Vanderpump Rules: Why Ariana & Tom Have The Healthiest Relationship

Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval are among the last couples standing on Vanderpump Rules for a good reason, as the couple has always maintained a zesty chemistry and balanced each other out. Tom is known as a Hollywood diva, while Ariana is the grounded voice of reason on Vanderpump Rules. Overall, Ariana and Tom don’t worry about everyone else and are solely focused on each other. While Tom is an original cast member, Ariana joined Vanderpump Rules season 2. Though the couple started out solely as fellow bartenders, it wasn’t long until their relationship turned into something romantic.

While training Ariana at Sur, Tom said, “When I first heard that Ariana was coming over to Sur, I was excited cus she’s a good friend of mine, and she’s cool, she’s chill, unlike most of the other girls at Sur.” As Ariana got into some muddling for a raspberry mojito, she was jokingly concerned about the armpit exposure. Tom then informed her that armpits were in and clavicles were out. This is precisely the nonsensical content that brought them together and later inspired Ariana and Tom’s cocktail book. At the season 2 reunion, after Tom broke up with Kristen Doute, he and Ariana hesitantly revealed they’d been dating. Kristen didn’t let go quickly, but her fury only seemed to stoke their fire of love as the pair moved in together and mastered adulting. The primary roadblocks were Tom’s ability to be easily distracted, often by Tom Schwartz, and Ariana’s struggles with self-esteem and mental health.

With adulting being checked off the list early on, Tom and Ariana always managed to have mature conversations about what wasn’t working and found ways to step up to the plate. Ariana always made space for Tom to be as over-the-top as he wanted to be, from starring in music videos to finding a costume for every formal occasion. Tom has also never dismissed or diminished Ariana for battling depression, skin cancer, or eating disorder. Having an open dialogue is key to success in love. During Watch What Happen’s Live with Andy Cohen (seen below), Tom shared some of the good things about Kristen. When asked in what way Kristen was a better girlfriend, Ariana was comfortable saying, “I think she was a lot more eager to please. Like making breakfast and things like that.” In turn, Tom and Ariana don’t take things too seriously or let their egos get in the way of open communication. Moreover, touchy subjects don’t rock their boats.

Refusing to play into gender stereotypes is another great aspect of Tom and Ariana’s healthy relationship. Ariana resented the pressure to get married and have children. Instead, they were focused on purchasing a home together, which they did in season 8. Tom’s endless need for attention and enthusiasm for makeup, along with Ariana showing out as a groomsman at Tom Schwartz’s wedding, also defied gender roles. Indeed, it’s about time for these traits to not be ascribed to any gender in 2022. Rather, the fact that Ariana and Tom both embody historically masculine and feminine characteristics indicates that they allow each other to be full-fledged humans. This is yet another reason why their relationship has been so successful.

With Raquel Leviss & James Kennedy and Katie Maloney & Tom Schwartz officially broken up, Ariana and Tom are one of the last Vanderpump Rules couples standing. If the rest of the cast takes a closer look at their dynamic, they’ll see it’s for a good reason. More couples should embrace each other as openly and honestly as Tom and Ariana.

Sources: Watch What Happens Live

About The Author

Olivia Landon
(261 Articles Published)

Olivia Landon is a digital creative working in entertainment media and television production. A graduate of Occidental College’s Critical Theory and Social Justice and Media Arts & Culture programs, Olivia believes in entertainment as a springboard for curating intersectional cultures of care. Visit her website https://www.livlandon.media/

More From Olivia Landon