Tom Sandoval is ready to move on from his past—and he’s doing it on one of the biggest talent stages in the world. The 42-year-old Vanderpump Rules star will be seen auditioning for America’s Got Talent on June 24 with his band, Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras.
This moment comes over two years after his highly publicized cheating scandal that shocked reality TV fans.
From Reality Star to AGT Contestant
Before his performance, Sandoval introduces himself on camera by saying, “My name is Tom Sandoval. I was the most hated man in America.” But he’s using this chance to let the world see another side of him—as a musician.
Dressed in a sparkly green jacket and backed by his band, Sandoval sings the ‘80s classic “Take on Me.” While the judges looked unsure at first, Simon Cowell was eventually seen smiling as Sandoval hit the high notes and danced around the stage. The audience ended up cheering and giving him a standing ovation.
A Quick Recap of “Scandoval”
In 2022, Sandoval faced major backlash after it was revealed that he had been cheating on longtime girlfriend Ariana Madix with their Vanderpump Rules co-star Rachel “Raquel” Leviss. The affair broke their nine-year relationship and led to an intense public reaction.
Madix found out after seeing private messages between Sandoval and Leviss while attending one of his shows. The situation caused major drama on and off-screen, with the show’s cameras resuming filming after the affair came to light.
Leviss later entered a mental health treatment center and chose not to return for season 11. Sandoval issued a public apology on Instagram, admitting his mistakes and saying, “I was selfish and made reckless decisions.”
Life After the Scandal
Since then, Sandoval has tried to move forward. He’s now dating model Victoria Lee Robinson, while Madix has found happiness with boyfriend Daniel Wai. Despite all the backlash, Sandoval continues to perform with his band and explore his musical passion.
Interestingly, Sandoval also has a link to AGT judge Howie Mandel. After the affair broke, Sandoval gave his first interview on Mandel’s podcast, Howie Mandel Does Stuff.
The interview faced criticism, especially from Andy Cohen, because Mandel admitted he wasn’t very familiar with Vanderpump Rules at the time. Mandel later said he tried to keep the chat comfortable for Sandoval.
Tom Sandoval is clearly trying to rebuild his public image by focusing on music. His America’s Got Talent audition could be a step toward showing the world that he’s more than the scandal. Whether the judges send him through to the next round or not, he’s using the spotlight to turn a new page.
