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Who Is Jo From ‘Vanderpump Rules’? Her Situationship With Tom Schwartz Ends in Tears
Jo Wenberg found herself smack in the middle of a little Vanderpump Rules drama when she was rumored to be dating Tom Schwartz. During an early 2023 clip from the Bravo show, the TomTom owner revealed that he stayed up until 4 a.m. with Jo, but was that an indication of a spark or just a friendship?
What Does Vanderpump Rules’ Jo Wenberg Do for Work?
Jo is a professional hairstylist who has worked for several television shows and award ceremonies, according to multiple outlets. She is from Los Angeles, where Lisa Vanderpump’s famed restaurant, SUR, is located.
Are Vanderpump Rules’ Jo Wenberg and Tom Schwartz Dating?
During a previously unaired scene from VPR that was filmed in July 2022, Tom’s ex-wife, Katie Maloney, explained to costars Lala Kent and Raquel Leviss how she discovered that Jo and Tom were allegedly roommates at one point.
“I went to Tom’s today to bring the dogs there and, in the bathroom, there’s a toothbrush with lipstick on it and a pile of jewelry,” Katie said during the episode that aired in February 2023. “Like, that the f—k is this s—t? He’s like, ‘It’s Jo’s.’ First of all, Kristen [Doute]’s her best f—king friend. Why isn’t she staying at Kristen’s down the street?”
Although Tom sparked romance rumors with the hairdresser, he quickly clarified that they were just friends.
“Jo is a badass hairstylist. … I think she’s a beautiful soul,” he told Us Weekly in February 2023. “We’re not living together, and we’re not dating either, but she’s just someone who I appreciate on a deep level, and she’s a really cool human being, and we’re just hanging out.”
Tom then doubled down by explaining that he wasn’t ready for a brand-new relationship following his divorce from Katie.
“I just got out of a 12-year relationship. I cannot be in a committed — I can’t dive back into another relationship,” the Schwartz & Sandy’s co-owner insisted. “It wouldn’t be fair to the other person ‘cause I’m kind of consumed with, like, business and my family, and I’m kind of falling in love with myself all over again.”
Despite Tom’s effort to clear the air of any relationship speculation, he and Jo were spotted walking their dogs together in L.A. in early March 2023, according to photos obtained by Daily Mail.
During the part 1 of the VPR season 10 reunion, Andy Cohen asked Tom if he and Jo were ever an item. Though Tom insisted they were never officially together, he noted they had a brief “situationship.”
Jo Wenberg Admitted She Was Hoping for More With Tom Schwartz
During the April 9, 2024, episode of Vanderpump Rules season 11, Jo revealed that she had been harboring hope that she and Tom might eventually get together. Things became awkward when Jo, Tom and a few other friends attended a singles event and Tom dove headfirst into the dating scene, chatting with other single women. Later, in a confessional, Jo admitted that she was hurt by the way Tom acted.
“I was under the impression that why we were here was to support Tom Sandoval. Then when we got here, he was interested in other women. What am I? Chopped liver?” Jo said during her confessional.
She continued, “I know the truth, and the truth is that we are hooking up. We said ‘I love you’ to each other. It bothers me that he doesn’t really want to share this relationship with his friends. I’m tired of feeling like a secret.”
Later in the same episode, Tom addressed the situation with Jo and explained that wasn’t interested in a relationship with her, despite how close they’d grown in their friendship. Hearing that statement caused Jo to ask for a break in their friendship.
“It is so easy. Like, us together would be [so easy]. We would be disgustingly ugly and old and laughing and all those things,” the hairstylist said tearfully. “That is why I need some time because deep down I do think I have feelings for you.”
Jo left Tom’s apartment in tears and said she was going to miss their friendship.
“It is really hard. I just want him to be happy. Massively,” Jo told the cameras in her final confessional of the episode. “He is my favorite person in the world and I don’t care what he says about me. I think the world of him.”
Why Did Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney Break Up?
In March 2022, Tom and Katie announced that they had parted ways after 12 years together.
“Well, this sucks,” Tom captioned an Instagram post at the time. “I’m not the victim. Not gonna write too sad a song. Fully respect Katie’s decision, and we’ve had healthy, productive conversations about it. It would be far sadder if she decided to stay with me whilst not happy.”
The former spouses finalized their divorce in October of that year.
