How Katie Maloney thrived without Tom Schwartz
Before Scandoval changed everything, Vanderpump Rules was rocked by him Katie Maloney questions Tom Schwartz for a divorce. Katie and Schwartz’s 12-year relationship continued on the show, and while their breakup wasn’t entirely shocking, it did create a whole new dynamic. For the first time, fans could see them as singles. As Katie continues to live her best single life on and off screen, it’s clear she made the right choice. Here are some of the many ways she’s doing better without Schwartz.
Happiness looks great on Katie
KatieIt’s always been great, of course. Lisa Vanderpump once remarked that even among SUR’s incredibly good-looking employees, she stood out. But since Schwartz’s divorce, fans can’t stop raving about her shine. Put simply, she looks better than ever. She literally beams with happiness and exudes self-confidence.
Over the years, Katie’s style has been a godsend. Any Pump Rules fan will remember the infamous orange hair she wore in season two. Now she’s rocking the wardrobe of a cool girl out of a ’90s movie, complete with a haircut inspired by Natalie Imbruglia. And she clearly loves her looks, the best accessory of all.
Something about Katie
With Something About Her on the road to success, it’s interesting to recall the origins of the sandwich shop. In Season 9, Katie revealed that opening one with Schwartz was a longtime dream. At the time, of course, her then-husband was too busy getting mugged by Tom Sandoval over Schwartz & Sandy’s. Ariana Madix stepped in and Katie didn’t have to wait for Schwartz anymore.
Opening a business with Ariana was clearly the better move, both for Katie and for the restaurant itself. As we’ve seen time and time again, Schwartz isn’t a great business owner. Kate and Ariana were able to realize their uniquely feminine vision, complete with Paris-inspired decor. And it certainly helped that Scandoval has resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars in merch sales.
Katie has beaten the dating game
As a single girl, Katie entered the dating world with aplomb for the first time since her early twenties. Season 10 showed her and Lala Kent on the prowl, freed from their respective toxic relationships. After years of crushing Schwartz’s self-esteem, it was refreshing to see that Katie was actually enjoying her love life.
This included introducing the group to their double, Satchel, a double of Timothee Chalamet. The young actor realized she was a snag and, unlike Schwartz, actually stood up for her. Unfortunately, the two parted ways as Katie wasn’t ready for another serious relationship any time soon. Understandably so as she’s having the time of her life being single.
#TeamKatie is growing
She didn’t get the same brand deals as Ariana, but Katie was certainly confirmed by Scandoval. Over the course of Season 10, she saw through Rachel “Raquel” Leviss’ fake nice personality and even tried to warn Ariana. Of course, as fans saw in Season 9, she had had Sandoval’s number for a while.
Her ex-husband’s role in the affair made viewers realize that Schwartz is a villain. Katie even said she received apologies from longtime fans. And newbies watching with Scandoval noticed from the jump how awful Schwartz was.
Like business partner Ariana, Katie received support from famous Pump Rules fans. And she’s garnered praise for her snappy one-liners, as well as those utterly satisfying moments when she didn’t give Schwartz any time. Viewers were overwhelmingly on Katie’s side as Rachel, Schwartz and Sandoval targeted her (and her mom!) in the original season 10 finale.
As Season 11 movies, Katie is more popular than ever. She’s garnered praise for seemingly being the only other cast member, aside from Ariana, who doesn’t forgive the Toms.
Tequila Katie no more
Positive changes are a rarity in VPR. But it seems that the husband-child divorce allowed Katie to grow up independently. She still has her tequila Katie moments, like these comments about “Crazy” Jo Wenberg.
But now it’s clear that the anger lyrics and emotional outbursts of previous seasons weren’t just down to tequila. Instead, they were primarily caused by the toxic relationship with a partner who was unrelentingly cruel to her.
When Schwartz, Sandoval and Rachel set their sights on her, it was clear they were expecting the same reaction as usual. When Rachel and Schwartz kissed just to tease her, Katie responded by giving them both the cold shoulder, which was clearly more poignant than any angry text.
They just picked up the pace and desperately tried to pick fights. Remember how Schwartz kept harassing her in Mexico while she was trying to eat dinner? Or how Rachel followed Katie into SUR Alley? Whatever her plan was to make Katie look bad, it totally backfired.
She is free of Schwartz
Katie said so herself in Season 10’s “Secrets Revealed.” After waiting so many years for Schwartz to come to power, she finally took a stand and focused on her own happiness. She doesn’t have to worry about Schwartz’s alleged financial woes. She doesn’t have to put up with Sandoval outside of filming.
Whenever Schwartz hurt her, as he often did in season ten, she could just walk away. When he had the audacity to ask her to cut his armpit hair, she was able to scold him instead. He no longer has power over her.
Tell us: How else is KATIE doing well? HAS YOUR OPINION ABOUT KATIE CHANGED SINCE HER DIVORCE? Do you think she’s better off without black?