Tom Schwartz is still one of the most talked-about faces from Vanderpump Rules, even with VPR off the air and the bars behind him. Fans keep asking how old Tom Schwartz is, who he’s dating, what his net worth looks like, and where he stands with castmates like Lala Kent and Tom Sandoval. This guide answers all of it, from the Daily Mail “unrecognizable” headlines to his life with model girlfriend Kiana Carroll and his plans back home in Minnesota.
Biography Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Thomas Schwartz |
| Nickname | Schwartzy |
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Woodbury, Minnesota, USA |
| Age | 44 (as of October 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Profession | Reality TV personality, bartender, restaurateur, podcast host |
| Years Active | 2013 – present |
| Education | Woodbury High School; Florida State University |
| Ex-Spouse | Katie Maloney (married 2016, divorced 2023) |
| Relationship Status | Dating Kiana Carroll |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | Estimated in the low millions (reported figures vary) |
| Notable Works | Vanderpump Rules, Winter House, The Valley, Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz |
| Social Media |
How Old Is Tom Schwartz?
Tom Schwartz is 44 years old. He was born on June 15, 1982, in Woodbury, Minnesota, which makes him a Gemini. He was 43 when the “unrecognizable” headlines went viral in early 2026, and he turned 44 that June.
His age matters to fans because they’ve watched him grow up on camera. He was around 30 when Vanderpump Rules premiered on Bravo in 2013, playing the goofy, lovable bartender at SUR. More than a decade later, he’s a divorced business owner with a podcast and a long-term partner.
That gap is exactly why age keeps coming up in searches. Viewers compare the young SUR bartender with the man posting relaxed walks with his dogs on Instagram Stories. From following reality TV careers for years, I’ve noticed that age questions spike whenever a star’s look changes, and Schwartz is a perfect example.
The “Unrecognizable” Headlines and Tom Schwartz’s Response
In March 2026, a Daily Mail article ran photos of Schwartz looking scruffy and tired, with a headline calling him “unrecognizable.” One frowning photo spread fast, and the online reaction ranged from concern to cruel jokes about his looks.
Schwartz pushed back with humor. He posted a screenshot of the coverage and called it ageist clickbait, noting that anyone snapped at a bad angle can look rough. He didn’t attack the photographer or play the victim. His khush-mizaji approach turned a negative story into a moment fans actually liked.
Ariana and Katie Join In
Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney, who run the LA sandwich shop Something About Her together, joined the mazaaq. A teasing “You better sleep with one eye open” line made the rounds as a playful dhamki aimed at the outlet, not at Schwartz.
The bigger lesson here is about how reality stars are judged. Fans who met him at 25-ish in SUR clips expect that same polished image forever. Schwartz’s rawaiya showed that his reputation for being easygoing still holds, and that criticism of normal aging rarely sticks when the person laughs it off.
Tom Schwartz’s Girlfriend: Who Is Tom Schwartz Dating?
Tom Schwartz is dating Kiana Carroll, a model he started seeing in 2025. Their first date was a simple bar date, and within kuch mahine they were sharing photos as an official couple. As of October 2026, they’re still together.
Kiana keeps a lower profile than most Bravo partners. She doesn’t chase screen time, and that suits Schwartz’s current low-key lifestyle. Fans often describe them as an easy, fun pairing rather than a dramatic one.
Their First Anniversary
The couple celebrated their pehli anniversary on September 10 and 11, 2026. Schwartz planned a surprise overnight staycation at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the iconic pink palace. The room had chocolates, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a handwritten note waiting for her.
They spent the day by the pool and ended with a sushi dinner. Both shared clips on IG Stories, including Boomerang videos, plus a sweet Instagram post with photos from the trip. For a guy whose past relationship played out on camera, this felt refreshingly private and personal.
What They’ve Said About Each Other
On a podcast episode together, Schwartz admitted he can be avoidant and carries a fear of abandonment. Kiana joked that she can be an “ice princess” and a bit of a control freak. She also talked about a breakup from her college years and meeting his parents.
