Tom Sandoval’s appearance on the reality competition show, The Traitors, has generated considerable buzz, not for his strategic gameplay, but for a more mundane reason: excessive perspiration. A viral video clip showcasing Sandoval sporting prominent underarm sweat stains during the show sparked online mockery and commentary, prompting the reality star to address the situation directly. In an Instagram story, Sandoval acknowledged the unflattering footage, admitting he "looked rough" and "felt like s—." He attributed his less-than-stellar appearance to a grueling travel itinerary, which included an eight-hour layover that he believed compromised his immune system. This, he explained, led to a cascade of health issues, including a stye, canker sores, and a sore throat. To compound his woes, the airline misplaced his luggage, leaving him at the mercy of the show’s wardrobe department.
While praising the wardrobe team’s efforts, Sandoval revealed the source of his profuse sweating: a particularly thick wool sweater provided to him on the day of filming. He maintained that the combination of the sweater’s heavy material and the warm indoor environment of the Scottish castle where the show was filmed resulted in the unfortunate perspiration. Sandoval concluded his explanation by acknowledging the humor of the situation, stating he could now laugh at it along with everyone else. This incident, however, is just one piece of the puzzle that is Sandoval’s controversial Traitors experience.
Beyond the sweating saga, Sandoval’s time on The Traitors has been marked by conflict and accusations. His tumultuous past, particularly the highly publicized cheating scandal that rocked the Vanderpump Rules universe, was not overlooked by host Alan Cumming, who subtly referenced the controversy during the show’s premiere. Cumming’s pointed remark, “Would you feel I’d betrayed you, Tom. Doesn’t feel so good, does it?” set the stage for Sandoval’s tense interactions with his fellow contestants. His gameplay has been met with skepticism, particularly by castmates like Chrishell Stause and Wells Adams.
Adams, reflecting on the show, expressed his regret at not using Sandoval’s perspiration as a telltale sign of his potential treachery. He humorously remarked that Sandoval’s sweating was so profuse it resembled "two faucets running at full steam." Had he noticed the excessive perspiration during filming, Adams mused, he might have deduced Sandoval’s role as a "Traitor" and avoided his early elimination. Stause also weighed in on the sweating incident, attributing it to Sandoval’s potential overconsumption of sugary drinks. However, her criticism of Sandoval extended beyond his perspiration. She dismissed his gameplay as "terrible," citing his baseless accusation of her being a "Traitor" as evidence of his poor strategic thinking.
The central conflict between Stause and Sandoval revolves around an accusation made during the show’s three-episode premiere. Sandoval, without any apparent justification, pointed the finger at Stause, claiming she was a "Traitor." This accusation, Stause argues, was not a strategic move but a personal attack. She believes Sandoval’s blatant and unfounded accusation stemmed from personal animosity rather than genuine suspicion. In her view, Sandoval’s attempt to justify his actions as gameplay is disingenuous. She maintains that his accusation felt personal and irrevocably damaged their relationship.
Stause further contends that Sandoval’s overly assertive and inaccurate accusations inadvertently helped her in the game. His pronouncements, she posits, became so unreliable that other contestants began to discount them. Therefore, when Sandoval accused her of being a "Traitor," it actually reinforced the perception of her innocence. The irony, she notes, is that Sandoval’s attempt to sabotage her game ultimately backfired, strengthening her position within the group. This incident encapsulates the broader dynamic of Sandoval’s Traitors experience: a combination of unfortunate circumstances, questionable decisions, and interpersonal conflicts that have made him a focal point of the season. His profuse sweating, while initially a source of amusement, has become a symbol of his overall struggles on the show.
