It is finally over. Really. After three years of legal headaches, awkward cohabitation stories, and more headlines than a political election, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix have reached a settlement. On January 13, 2026, the news broke that the former couple finally signed off on a deal regarding their $2 million Valley Village home. It marks the definitive end of an era that basically broke the internet back in 2023.
If you’ve been living under a rock, the "Scandoval" wasn't just a breakup. It was a cultural reset for reality TV. But now that the dust has settled, the way people view these two has shifted significantly.
The settlement is "conditional," which is legal-speak for "we have a deal as long as everyone actually does what they promised." They have a court date on February 5 to make it official. If someone flakes? They go to trial on February 17. But for the first time in a long time, it looks like they won’t have to see each other in a courtroom.
The House: Why They Couldn't Just Walk Away
Most people wondered why Ariana didn't just pack her bags and leave the second she found those videos on Tom’s phone. It’s not that simple when you’ve poured your life savings into a 4,400-square-foot investment.
Ariana wanted a "partition by sale." She wanted the court to force a sale so she could get her share and move on. Tom, on the other hand, tried to buy her out for $3.1 million in cash. She said no. To the casual observer, that looked "petty," a word Tom loved to use in interviews. But for Ariana, it was about the principle—and likely the tax implications and future equity. She didn't want a payout from him; she wanted a clean break from the property entirely.
While they fought in court, they were actually living under the same roof for months. Can you imagine?
They used a "go-between" to send texts like "Ariana wants to use the gym at 6:00." It was a cold, calculated coexistence. Ariana eventually moved out in May 2023 and bought a $1.6 million place in the Hollywood Hills, but the legal tie to Tom remained like a ghost she couldn't exorcise.
Where is Tom Sandoval Now?
Honestly, Tom’s path has been... a choice. While the world turned against him, he doubled down on the villain persona. He’s currently leaning into the "bad guy" role on House of Villains Season 3, which he recently called his favorite reality experience yet.
He’s also still touring with his band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras. If you go to a show in 2026, you’re going to see a man who seems largely unbothered by the past. He moved in with his girlfriend, Victoria Lee Robinson, in late 2024. He’s living the rockstar life, or at least the Bravo version of it.
The Career Pivot
- The Band: Still playing cover songs across the country (he recently hit the House of Blues in Cleveland).
- Reality TV: Shifting from the ensemble drama of Vanderpump Rules to competition shows like The Traitors and House of Villains.
- Business: Still tied to Schwartz & Sandy’s, though the "Tom and Tom" brand took a massive hit that it’s still recovering from.
The Ariana Madix Glow-Up is Real
If Tom went for the villain arc, Ariana went for the icon arc. You’ve seen her everywhere. She didn't just survive the breakup; she monetized the hell out of it. And good for her.
She hosted Love Island USA, which saw a massive spike in ratings thanks to her involvement. She did a stint on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago. She even landed a role on the scripted comedy St. Denis Medical as Dr. Emerson. She’s proving she isn't just a "reality star"—she’s a performer.
She’s still with Daniel Wai, the fitness trainer she met shortly after the split. They’ve been doing the long-distance thing between New York and LA for nearly three years now. It seems to work for them. She’s traveling, she’s acting, and she’s finally getting that "generational wealth" she talked about in her Glamour cover story.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Breakup
The biggest misconception? That Ariana "knew" and just didn't care until it became public. The "Miami Girl" rumors from years ago gave people ammunition to say she was complicit in Tom’s behavior.
The reality is more nuanced. Ariana admitted she covered for him in the past because they were a team. She thought they had grown past that. The betrayal with Rachel Leviss was different because it was a close friend, and it happened in their own home while Ariana was grieving the loss of her dog and her grandmother.
There's also the "denial" argument. Tom went on podcasts claiming they had broken up on Valentine’s Day, weeks before she found the phone. Ariana’s side is very different: she says they were in therapy and she was actively trying to fix a relationship she thought was just hit a rough patch.
Actionable Takeaways from the Fallout
Looking at the Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix saga from a 2026 perspective, there are some actual life lessons buried in the tabloid fodder.
- Protect Your Assets: If you’re buying property with a partner you aren't married to, have a cohabitation agreement. The three-year legal battle over their house could have been avoided with a clear contract signed in 2019.
- The Power of the Pivot: Ariana showed that your worst public moment can be a springboard. She didn't stay in the "victim" lane. She took every brand deal (Duracell, Glad, Uber One) and used the momentum to build a career that doesn't rely on a man.
- Grey Rocking Works: In the months they lived together post-split, Ariana practiced "Grey Rocking"—becoming as uninteresting and unresponsive as possible to her ex. It protected her mental health while she navigated the exit.
- Privacy is a Choice: Rachel (Raquel) Leviss eventually sued both Tom and Ariana over privacy violations regarding the videos Ariana found. It’s a reminder that even in a betrayal, legal boundaries regarding digital content are incredibly messy.
The saga of Tom and Ariana is essentially a masterclass in how to—and how not to—handle a public implosion. Tom chose to stay in the fire; Ariana chose to build a skyscraper next to it. With the house settlement finally in motion, they are officially two separate entities. No more "Tom and Ariana." Just two people who used to know each other, moving in very different directions.
To move forward with your own financial or relationship boundaries, ensure you have clear documentation for any shared assets, as "equitable allocation" is a long, expensive road to walk alone.