Tom Sandoval apologizes for making 'inappropriate and ignorant' comparisons of himself to George Floyd and O.J. Simpson

Tom Sandoval has quickly apologized after a cringe-worthy comment comparing his cheating scandal with the O.J. Simpson murder case and the death of George Floyd.

The 40-year-old reality star was profiled by the New York Times Magazine, where he spoke about why 'Scandoval' - him cheating on longtime girlfriend Ariana Madix with their mutual friend Rachel Leviss - became so widely discussed.

'I’m not a pop-culture historian really, but I witnessed the O.J. Simpson thing and George Floyd and all these big things, which is really weird to compare this to that, I think, but do you think in a weird way it’s a little bit the same?'

The Vanderpump Rules star's publicist released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, addressing the controversial comments.

'My intentions behind the comments I made in New York Times Magazine were to explain the level of national media attention my affair received. The comparison was inappropriate and ignorant. I'm incredibly sorry and embarrassed,' the statement read.

Tom Sandoval has quickly apologized after a cringe-worthy comment comparing his cheating scandal with the O.J. Simpson murder case and the death of George Floyd

'I’m not a pop-culture historian really, but I witnessed the O.J. Simpson thing and George Floyd and all these big things, which is really weird to compare this to that, I think, but do you think in a weird way it’s a little bit the same?'

The Vanderpump Rules star's publicist released a statement on Wednesday afternoon, addressing the controversial comments

'My intentions behind the comments I made in New York Times Magazine were to explain the level of national media attention my affair received. The comparison was inappropriate and ignorant. I'm incredibly sorry and embarrassed,' the statement read

The interviewer attempted to add more context to Sandoval's controversial quote, stating, ''I think I knew what he meant. He was trying to express the oddity of becoming the symbolic center of a nationwide discussion and a major news story.' 

'What he communicated instead was something more honest, which is just how much the experience had made him lose perspective,' the interviewer added.

Before the story was published, Bravo, which airs his hit reality series Vanderpump Rules, apparently caught wind of Sandoval's comments.

The interviewer wrote, 'A Bravo publicist rang me late on a Friday. Some of what Sandoval had said had gotten back to Bravo, and everyone was concerned. What was it that he said about O.J. Simpson and George Floyd exactly?'

George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed by white Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin after the officer kneeled on his neck for nine and a half minutes.

Floyd was being detained on the street by the officers because he was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a local store.

The entire altercation was captured on video and his death sparked a firestorm of protests around the world.

O.J. Simpson was arrested for the murder of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her lover Ron Goldman, though he was found not guilty during what was called the 'Trial of the Century.'

The interviewer attempted to add more context to Sandoval's controversial quote, stating, ''I think I knew what he meant. He was trying to express the oddity of becoming the symbolic center of a nationwide discussion and a major news story'

George Floyd, a 46-year-old Black man, was killed by white Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin after the officer kneeled on his neck for nine and a half minutes

O.J. Simpson was arrested for the murder of his wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her lover Ron Goldman, though he was found not guilty during what was called the 'Trial of the Century'

Sandoval, on the other hand, had an affair with one of his Vanderpump Rules castmates Leviss, after dating Madix for a decade

The reality star added in the interview, 'I feel like I got more hate than Danny Masterson, and he’s a convicted rapist'

Sandoval, on the other hand, had an affair with one of his Vanderpump Rules castmates Leviss, after dating Madix for a decade.

The reality star added in the interview, 'I feel like I got more hate than Danny Masterson, and he’s a convicted rapist.'

After Madix broke up with him following the affair, Leviss checked herself into a mental health facility, and hasn't been in contact with Sandoval since June.

Sandoval added in the interview that he had hoped to speak with her at some point after she returned from the mental health facility, even trying to speak with Leviss through her publicist, to no avail.

'She never even gave me any closure. It was really hard. It still messes with me,' Sandoval admitted. 

He also added that, 'The scandal has made the show so big, it’s kind of cool and crazy,' he said. 'Even though it’s negative and at my expense.'

Bravo announced shortly after the Season 11 premiere that the episode drew in 3.2 million total viewers across all platforms.

The total was a staggering 68% jump from the Season 10 premiere, with Bravo also announcing a Vanderpump Rules spin-off including five couples - Jax Taylor & Brittany Cartwright, Kristen Doute & Luke Broderick, Danny & Nia Booko, Jesse & Michelle Lally, and Jason & Janet Caperna.