Tom Sandoval stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage in search of redemption — and it looks like he found it.
Addressing the judges head-on about the Vanderpump Rules cheating scandal that had him dubbed “the most hated man in America” by The New York Times, Sandoval didn’t shy away from his past. But he came to sing — and the crowd was here for it.
His performance not only earned a standing ovation from the judges and audience, but the video quickly went viral online, with fans praising his vocals and stage presence.
“I love your version of this song. Well done!” one fan posted on X.
Another raved on AGT’s YouTube page: “He killed it!!!!! The entire band’s energy!!! Love, love, love!!”
Sandoval is now moving on to the next round of the competition — and soaking in a much-needed wave of support.
But the moment wasn’t without a hiccup — Simon Cowell wasn’t entirely sold on the performance, and he made that clear.
According to NBC, Tom Sandoval’s unexpected appearance on America’s Got Talent alongside his band, The Most Extras, came in the wake of a media storm. The former Traitors and Vanderpump Rules star had become a national headline after being accused of cheating on his girlfriend of nine years with a close friend and co-star.
During the audition, Sandoval took on the classic “Take on Me” by A-ha, aiming to win over the judges and audience alike. While he earned applause and praise from many, Simon’s reaction was noticeably less enthusiastic — a moment that didn’t go unnoticed amid the viral buzz.
“I made some really bad choices and got caught up in a messy cheating scandal. I let a lot of people down. It basically tore my life apart. The amount of attention it got was just insane,” Tom Sandoval admitted on America’s Got Talent. “I feel a lot of pressure. I just hope the Judges and the audience can see me for who I am as a musician, not just a reality TV personality.”
Speaking to NBC, Sandoval opened up about his nerves before hitting the stage.
“There had been talk in the past about us possibly going on the show, and more recently it came up again. I was definitely nervous—mainly because I didn’t know how people would react, especially with everything that happened,” he said.
Despite the anxiety, he was thrilled with how things turned out.
Simon Cowell wasn’t entirely impressed, noting that Sandoval’s vocals “weren’t great,” according to NBC. But that didn’t dull Sandoval’s excitement.
“It was scary, but also such a rush,” he told NBC. “Putting ourselves out there like that felt amazing, and hearing Mel B. get so into it? That was everything. And huge congrats to her on getting married! For her to even say she’d want us to perform at her wedding—like, that would be such an honor.”
Sandoval added, “And seeing Simon smile up there? That moment meant the world to me.”
