There’s something rotten in the land of Bravo, and no, we’re not talking about expired goat cheese balls at SUR. We’re talking about the double standards when it comes to how viewers and castmates treat cheating men. Because if you’re still dragging Tom Sandoval through the social media streets (and honestly, who isn’t?), then why is Brock Davies skating by with a slap on the wrist? Let’s be clear: cheating is cheating. And while no one’s saying Sandoval didn’t earn every ounce of backlash he got, it’s time to ask the uncomfortable question—why is Brock Davies getting a pass?
Tom Sandoval got worse treatment for cheating than Brock Davies
Tom literally broke the internet when his months-long affair with Rachel Leviss was exposed during Vanderpump Rules Season 10. Scandoval didn’t just trend. It became a pop culture event. Bravo fans, castmates, and even late-night hosts were frothing at the mouth over his betrayal of Ariana Madix, and honestly? Deserved. He gaslit and he lied. He wore that stupid mustache like it was a personality trait. Worm with a mustache still lives rent-free in my head… But what truly ignited the rage was the emotional fallout for Ariana, who had to live out her heartbreak in front of cameras while Sandoval played the victim in matching band tees. Now, contrast that with what’s happening with Brock.
News of the infidelity hit the Bravo blogosphere like a Big Bang. It wasn’t a slow leak. Scheana Shay outed her husband for a possible PR stunt for her new book. For multiple seasons, rumors had swirled that the former rugby player had cheated. And turns out the rumor mill was spot on. And while the whispers became all-out screams, the response? Crickets compared to the Sandoval dragging. Where’s the outrage? Where’s the coordinated cast takedown? We can’t forget when Sandoval cheated, he did so with another cast member. But when Brock cheats it’s somehow less scandalous because it wasn’t with someone from the friend group? That logic doesn’t track. Betrayal is betrayal, especially when you’ve built your brand on being a changed man and family first.
Brock Davies shouldn’t get off that easy
Brock arrived on Vanderpump Rules with baggage so heavy TSA would’ve flagged it. Viewers learned early on that he had two kids in Australia, he hadn’t seen in years, and unresolved child support issues. Red flags? More like a full parade. But Scheana, ever the romantic, stood by him, defended him, and doubled down with a destination wedding and a baby. So now that Scheana herself has outed her hubby for his scandal is surprising. But even more infuriating is the idea that Brock might be getting a free pass, especially since he’s offered nothing close to accountability. No heartfelt apology. No Instagram statement. Just a few mumbled excuses about being stressed about becoming a father again and not thinking clearly. Oh, did we mention he cheated on the Good as Gold singer while she was pregnant?
It’s the same tired narrative these Bravo men pull out the moment they’re caught. But where Sandoval’s excuses were (rightfully) met with collective eye rolls and memes, Brock’s are being met with a bit more of a forgiving attitude. A side-eye at best. We can’t rewrite history. Brock has always had a shaky foundation on this show. He’s never been a fan favorite, and his role in Scheana’s life has always raised questions. And now with the reports of him stepping out, he should be getting the full Bravo fan tribunal treatment. Not a quiet fade into the background while the cameras move on. If the genders were reversed, if Scheana had been the one allegedly cheating while Brock cried on his podcast, we’d be having a very different conversation.
Scheana Shay is being awfully forgiving
And that’s the problem. The Bravo fandom prides itself on calling out bad behavior, but in this case, it’s been far too quiet. Sandoval deserved the scorched-earth treatment he got. No one’s denying that. But if we’re going to take cheating seriously in the Bravo universe, we need to stop picking and choosing who gets the pitchforks. Brock may not have orchestrated a months-long affair with a castmate, but he allegedly betrayed the woman who’s had his back against all odds—on national television, no less. And that’s not something we should shrug off.
Vanderpump Rules is available to stream on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
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