Tom Schwartz is one of the newest cast members to join Bravo’s hit reality series, “The Valley“, and he couldn’t be more excited about his next chapter.
For those who don’t know him, Tom Schwartz was one of the star actors in the original.Vanderpump Rules“, which also included actors Tom Sandoval, Jax Taylor, Stassi Schroeder and Scheana Shay.
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Tom Schwartz is excited for his second act on Bravo as the new full-time member of ‘The Valley’
Speaking to BravoTV during a recent Q&A, Schwartz said his return to Bravo “feels so right,” adding that returning to the small screen as part of “The Valley” “really feels like a rebirth in the most organic way.”
“I don’t feel like I’m being cast in a new show, you know what I mean? It’s like they just picked up cameras with another group of friends that I all know and love,” he said.
“The Valley” Season 3 premieres on April 1, 2026 and will feature many OGs from the first two seasons, such as Brittany Cartwright, Kristen Doute, Danny Booko, Nia Booko, Jason Caperna, Janet Caperna, Jasmine Goode, Jesse Lally, Michelle Saniei and Zack Wickham.
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What’s going on with Tom Schwartz in ‘The Valley’ season 3?
It’s been a while since Bravo watchers got an in-depth look at Schwartz’s life since his firing from “VPR.”
According to him, in “The Valley”, viewers will see a completely different side of the bar owner.
“I’m starting my life again in my 40s, and you can see what that’s like,” he said. “And, also, you get to see me in the beginning of my relationship, which is super intimate.”
Schwartz’s season 3 bio says cameras will also capture the veteran reality star as he navigates the drama emerging in his relationships with his longtime friends.
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“After a tumultuous few years, Tom is eager to settle down and find his forever person, even testing the waters within the friend group,” the bio reads. “When a promising romantic interest comes into play, his friends question the validity of the relationship and his dating choices, creating friction for him within the friend group.”
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Tom Schwartz wasn’t sure about joining ‘The Valley’ as a full-time member at first
A previous report from The Blast reveals that Schwartz wasn’t so sure about joining the “Valley” cast full-time. Last year, the Bravo staple said he thought producers were trying to decide whether the show really needed more players.
“…they want to keep – this is my interpretation – ‘The Valley’ pure,” he said. “I think it’s good like that.”
The network decided to go in a different direction for the next set of episodes, and after watching the super teaser for season 3 online, Schwartz posted to Instagram to celebrate the special occasion.
“I’m grateful to be back in your living room (being silly). PS I MISSED YOU GUYS,” he wrote.
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Schwartz had a difficult time in his friendship with Sandoval and points to the failure of their bar, “Schwartz & Sandy’s”
Another report from The Blast details Schwartz’s complicated relationship with one of his best friends, Sandoval.
On “Vanderpump Rules,” the two were filmed opening two bars, “TomTom” and “Schwartz & Sandy’s.”
The latter, however, was forced to close following a drop in bar attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the backlash Sandoval received after he was exposed for cheating on his partner of 10 years, Ariana Madix, with her then-best friend.
“Unfortunately, the current climate for this business is quite difficult,” Schwartz said in 2024. “Recovering from all the post-scandal negativity hasn’t been easy, and the thinner margins post-COVID have made it even harder to bounce back. There’s not a lot of room for error in the restaurant/bar business.”
“It’s already a tough job, and the damage caused by relentless negative press over the last year has made it even tougher,” he added. “It was hard not to feel resentful and bitter, but ultimately we had to let it go – not replay what was wrong again.”
Although Schwartz acknowledged that he and Sandoval would always be close because of their history, he also admitted that he harbored “deep-seated frustrations” over the failure of their business venture.
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Jax Taylor stepped away from ‘The Valley’ after a difficult year in front of the cameras
One Bravo cast member viewers shouldn’t expect to see on the upcoming season of “The Valley” is Jax Taylor.
According to The Blast, Taylor left the show after season 2 to focus on himself and his personal struggles, which he said involved cocaine and alcohol.
“After an incredibly difficult year and many honest conversations with my team and producers, I will be stepping down from the upcoming season of The Valley,” he said. “Right now, I need to focus on my sobriety, my mental health, and my co-parenting. Taking this time is necessary for me to become the best version of myself, especially for our son, Cruz.”
