’s affair with Leviss.
“I don’t think it was covering,” Madix replied. “I think it was actively participating in my downfall.”
Ralph Bavaro/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Paul Archuleta/Getty; Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
Schwartz admitted on the Bravo show’s finale that Sandoval had told him about the affair with Leviss, 28, prior to Madix finding out — though the timeline of when exactly that conversation happened appears to still be up for debate. (CostarLala Kent, 32, even criticized theSchwartz & Sandy’sowners for “not putting their timeline together to match” during thereunion.)
Madix also confronted Schwartz directly on the finale episode. While at cocktails for a girls' night out,Katie Maloney’sex-husbandarrived to speak to Madix.
“I just wanted to look you in the eyes and say I’m sorry for this whole thing,” he said in a one-on-one conversation with Madix. “I’m not looking for sympathy here, but I’m being painted as this co-conspirator, and it’s f—ing devastating to me.”
It was then that Madix ended their friendship for good. “I don’t think that you are that person, but I will not have mutual friends with him. So, I’m not your friend anymore.”
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Stars on Marspremieres Monday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.
source: people.com
