Tom Sandoval is seeking redemption on America’s Got Talent (AGT). The former Vanderpump Rules star, 42, took the stage during the June 24 episode with his band, Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras. While fans saw a sneak peek last week, they finally learned Sandoval’s fate on the show.
Ahead of his audition, Sandoval openly addressed his past mistakes, admitting to being involved in the infamous “Scandoval.” This scandal, which took place in 2023, saw Sandoval cheating on his long-time girlfriend, Ariana Madix, with their friend and Vanderpump Rules costar, Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.
Sandoval Reflects on His Past
In a candid moment on the show, Sandoval explained, “A couple of years ago, I made some really bad choices. I was involved in a very bad cheating scandal, and I let down a lot of people.” He went on to say that the scandal “pretty much destroyed my life,” and that it received an overwhelming amount of media attention.
“I feel a lot of pressure,” he admitted, adding that ever since the scandal, he’s been criticized for everything he does. Sandoval hoped his AGT appearance would give people a chance to see him in a new light, beyond his reality TV persona. “I would love for people to see who I am as a musician,” he said.
Sandoval’s AGT Audition: What Happened
When he took the stage with his band, Sandoval introduced himself and acknowledged the judges likely recognized him from Vanderpump Rules. AGT judge Simon Cowell, who is friends with Vanderpump Rules star Lisa Vanderpump, asked Sandoval why he was moving from reality TV to music.
“Being on a reality TV show, it’s very much about your personal life,” Sandoval explained. “A couple of years ago, I was involved in a scandal and I was labeled the ‘Most Hated Man in America’ by The New York Times. It was really, really rough.”
Despite his past struggles, Sandoval explained that music was what kept him going. “This band was the only thing that kept me going,” he said.
He also mentioned his dream to tour the world with his band. “I would love nothing more than to be the ultimate cover band, the party band,” he shared, with his friend Tom Schwartz and girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson cheering him on in the audience.
The Judges React to the Scandal
As Sandoval prepared for his performance, the judges whispered to each other. Sofía Vergara asked, “What was the scandal?” Howie Mandel explained it: “He slept with his girlfriend’s best friend.”
Mel B added, “No wonder nobody likes him then!” Sofía seemed surprised, asking, “Because of that, he became the ‘most hated man’ [in America]?” Simon Cowell quickly dismissed the drama, saying, “Do you know how not interested I am in any of that stuff?”
Sandoval’s Performance and the Judges’ Verdict
Sandoval and his band performed a cover of A-ha’s “Take on Me.” After the performance, the judges shared their thoughts:
- Mel B: She was on her feet and praised the band for “making me smile” and giving her “happy vibes.” She also loved that they weren’t embarrassed to call themselves a cover band.
- Sofía Vergara: She praised their “energy” and noted that Sandoval looked “amazing up there.”
- Howie Mandel: He praised Sandoval’s showmanship, calling him a “showman.”
- Simon Cowell: Simon was more critical, admitting that the “vocals weren’t great.” However, he appreciated that Sandoval stayed “true to who you are.” Despite his mixed review, Simon gave Sandoval a “yes.”
The other judges also gave him a “yes,” meaning Sandoval and his band would move on to the next round.
Mel B’s Thoughts on the Scandal
After the audition, Mel B made it clear she didn’t care about Sandoval’s scandal. “I don’t give a f— about the scandal,” she said. She also shared that she enjoys “cheesy” performances, which she thought Sandoval nailed.
Sandoval Celebrates His Success
Backstage, Sandoval expressed his gratitude for the audience’s support. “It means so much to us that the crowd is rooting for us,” he told host Terry Crews.
