Vanderpump Rules star Tom Schwartz takes full blame for split with Katie Maloney after 12 years

Tom Schwartz hasn’t tried to pass the buck when it comes to the end of his relationship with Katie Maloney. 

The Vanderpump Rules star, 39, talked to a celebrity photographer about the end of his marriage outside of a Home Depot in Los Angeles on Wednesday according to E! News. 

He wore a black jacket that read ‘Very Much Alive’ on the front, a pair of gray shorts and sunglasses to protect his eyes from the harsh California sun.  

When asked how he was doing after the breakup, the Minnesota native replied, ‘Of course I’m sad, but, you know, we still love each other very much.’ 

Schwartz then revealed he’s been busy preparing for the opening of the new bar he will co-run with co-star Tom Sandoval. 

The photographer asked if Sandoval had anything to do with the couple’s breakup – a notion Schwartz immediately shot down. 

‘No, no that’s all on me,’ he said. ‘I wish I had a scapegoat, but that’s all on me.’ 

He tried to elaborate on the reasons behind the breakup but only managed to say, ‘It’s complicated, obviously. But nothing in particular. You know, life, you know. It’s complicated.’ 

Regarding his future when it comes to Vanderpump Rules, Schwartz said ‘I don’t know what the future of the show holds. I’m always optimistic, eternally. And yeah, I’m doing OK. I’m staying busy.’

Schwartz isn’t the only member of the couple who is struggling with the breakup. Maloney addressed the split in an episode of her podcast You’re Going to Love Me which came out on Friday. 

‘I’m sure you are all aware now that Tom and I have announced via Instagram that we are ending our marriage,’ she said at the beginning of the show. ‘As I said, it is something that I never thought I would have to announce but here we are.’  

She explained that the decision was not an abrupt or impulsive one, and the pair had been having discussions about their future together for a while. 

‘It’s been a little bit of time now, a little over a month that we’ve been separated,’ she admitted. ‘It’s been emotional, for sure. It’s also been, in ways, peaceful and loving and the transition so far is going really well. We do still live together in our house and we’re trying to navigate these steps together and work on becoming friends in that sense.

‘There wasn’t some kind of crazy incident that happened, there wasn’t some crazy fight that resulted in this. It was my decision, which was probably the hardest and most painful decision I’ve ever had to make.’ 

Katie went on to explain what went wrong by saying that, ‘the best and only way I can describe it is just like waking up inside of my life and having this voice that just became louder and louder and just events in my life and in our relationship coming into focus and feeling the weight of them on me and I wanted to deny them, I wanted to push them out of my head because I love Tom and we built a life together and he’s my person and I wanted to be with him forever. But ultimately, I just wasn’t happy.’   

The two previously announced the news on Tuesday in a pair of Instagram posts. 

Schwartz’s post began with him expressing how much it ‘sucks’ that he and Maloney will not be continuing their lives as a couple. 

‘Well this sucks. How am I supposed to capture 12 years of love in a f***in canned Instagram caption. What picture am I supposed to use? Is there a go-to break up font? 

He went on to ‘clear the air on some rumors floating around’ by confirming their separation and stressing he respects Maloney’s ‘decision’ to end the relationship.

‘After nine years on a reality TV-show it feels a little tone def to say ‘please respect our privacy’ (especially while posting this) so instead I’ll ask to please be kind.

‘I don’t fault you for any snap judgement. If I was watching us on VPR for the last 9 years I’d be making them too.’  

‘Perception gets skewed [because] of seeing snippets of our lives on the show, but I am telling you we had some of the most blissful, romantic, fun times humanly possible over the course of our relationship.

‘I’m talking heaven on earth level joy. She taught me so much about love & being a better partner.’

Schwartz said that although it’s ‘hard not to be feel like a statistic’ for being ‘another failed marriage,’ he does not look at his relationship with Maloney as a ‘failure.’

‘As sad as I am, I am happy to say there is no anger or bitterness. Zero. Still so much love for you @musickillskate and your family,’ he wrote, tagging Maloney’s Instagram.

‘I don’t think we were ever a model couple. Maybe we are model divorcees. A dubious title I suppose. Also I am aware of tragedies taking place in the world right now. I have perspective here. I’ll be fine. 

‘So, I will shut up now and say it one last time, love you Bub. Always & forever you’ll be in my heart. On my a**? Maybe not so much,’ concluded Schwartz.

Along with his length text post, the TomTom Restaurant & Bar owner included a number of his favorite snapshots of Maloney, as well as several shots of the couple together through the years. 

For Maloney’s statement, the 35-year-old reality star admitted to her 1.1 million followers that she ‘never thought I would have to make an announcement like this.

‘But I feel it’s important that I’m open about my life with you. After 12 years on an adventure through life together, Tom and I are ending our marriage,’ she wrote

‘This ending is not met with resentment or animosity, no sides to choose. We have deep admiration for one another that will always remain and we cherish our friendship.

‘Although we may be on different paths we will continue to love and support one another’s happiness. Thank you for all the kind words and support,’ she concluded.

The pair were together for 12 years and officially married for the past two. Fans have been able to watch nearly the entirety of their relationship play out on the small screen.