That honesty about darr and insecurity is rare. In my experience, couples who talk openly about their flaws early tend to last longer than those who only post highlight reels. It’s one reason fans root for them.
Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz: Their Friendship
Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz are longtime Vanderpump Rules castmates and friends. Lala joined the show in its fourth season, and the two built a friendly, teasing dynamic over the years. There has never been a confirmed romance between them.
Fans search “Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz” because they shared many group scenes, trips, and reunion moments. Lala is known for blunt opinions, and she has both defended Schwartz and called him out when she felt he was being too passive with friends.
During Scandoval, Lala was one of the loudest voices against Tom Sandoval. Schwartz, caught in the middle, faced questions from her and others about what he knew. Their friendship survived, though, and she has generally treated him as the softer of the two Toms.
Schwartz & Sandy’s and TomTom: The Rise and Sale of the Bars
Schwartz’s bars were central to his brand and to VPR storylines. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Bar | Opened | Partners | Schwartz’s Role | What Happened |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TomTom | 2018 | Lisa Vanderpump, Ken Todd, Tom Sandoval | Minority stake (about 5%) | His hissa ended with a sale |
| Schwartz & Sandy’s | 2022 | Tom Sandoval | Co-owner | Bechi gayi after financial strain |
TomTom
TomTom gave the two Toms a real hospitality foothold under Lisa Vanderpump’s brand. Schwartz’s share was small, but filming there made the bar a fan stop. Selling his stake marked a clear break from that chapter.
Schwartz & Sandy’s
Schwartz & Sandy’s opened with colorful lighting, a big clock as a design touch, and fun menu items like lobster corn dogs and Malort half-shots. After Scandoval, the bar received hate mail, dhamki bhare voicemails, and angry DMs. Review ratings swung wildly, with some pages dropping to around 2.2 stars while others stayed near 4.6.
Schwartz has said he was blindsided by how much anger landed on the business and that it felt close to bankrupt at times. He discussed the stress on The Valley After Show, and the eventual sale closed the LA era. He has joked about a “Schwartz & Sandy’s 2.0,” but only “for now” as an idea.
A New Bar in Minnesota?
Schwartz has scouted spots near White Bear Lake and West St. Paul, including an old bank building. Names like Schwartz’s Anchor Bar have been floated. He calls it a possible renaissance for his restaurant career, closer to his roots and far from LA drama.
Tom Schwartz Net Worth
Tom Schwartz’s net worth is estimated in the low millions, though reported figures vary widely. Most of it came from his years on Bravo, when VPR was one of the network’s biggest shows.
His main income sources:
- TV salaries from Vanderpump Rules, Winter House, and The Valley
- Bar stakes in TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy’s, including sale proceeds
- Podcast revenue from Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz
- Sponsored posts and brand deals on Instagram
Schwartz has been honest that bars weren’t a reliable money source. He called the restaurant business an all-consuming nightmare during the worst stretch. His finances now lean more on media work than hospitality.
Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval: The Friendship After Scandoval
Schwartz and Sandoval were once inseparable, known simply as “the Toms.” They were roommates, qareebi dost, and partners in a shared business. Scandoval in March 2023 tested all of it.
Schwartz knew about Sandoval’s affair with Raquel Leviss before it became public. Keeping that raaz made fans angry at him too. He later said the fallout gave him an identity crisis, because so much of his public image was tied to Sandoval.
The Break and the Reset
Financial pressure, public anger, and his own naraazgi led to a break between them. Schwartz described moments of shadeed gussa toward his friend but never fully walked away, often calling Sandoval a bhai.
They later appeared together on Celebrity Weakest Link, playing for charity with a $50k prize. More recently, they were spotted at the Smoke House Restaurant in Burbank over dirty martinis and shrimp cocktail. Their dosti is quieter now, but it’s still there.
Katie Maloney and Life After Divorce
Schwartz married Katie Maloney in 2016 after years of on-screen ups and downs. They split in 2022, and the divorce was finalized in 2023. Their breakup stayed surprisingly respectful by reality TV standards.
