Perhaps I should have picked up on it after week one of Love Island USA season 6, but between following all the mesmerizing ups and downs of my favorite couple Kordell and Serena, the spitfire commentary from Leah and hoping Kenny was finally the right match for JaNa, I was simply distracted.
However, as the dramatic movie night got underway, exposing the dirty deeds of Casa Amor and beyond, it finally hit me. With every cringeworthy thing shown of Aaron's time away from the villa, it's clear that Aaron's bond with Rob is reminiscent of the friendship between Vanderpump Rules' stars Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz.
Just saying that I can't help but feel a little sorry for host Ariana Madix, who was probably hoping her role on Love Island USA would get her far away from reminders of Sandoval and the infamous Scandoval. But now she finds herself looking at younger versions of her ex and his best friend.
To be fair, there are some striking differences between the duos of Aaron/Rob and Sandoval/Schwartz. For starters, the former may be in quite the bromance, but they've not known each other nearly as long as Sandoval and Schwartz. Plus, neither Rob nor Aaron has done anything to grab national headlines or the attention of legendary television shows, but Aaron's continued gaslighting of Kaylor may soon put him in that realm.
What I find so eerily similar between the friendships is the unique ability all four men have for covering and defending their respective bestie. As Rob sat in the villa and watched a video clip of Leah ripping into him after he prepared to dump her for Andrea, Aaron immediately became protective, blasting Leah for her choice of words. Rob was hurt by Leah's commentary, and Aaron felt the need to be his hero of sorts. Keep in mind, as Serena aptly points out in the following clip, Aaron has watched Kaylor cry buckets full of tears and is not nearly as attentive to her feelings.
serena was so real for clocking aaron's protectiveness over rob versus his extreme LACK of protectiveness over kaylor #loveislandusa pic.twitter.com/YTGntcyV2XJuly 10, 2024
Vanderpump Rules fans know that Schwartz has stepped up to protect Sandoval on countless occasions against criticisms and attacks. But when it came to defending his wife at the time, Katie, against harsh words, he largely let her fend off insults by herself.
Additionally, all four men love covering for their partner in crime. Rob knew from the moment the guys returned to the villa that Aaron was not being completely truthful with Kaylor about all the things he did in Casa Amor. Yet, he let Aaron continue to lie to Kaylor, even though he considers Kaylor to be a friend as well.
Similarly, as details about Scandoval began to come to the surface, it was revealed that Schwartz knew about Sandoval cheating on Ariana for months, but remained quiet. Schwartz considered Ariana a dear friend, even having her as a groomswoman at his wedding. But he just let Ariana continue to think her relationship with Sandoval was fine.
I'm not saying Aaron, Rob, Sandoval and Schwartz are bad people. They may have made some cringeworthy mistakes, but that doesn't make them horrible. What I am saying, is the resemblances between the two respective friendships are rather uncanny. I'm not the only person who thinks so either. There are Instagram posts and TikTok videos showing viewers are in agreement. Also, check out just a few comments I found from fans.
This season is giving VPR. Maybe because Ariana is the host or aaron and rob are just sandoval and schrawtz. I never really witnessed men having a whole lot of audacity when defending their friends but it is crickets when it comes to they girlfriends until this season LI pic.twitter.com/ODAsNoyL4UJuly 10, 2024
ROB AND AARON ARE SANDOVAL AND SCHWARTZ DONT @ MEJuly 10, 2024
I just know Ariana is getting war flashbacks of Sandoval & Schwartz every single time Rob & Aaron open their mouths to defend each other on #loveislandusaJuly 9, 2024
Rob and Aaron really are the Love Island USA equivalent to Sandoval and Schwartz on VPR. It’s getting uncanny. 😭🥴 https://t.co/lt90OSUQxLJuly 10, 2024
New episodes of Love Island USA air on Peacock every day but Wednesdays.
