In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Tom Schwartz, 42, said recently at the season 2 premiere of Tom vs. He opened up on what it was really like to compete on the hit reality show The Traitors. Schwartz couldn’t have been prouder of his bestie Tom Sandoval’s turns and, truly, there’s nothing quite like the happiness of a friend slaying and soaring past unsuspecting competitors. Schwartz himself in fact survived all the way to the final seven, at which point he was “murdered” in the penultimate episode of the series.
Looking back on the experience of being in The Traitors, Schwartz said, “That season turned me into a lifelong fan. He focused on the emotional rollercoaster of the experience, both challenging and rewarding. Allowing people into the most personal parts of your life is scary enough without all this other stuff. “That’s a terrifying thing to do, to expose your heart and soul on a show,” he added.
Schwartz’s admiration extended beyond Sandoval’s gameplay. And Speiser was especially impressed by Sandoval. He was amazing to watch! The entire cast was stellar,” he declared. What a wonderful season indeed! Schwartz’s kind words should not diminish the sense of companionship Schwartz experienced with his fellow competitors.
Along with unpacking his experience on The Traitors, Schwartz gave some insight into the dynamics on The Valley. He called out Jax Taylor’s aggressive behavior towards Brittany Cartwright, indicating a concern for their relationship’s well-being. “My heart is saying loyal, but my head is shouting betrayal,” Schwartz said. He was saying loyalty is certainly a double-edged sword on reality television.
Schwartz said he was proud of Sandoval’s commitment to his portrayal on The Traitors. The thing about Tom is that when he dives in, Schwartz said. He made sure to reinforce his faith in Sandoval’s commitment to the show and to his friends.
Schwartz as you might have guessed, has stayed pretty close with everyone from The Valley, especially Jax, Kristen, and Luke. He’s hung out with Jesse and Jason, which gives us a good look at the bond that has obviously formed between the entire cast. He lauded the ensemble for “removing the filter and going crazy.” This hands-on approach has given rise to some genuine moments across the series.
For fans ready to binge watch all of The Traitors, all seasons are now streaming exclusively on Peacock. Schwartz’s evolution in both shows will have people in awe as they watch Schwartz on his way to conquering reality television.