Tom Schwartz Has a '5-Year Plan' to Be 'BFFs' with Ariana Madix Again After Keeping Mum About Affair (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Ariana Madix and Tom Schwartz.Photo:Cindy Ord/Bravo via Getty, Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

Cindy Ord/Bravo via Getty, Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

Tom Schwartzis in for the long haul if that’s what it takes to get back intoAriana Madix’s good graces.

TheVanderpump Rulesstar, 41, exclusively tells PEOPLE of his plans to restore his friendship with Madix, 38, after their fallout as a result of this spring’sScandoval.

Noting how she’s been “absolutely crushing it” onDancing with the Stars, Schwartz admits that their friendship is “still kind of strained” as the cast heads into anew season of their Bravo show.

Ariana Madix and Tom Schwartz.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

“I’m always cordial with her and I’m always excited to see her,” he says. “She’ll give me a nod and say hi, but I think our friendship [is] going to take some work. I got a five-year plan.”

“Five years from now I want to be BFFs again,” quips theSchwartz & Sandysco-owner.

Not only does he believe Madix isdominating ther competitiononDWTS, but the Bravolebrity says she’s also “crushing life” as she’s turned lemons into lemonade with her “glow up” after the affair.

He continues, “Not that she wasn’t  thriving before, but her star is shining bright right now. She’s a star and she’s dancing.”

Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov on ‘Dancing With The Stars’.ABC/Christopher Willard

ABC/Christopher Willard

Madix and Schwartz’s years-long friendship came to a close during theVanderpump Rulesseason 10 finalewhile addressing her exTom Sandoval’smonths-long affairwith their costarRachel “Raquel” Leviss.

During their emotional conversation, Schwartz said he was “not excusing” Sandoval’s behavior and apologized to Madix for concealing the truth afterlearning of the affair.

“I just wanted to look you in the eyes and say I’m sorry for this whole thing,” he told 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.”

Tom Schwartz, Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval.Ralph Bavaro/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Paul Archuleta/Getty; Phillip Faraone/Getty Images

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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,” she said. “So, I’m not your friend anymore.”

Madix later addressed Schwartz’s role in it all onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, saying, “I don’t think it was just covering, I think it wasactively participating in my downfall.”

source: people.com