Tom Sandoval said his recent appearance on “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” was “exactly what I needed” after Scandoval.
He became a hate figure in March when it was revealed that he had cheated on his girlfriend of nine years, Ariana Madix, with her “Vanderpump Rules” co-star Raquel Leviss.
Tom, 40, was showered with abuse from the public and was still the subject of widespread mockery online when he joined the cast of Special Forces.
In the Fox show, celebrities complete grueling military training exercises under the guidance of real ex-special forces agents.
In a new interview, Tom told TMZ that the show offered an escape from the “media frenzy” of Scandoval since there were “no phones” or “contact with the outside world.”
Tom Sandoval said his recent appearance on “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” was “exactly what I needed” after Scandoval.
He became a hate figure in March when it was revealed that he had cheated on his girlfriend of nine years, Ariana Madix (right), with her “Vanderpump Rules” co-star Raquel Leviss (left).
Tom, pictured with Raquel, was showered with abuse from the public and was still the subject of widespread online ridicule when he joined the cast of Special Forces
When reflecting on whether his controversy ever impacted his experience in Special Forces, Tom explained, “One of the good things about it is that when they brought that crap up, I didn’t think about it too much,” you know ‘or only unless someone else brought it up.’
He added affectionately: “That was one of those things – the beauty of that situation was that you could just concentrate on the things in front of you.” You know, no phones, nothing, no contact with the outside world. You know, you just worry about the people next to you and what you have to do.’
“Special Forces” was “exactly what I needed at that moment in my life,” he said. “It was like, you know, I just felt consumed by this scandal, and it was a way to work hard on something and do something that had nothing to do with it.”
The reality TV star also noted that his own struggles paled in comparison to those of many of his castmates, such as Jack Osbourne, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and had to be taken off the show due to a medical emergency.
He also cited Bode Miller, who tragically lost his one-year-old daughter to an accidental drowning, and Brian Austin Green, who at one point was unable to speak due to health problems such as dizziness and colitis.
“All of these people have been through things and when you hear them tell their stories it puts things in life into perspective, you know, it really does,” Tom said.
“It was hard not to feel kind of stupid when we were being questioned by staff sergeants about my situation. Because in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal compared to everyone else, you know what I mean?” he admitted.
“So, but I think it was because of the media hype, it obviously became that way.” “It was just very difficult for me to talk to them about it and not feel stupid, really stupid.”
The second season of Fox’s “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” came to an end this Monday. Three of the five finalists emerged victorious – Olympic speed skater Erin Jackson and “Bachelor” stars Nick Viall and Tyler Cameron.
Tom was removed at the start of this Monday’s final by a mysterious referee known only as ‘The Referee’
Internet personality Jojo Siwa voluntarily retired midway through the final stages, while Tom was previously removed by a mysterious referee known only as “The Umpire”.
The episode begins with the challenge on the eighth day, with the narrator revealing, “The recruits have been captured and will now face up to twelve hours of military-level interrogation.”
Billy adds in the confession: “This is now the final phase.” The question you are now asking yourself is: “Can I survive?” Will I survive?”
A title card reveals: “Resistance to interrogation is a key phase in special forces selection.” It prepares recruits for capture by the enemy by exposing them to techniques not permitted by the Geneva Conventions.
Internet personality Jojo Siwa voluntarily dropped out midway through the final stages
They bring in a team of experienced interrogators (John, Erine, Dilksy) who the narrator says have “over 30 years of experience between them,” as well as a referee known only as “The Umpire” who is “from “cannot be identified for security reasons”.
“Resistance to interrogation is the hardest phase that special forces employees have to go through.” Because it is primarily a mental exercise. It’s psychological warfare. The interrogators are never your friends. “They are always the enemy and you can never trust them,” says the referee.
The interrogators and Rudy begin discussing the recruits, starting with Number 3 – Jojo Siwa, who Rudy says is “the youngest of our recruits, but extremely motivated.” Much energy. The figurehead of the influencer. She feels very comfortable in it.’
They move on to Number 5 – Tyler Cameron – who Rudy describes as “a model, very All-American.” “He has a brother who is a soldier, and I think he always believed that his brother was the real hero, the real man.”
Rudy moves on to number 6 – Erin Jackson – who he describes as a “30-year-old Olympic gold medalist in speed skating.” Speed skating is so individual. Out here in a team environment, she tends to be a wallflower.”
Rudy describes number 12 – Nick Viall – as “a gray man” and adds: “We expected him to perform better as the course progressed. “But over the last few days he has gotten stronger.”
They end with number 4 – Tom Sandoval – and Rudy adds that he’s “going through something so difficult personally.” I think he’s vulnerable.’
The referee adds: “But the reality now is if, if… If he fails to communicate effectively, he will not succeed here. ‘Let’s do it.’
They bring in a team of experienced interrogators (John, Erine, Dilksy) who the narrator says have “over 30 years of combined experience,” as well as a referee known only as “The Arbitrator” who is “the cannot be identified for security reasons.”
“Resistance to interrogation is the hardest phase that special forces employees have to go through.” Because it is primarily a mental exercise. It’s psychological warfare. The interrogators are never your friends. “They are always the enemy and you can never trust them,” says the referee
Tyler Cameron is seen rubbing his hands together to stay warm, but is told, “Keep rubbing your hands together, I’ll shove them up your ass.”
Jason “Foxy” Fox adds in the confession: “The goal of the interrogation is to get the recruits to find out what their breaking point is.”
Sandoval is asked who told him he could put his gloves on, but he sheepishly says his hands are cold.
One of the kidnappers says, “You have to learn not to do anything unless we tell you to, you understand?”
Fox adds, “You’re going to be tired, exhausted, cold and hungry.” And you have to put all that aside. “You have to survive by making people realize that you are worth staying alive.”
The narrator adds, “Due to the high risk involved in the interrogation, the referee is responsible for the security of this phase and has the power to dismiss recruits at any time if he deems them unfit to continue.”
“I am the referee and I am responsible for this phase.” I cannot be imitated. “If at any point you wish to leave this phase, simply raise your hand and ask to speak to the referee,” he tells them.