The change hit his lifestyle hard. He went from a shared 4-bed, 5-bath ghar to a chhota apartment, paying kiraya on his own. He admitted that swallowing his pride during that move was tough.
Their dogs, including Butter and Gordo, were part of the transition, and both stayed involved in their lives. Katie has since built her own business with Ariana at Something About Her, and Schwartz has openly supported his ex-wife’s success.
Minnesota Roots and Early Life
Schwartz grew up in Woodbury, Minnesota, in the Twin Cities area. At Woodbury High, he played sports and served as a team captain. He often mentions childhood favorites like Cossetta’s pizza, the Mall of America, and summers at a family lake cabin.
His family is blended. His parents, Jeff and Laura, both had pehli families, which gave him half-sisters along with his immediate family, including his sister Sarah. He has spoken warmly about how close they remain.
At 18 saal, he left Minnesota for Florida and enrolled at Florida State University. That move was the start of a bigger khwab, one that eventually pulled him to California.
Moving to LA and Joining SUR
After college in Florida, Schwartz headed to LA in a 2003 Honda Civic with little more than hope. He found a kamra through a Craigslist roommate ad, took acting classes, and booked a few commercials.
He met Tom Sandoval during this period, and they quickly bonded. Schwartz also worked a job with a distributor before landing at SUR, where he met Jax Taylor, Kristen Doute, and the future cast.
He later described himself as “an aspiring bartender under the guise of an aspiring actor.” That line captures his early years well. The bar job, not acting, became his path to fame when Bravo cameras arrived.
Filming VPR and Cast Friendships
Vanderpump Rules turned SUR’s staff into stars. Schwartz became the group’s peacemaker, often stuck between friends during fights. Viewers loved him because he rarely seemed fake.
He later joined Winter House, which showed a flirtier, single side of him. Over time, he said living with cameras, cameramen, and mics blurred the line between the show and asal zindagi. Friendships in the cast developed darar, especially after Scandoval.
Today the group is scattered, but Schwartz keeps a few dost close. He says the best moments on camera were genuine, even if the drama took a toll.
What Tom Schwartz Says About Andy Cohen
Schwartz admits he still gets starstruck around Andy Cohen. He has described Cohen as formidable and intimidating when reunion questions get tough.
Off camera, though, he calls Cohen kind and gracious. That balance is why many Bravo stars respect him even after a hard grilling.
Detox Retox With Tom Schwartz Podcast
Detox Retox with Tom Schwartz is his podcast, covering wellness, nightlife recovery, relationships, and life after reality TV. It shows a calmer, more reflective Schwartz than fans saw on VPR.
He records with guests and sometimes solo. The anniversary episode with Kiana stands out as one of his most personal, giving listeners a rare look at their relationship.
Tom Schwartz’s Future Plans
Schwartz’s next move points toward the Twin Cities. He has talked about signing a lease on a bar spot and possibly running one or maybe two locations with his naam on them.
He’s also open to acting again, wants steadier finances, and has hinted at shaadi with Kiana someday. Keeping his walid ki yaad close, he calls his life a “life lottery” he doesn’t want to waste.
FAQs
Who is Tom Schwartz dating in 2026?
Tom Schwartz is dating model Kiana Carroll. The couple marked one year together in September 2026 and often appear together on social media and his podcast.
Is Tom Schwartz on Vanderpump Rules anymore?
The original VPR cast stopped filming after the show paused following its 11th season. Schwartz has since appeared on Bravo’s spin-off The Valley.
Did Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz ever date?
No. Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz have only been castmates and friends. Their teasing chemistry on the show sparked fan curiosity, but there was never a romance.
Where is Tom Schwartz from?
Tom Schwartz is from Woodbury, Minnesota. He moved to Florida for college and later to Los Angeles, where he started working at SUR.
Does Tom Schwartz have kids?
No, Tom Schwartz doesn’t have children. He has spoken about possibly starting a family in the future.
Is Tom Schwartz still friends with Tom Sandoval?
Yes, though their bond is less intense than before Scandoval. They’ve reconnected socially and still refer to each other as brothers.
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