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The much-anticipated grand opening extravaganza of Lisa Vanderpump‘s latest food venture, Wolf, in Scottsdale, Arizona, grabbed instant headlines for a reason no one had thought of. The establishment which is now part of Vanderpump’s ever-increasing restaurant empire was set up to the end of a countdown with all kinds of celebrations around it. But soon the online conversations changed to one of the bartenders who had such a strong resemblance to ‘Vanderpump Rules’ star Tom Sandoval that he became the viral star of the evening.
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Scottsdale’s Wolf by Vanderpump was opened to the world through the restaurant’s Instagram account posting, ‘Opening Night!!! Welcome to WOLF!’ The post was accompanied by a video that showed the vivacious last moments before the opening, including the staff’s countdown. Yet, amidst the glamor and excitement, it was the bartender’s familiar face that drew the internet’s attention.
The comments became double-takes instantly. One user said, ‘That first bartender looks so much like Sandoval omg.’ This comment opened up the floodgates for people to agree and to express their amazement through disbelief. A few even remarked that, ‘We have a tom 2.0’ and ‘First guy looks like Sandoval.’ The likeness was so incredible that it caused one viewer to question his very own perception as he wrote, ‘Why did I think this was a Vanderpump Rules parody after seeing Sandovals double.’
The duplication of features even gave way to the creation of new names and to the extent of being a life of its own. One commentator called the lookalike ‘Temu tom!!!!’- a pun on the discount online retailer- meaning the celebrity in question is now available at a discount price. A user had a humorous reply, ‘Did anybody feel a sudden feeling of dread when they saw the first bartender? Sandoval is now cloning himself. Oh my goodness!’ So many comments were made around the issue that they nearly overshadowed the opening of the restaurant.
The talk of the double was going on, but some followers were expressing the real excitement for the new restaurant in Arizona. A fan exclaimed, ‘Ahhh lucky Arizona!!! Wolf in Tahoe is the most beautiful restaurant I’ve ever been to,’ pointing to the already existing Wolf restaurant in Lake Tahoe. A local fan could not contain her excitement, ‘Soooooo excited! I live in Phoenix and I’m a big bravo fan! I will be there soon!’ The first patrons were very positive about the happening, one describing the vibe as ‘great’ and the food as ‘first-rate,’ and sharing their happiness that Lisa Vanderpump had in fact come to Scottsdale.
Nonetheless, not every comment was centered on either the opening or the bartender’s famous face. The post also attracted off-topic remarks, such as one person ranting about an episode of Vanderpump’s other show where an animal welfare issue was discussed, and the person stated they were very upset. This signifies the significant and occasionally very intense engagement that Vanderpump’s brand gets from its supporters. Her commitment to animal welfare is well-known.
The opening of Wolf in Scottsdale is a monumental advancement for Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurant business and it is indeed her signature that she is passing on to the new market. However, in the 21st century, a star-studded event with social media could mean that even a perfectly organized event might get disrupted by a spontaneous, viral incident. The uncanny resemblance of one of the employees to a pivotal character in her very own television world was not only an unpredicted but also a somewhat ironic marketing strategy. It made the division somewhat less pronounced between the tranquil atmosphere of Vanderpump’s restaurants and the captivating reality that she was part of. Her television world continues to evolve.
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Finally, the first event was successful, generating hype not only because of the tasty food but also through an incident of pure, unintentional pop culture merging. Customers might come for the food, for the vibe, or for a chance to see the Sandoval lookalike in real life; but one thing is sure, Wolf has made its mark in Scottsdale. The restaurant is open now, ready to serve not just the drinks and the food, but also the conversations that come with a sprinkle of intrigue from Bravo. Her husband Ken Todd is often part of her ventures, and the brand’s success is a family affair. Vanderpump’s own life often provides its own charming moments.
