As Ariana Madix triumphs as host of Love Island USA, which is setting record viewership in Season 7, her ex Tom Sandoval is still trying to move past the scandal he provoked on Vanderpump Rules.
With the Bravo reality series completely rebooting with a new cast, Sandoval has turned to music and appeared on America’s Got Talent Season 20 with his band to audition for the NBC talent show.
“A couple of years ago, I made some really bad choices and was involved in a very bad cheating scandal and I let down a lot of people,” Sandoval said on AGT. “It pretty much destroyed my life. It was absurd how much coverage and how big it became. Ever since then, everything I do is completely criticized.”
Sandoval noted that he felt a lot of pressure and hoped the judges could see him as a musician and not just someone on a reality show.
When Sandoval got on stage, Simon Cowell reminded him that he worked with his friend Lisa Vanderpump, owner of SUR and executive producer of Vanderpump Rules.
“With being on a reality TV show, it’s very much about your personal life,” Sandoval said of moving on to music. “A couple of years ago, I was involved in a scandal and I was labeled as, ‘The most hated man in America,’ by the New York Times. It was really rough and I was in a very dark place. I felt as though I had nothing in my life and this band was the only thing that kept me going.”
Sandoval added that he wants to tour the world and become the ultimate cover band. The former Bravo star was accompanied by his co-star Tom Schwartz and his girlfriend, who were cheering him on in the audience.
As Sandoval got ready to perform, Sofía Vergara asked fellow judge Howie Mandel what was the scandal he was involved in, to which he said, “He slept with his girlfriend’s best friend.”
“No wonder nobody likes him then,” Mel B chimed in.
Cowell then added, “Do you know how not interested I am in any of that stuff?”
Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras performed “Take On Me” by A-ha and wowed the judges, receiving a standing ovation from all four of them.
“You made me smile,” Mel B said after Cowell noted that she got on her feet following Sandoval’s performance. “You gave me happy vibes, and apart from that song being one of my favorite songs, you all looked like you were fully enjoying yourselves, and you’re not embarrassed to say that you are a cover band.”
Mel B noted that she may need a cover band for her upcoming wedding with Sandoval saying he was down to perform there.
“I love cover bands. I love the band. I love the energy,” Vergara said. “Tom, you look amazing up there. I think you guys brought us joy tonight.”
Mandel, who interviewed Sandoval on his podcast in the aftermath of the Vanderpump Rules scandal, said, “Tom is a showman. He really takes this seriously. For me, it was great.”
Cowell got honest with Sandoval and said, “The vocals weren’t great, Tom.”
The crowd booed Cowell, who then added, “Not everyone comes on this show to get a record deal. Sometimes it’s about being true to who you are.”
All the judges said yes, pushing Sandoval into the next round.
“That’s real life. That’s what happens to some people. That’s why I’m like, ‘I don’t give a f*** about a scandal.’ Who cares?” Mel B added after Sandoval left the stage. “I liked it because I’m cheesy.”
Watch Sandoval’s full performance below.
Watch the AGT judges give Sandoval feedback.
