Vanderpump Rules’ Tom Schwartz and his rumored new girlfriend Jo Wenberg walk their dogs in LA

Vanderpump Rules star Tom Schwartz and his rumored new girlfriend Jo Wenberg continued to fuel romance rumors as they were seen outside his place on Thursday.

As the pair enjoyed a morning walk together, the reality star, 40 and hairstylist, 35, were seen chatting away on the sidewalk in Los Angeles, California.

For their laid-back outing, he sported a black hoodie, light grey shorts and a pair of beige sneakers. 

He appeared every inch the doting dog dad as he held onto the leashes of his beloved pups, Butter and Gordo VonFriendenheimer.

Wenberg cut a casual figure in a beanie, shorts and a black jacket, which kept her warm 

Later, after putting down her tote bag and personal items, she slipped into a cozy sweatshirt, patterned shorts and black and white striped slides. 

On a recent episode of Vanderpump Rules, Schwartz said he stayed up until 4 a.m. ‘hanging out’ with Wenberg, but clarified that they did not have sex.

He has since told Us Weekly that ‘Jo is a badass hairstylist’ and called her a ‘beautiful soul’ but insisted their relationship was strictly platonic.

‘I just got out of a 12-year relationship. I cannot be in a committed — I can’t dive back into another relationship,’ added the TV personality.

‘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.’

Last year, he announced the end of his marriage to Maloney on Instagram with a heartbreaking post. 

‘Katie & I are separating. I’m not quite ready to use the “D” word because it’s too painful. Yes my heartaches but I’ll be ok. Not looking to evoke any sympathy here. I’m not the victim. Not gonna write too sad a song,’ penned the restaurateur. 

He continued: ‘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.’ 

Moments later, Maloney shared her own statement to Instagram announcing that she and Schwartz were ‘ending our marriage’ and that the ‘ending is not met with resentment or animosity, no sides to choose.’ 

The couple, who have appeared on Vanderpump Rules as a couple since the show’s inception in 2013, got married in 2019. They’d originally wed in 2016 but later found out the wedding was illegitimate due to misfiled paperwork. 

Schwartz’s post began with him expressing how much it ‘sucks’ that he and Maloney will not be continuing their lives as a couple.

‘Well this sucks. How am I supposed to capture 12 years of love in a f***in canned Instagram caption. What picture am I supposed to use? Is there a go-to break up font?

He went on to ‘clear the air on some rumors floating around’ by confirming their separation and stressing he respects Maloney’s ‘decision’ to end the relationship.

‘After nine years on a reality TV-show it feels a little tone def to say ‘please respect our privacy’ (especially while posting this) so instead I’ll ask to please be kind.

‘I don’t fault you for any snap judgement. If I was watching us on VPR for the last 9 years I’d be making them too.’

Schwartz and Maloney’s relationship has played out on Vanderpump Rules, including accusations of cheating made against Schwartz during season three of the reality series in 2016.

‘Perception gets skewed [because] of seeing snippets of our lives on the show, but I am telling you we had some of the most blissful, romantic, fun times humanly 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.’

Schwartz said that although it’s ‘hard not to be feel like a statistic’ for being ‘another failed marriage,’ he does not look at his relationship with Maloney as a ‘failure.’

‘As sad as I am, I am happy to say there is no anger or bitterness. Zero. Still so much love for you @musickillskate and your family,’ he wrote, tagging Maloney’s Instagram.

‘I don’t think we were ever a model couple. Maybe we are model divorcees. A dubious title I suppose. Also I am aware of tragedies taking place in the world right now. I have perspective here. I’ll be fine.

‘So, I will shut up now and say it one last time, love you Bub. Always & forever you’ll be in my heart. On my a**? Maybe not so much,’ concluded Schwartz.

Along with his length text post, the TomTom Restaurant & Bar owner included a number of his favorite snapshots of Maloney, as well as several shots of the couple together through the years.

For Maloney’s statement, the 35-year-old reality star admitted to her followers that she ‘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,’ she wrote.

‘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 for all the kind words and support,’ she concluded.

Shortly after posting, Schwartz and Maloney were flooded with love and support from the cast of Vanderpump Rules, past and present, in the comment sections of their posts.

Kristen Doute, who’d famously set the couple up in 2011, wrote, ‘love you both forever [HEART EMOJI]’

James Kennedy and Raquel Leviss, who announced their own split after five years together in January, sent their ‘love’ to Schwartz in the comments.

Ariana Madix, who is romantically linked to Schwartz’s business partner Tom Sandoval, commented that she loves him and Maloney ‘so much.’

The couple’s breakup confirmation comes after they were captured attending the same party in West Hollywood over the weekend in celebration of TV producer/writer Phoebe Fisher’s birthday.

It was held at Schwartz’s TomTom Bar & Restaurant. Though they were both in attendance, Schwartz and Maloney were not pictured together.

In photos from the event, Schwartz was captured wearing his wedding band as he sipped on a drink a chatted with the birthday girl and her boyfriend Lukas Gage.

Maloney’s hands were obscured in both of the snaps Fisher shared of her to Instagram, so it’s unclear if she was wearing hers.

Speculation regarding the end of the couple’s marriage came after Maloney uploaded a ringless photo of herself to Instagram on Friday, March 11.

The photo was taken during a dinner date at the celeb-loved Beverly Hills Hotel with Schroeder, 33. Maloney posed with her left hand pressed against her head.

Fans were quick to notice that the reality star was without her wedding ring and flooded the comment section with concern.

‘So is it true Katie and Tom are getting a divorce,’ commented a worried fan, along with a teary-eyed emoji. 

‘no [RING EMOJI]?! Whatever is going on I hope you are good,’ wrote one Instagram user.

Another commented: ‘No ring…when are you going to make a statement (verbal that is) because that last few posts shows no ring.’ 

Some of Maloney’s followers speculated that her ‘hand placement’ in the photo was ‘on purpose’ and that there’s nothing to worry about regarding the pair’s relationship.

‘I think the hand placement is on purpose. I think she and Tom are fine and people are being ridiculous because she had her ring off,’ wrote one fan, followed by two eye-rolling emojis.

Schwartz last appeared on Maloney’s Instagram feed in a post uploaded on New Year’s Eve, with the singer posing beside her man in front of a staircase. 

She noted in the caption that she was ‘feeling really hopeful’ for what the year has in store. She also wrote that 2021 brought ‘some pretty amazing things into my life,’ as well as ‘some really difficult moments.’

The most recent post on Schwartz’s Instagram was a photo of himself and Maloney shared on February 4.

‘It’s Friday, I’m in love,’ captioned the restaurateur, quoting a song by the band The Cure. 

Schwartz and Maloney began dating in 2011 after being introduced by pal Kristen Doute. Two years later, their romance would be televised on Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules. 

Viewers were quickly intrigued by the pair’s relationship, including their explosive arguments and allegations of cheating that sprung up during the show’s third season.

The couple tied the knot in August 2016. Unfortunately, some misfiling of paperwork made their marriage illegitimate.

They married officially in 2019. The ceremony was officiated by Maloney’s bestie Stassi Schroeder and Schwartz’ business partner Tom Sandoval.

In season nine, which premiered in late 2021, Schwartz revealed that he and Maloney were actively trying to make a baby together during the pandemic.

‘During quarantine, Katie and I decided to really put a concerted effort into trying to make a baby,’ he revealed. ‘There was a two-month window in which we were really working on it.’ 

But by January 2022, Maloney confirmed to Page Six that they were no longer ‘actively trying’ to conceive.