Is Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval Leaving Reality TV Behind For Good With His Latest Movie Role?

Tom Sandoval was labeled reality TV's biggest villain when his affair with co-star Rachel (formerly known as Raquel) Leviss was made public. Tom and Rachel's months-long affair was a major storyline in Season 10 of Bravo's Vanderpump Rules. In Season 11, viewers watched as Tom's castmates began to show forgiveness while others wanted nothing to do with him.

As Season 12 remains on hiatus as the cast has become divided because of the affair, it looks like Tom may be switching careers. There's no word if these cast members have a job lined up for another season of VPR. For Tom, it may be best that he's shedding his reality TV persona and making a career change into movies.

Tom Sandoval Stars In A New Horror Film As He Tries To Remove Himself From His Reality TV Villain Persona

Is Tom Sandoval ready to let go of his reality TV villain persona? It seems that way, as the much-hated Vanderpump Rules cast member is focusing on a budding career as a serious actor.

In October, Tom shared with his Instagram followers that he was starring in a new Peacock film titled, A Nanny To Die For. In his post, Tom shared a movie poster in which he is giving soap opera vibes with his gloomy stare. His post also includes a short trailer for the film.

The thriller arrived just in time for Halloween. According to IMDb, the movie's synopsis reads:

"Sarah makes the brave choice to go back to work and and hires a young woman names Jasmine to help out around the house with her 13-year-old daughter. While she seems like the perfect nanny, Jasmine has a secret past with Sarah and is determined to ruin this loving family."

Tom portrays a man named Tommy, the ex-boyfriend of one of the main characters. Also starring in the film are Brittany Carel, who plays Jasmine, the nanny, and Meredith Thomas, who stars as Sarah.

A look at the comment section of Tom's Instagram post showed that many of his followers thought his acting was great, although he was not a main character in the film. "We watched this, love everything Tom is in!" a follower shared.

Fun Fact: Tom starred in two music videos for Bon Jovi's songs, "Misunderstood" and "All About Lovin' You."

"Saw it! It was awesome Tom/Tommy! lol You're definitely ready for future Lifetime movies." Another follower said, while one wrote, "I watched it and liked it. I only wish you had a bigger part. You're acting was great!"

Even Tom's co-star, Brittany, believed the reality-star-turned-serious-actor nailed his performance. "[Tom] is also a natural, he brought charisma to every line," she told The Digital Journal.

Tom's First Movie Gig Was In 2008

This wasn't Tom's first time working on a movie set. Looking at the reality TV star's IMDb page, Tom's first movie role was in the R-rated horror/thriller Playing with Fire, which premiered in 2008. In the film, Tom starred as Miles, one of the main character's friends who plays sexual mind games for a thrill.

In 2012, he starred opposite Eric Roberts in 23 Minutes to Sunrise and took a hiatus from acting roles when VPR premiered in 2013.

Fun Fact: In 2011, Tom starred opposite VPR cast mate and ex-girlfriend Kristen Doute in the thriller Behind Your Eyes.

Between 2014-2021, Tom starred in a couple of TV movies and shorts. He also starred in a leading role in the horror film Scare Us. This year, it looked like Tom was putting his acting career in full throttle as he starred in two movies, with one being A Nanny to Die For. Before that, Tom worked with Eric Roberts again in Lifetime's Tall, Dark and Dangerous.

Speaking to E! News about the film, Tom appeared to be excited about getting back into acting as VPR was on a hiatus.

"It feels great. I did move out to L.A., like most people, to pursue acting and music. I was doing movies early on in my L.A. time and then obviously Vanderpump Rules happened. That juggernaut completely shifted me into reality TV. So, now it's really cool to come back and do something like this.

"Film with a camera in my face when the stakes aren't so high and my life isn't crumbling."

When E! News asked Tom if he could foresee more movie roles in his future, he answered, "I'm not opposed to it."

VPR Cast Members Are Finding Ways To Earn A Living As Season 12 Remains Up In The Air

Tom isn't the only Vanderpump Rules cast member to take on more work as the show is still on a lengthy hiatus. For instance, Tom's ex, Ariana Madix, might have had the best couple of years career-wise post-affair. Ariana landed dozens of work opportunities, including starring in commercials, competing on Season 32 of Dancing With the Stars (she placed 3rd), and hosting one of the most watched reality TV dating shows, Love Island USA Season 6.

Ariana also landed her dream job when she starred as Roxy Hart in the Broadway show Chicago. In the meantime, she and co-star Katie Maloney have also been busy running their sandwich shop, Something About Her.

Fun Fact: When he's not making movies or starring on reality TV, Tom rocks out with his band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras.

As for Scheana Shay and Lala Kent, both women might be making an appearance on Bravo's The Valley Season 2. Both women made cameos in the first season of the show, which stars VPR alums Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright, and Kristen Doute. Scheana is also the host of her popular Scheananigans podcast, while Lala welcomed her second child, a daughter named Sosa, in September.

It's just a waiting game for now for both Vanderpump Rules fans and the cast. However, it's been reported that the show is definitely not canceled. That's definitely a good sign as Scheana would love to have just one more season of the show.