After 12 years together, including two on-screen weddings, Vanderpump Rules stars Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney have decided to go their separate ways.
On Tuesday night, Schwartz confirmed the sad news in a lengthy statement posted on his Instagram account. “Well this sucks,” the reality TV star began. “How am I supposed to capture 12 years of love in a fuckin canned Instagram caption. What picture am I supposed to use? Is there a go-to break up font?” He added that he wanted to “clear the air on some rumors floating around,” explaining that while he and Maloney are separating, he’s “not quite ready to use the ‘D’ word because it’s too painful. Yes my heart aches but I’ll be ok. Not looking to evoke any sympathy here. I’m not the victim. Not gonna write too sad a song.”
Schwartz went on to say that he “fully respects” his estranged wife’s decision to end their marriage and they’ve “had healthy, productive conversations about it. It would be far sadder if she decided to stay with me whilst not happy.” He also said that he understands how “tone def [sic]” it sounds to ask their fans to respect their privacy after nine years of airing out all of their relationship drama on reality TV. “So instead I’ll ask to please be kind,” he wrote. “I don’t fault you for any snap judgment. If I was watching us on VPR for the last 9 years I’d be making them too. Perception gets skewed bc of seeing snippets of our lives on the show, but I’m telling you we had some of the most blissful, romantic, fun times humanely 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.”
The TomTom co-owner also noted that despite their divorce, he doesn’t see their marriage as a failure and that there’s “no anger or bitterness” between them. “I don’t think we were ever a model couple. Maybe we are model divorcées. A dubious title I suppose…So I’ll shut up now and say it one last time, love you Bub. Always & forever you’ll be in my heart. On my ass? Maybe not so much,” he jokingly concluded, referring to a drunken tattoo he got in her honor.
As for Maloney, she also announced the news on her Instagram account on Tuesday in a much shorter statement, writing, “I 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. 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 all for the kind words and support.”
More Great Stories From Vanity Fair
— Grimes on Music, Mars, and Her Secret New Baby With Elon Musk
— The Vanity Fair Oscar Party Returns: Fill Out Your Ballot and Watch the Livestream on March 27
— Netflix, Drive to Survive, and the New Cult of F1 Fandom
— Allegra Gucci on Her Mother, New Book, and House of Gucci
— Melinda Gates Says Bill Gates’s Work With “Abhorrent” Epstein Led to Divorce
— The Birth of Celebrity Outrage Over Vaccines, Masks, and Mandates
— 29 Killer The Batman–Inspired Items for Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz Fans
— From the Archive: How Intense Loathing Brought Down the Gucci Dynasty
— Sign up for “The Buyline” to receive a curated list of fashion, books, and beauty buys in one weekly newsletter.