Vanderpump Rulesbad boyTom SandovaltoldAmerica’s Got Talentcameras he was nervous to take the stage in a post-Scandoval world — but the reality is, those nerves weren’t about hisreputation as a reality TV villain.
Sandoval became persona non grata when theMay 2023 cheating scandal exploded, affecting both his TV image and his personal life with ex-girlfriend Ariana Madix. After it was revealed Sandoval had a year-long affair with Madix’s close friendRaquel Leviss, he became globally excommunicated. So when he returned to reality TV to perform onAmerica’s Got Talentwith his band Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras, he told the cameras he was nervous facing the crowds and judges because he anticipated backlash.
While backlash was still a valid concern, Sandoval recently told Collider there was a different reason for his nerves. “America’s Got Talent is probably one of the biggest stages in the world,” he explained. “And I’m not performing in front of people who have shown up there to see me, but I’m performing in front of judges who can be very harsh, especially Simon [Cowell]. So it was very nerve-wracking to be there.”
Sandoval has performed numerous times onVanderpump Rules, but saidAGTwas different because"you feel much more critiqued, obviously judged, and you’re competing … auditioning. It’s a whole other beast."
Tom Sandoval Overcame Doubts, Ultimately Winning Over Simon Cowell on ‘AGT’
Sandoval admitshe was reluctant to join the show"because I felt like I was gonna get a lot of negativity and criticism thrown my way, and I didn’t know if it was necessarily a good move. But I ended up following through and doing it because my band has been there with me through some very, very hard times in my life. I didn’t want to take that opportunity away ‘cause I was afraid of criticism. So I’m so glad I did it, and I’m so excited to now be in the live shows, the competition."
Whilehe received positive reactionsfrom most of the judges, Simon Cowell said Sandoval’s vocals weren’t as strong as he’d like. Sandoval ultimately won Cowell over and appreciated the honest feedback. “Everyone there on that panel has seen some of the best musicians in the world perform, so I deserve critiques and can always get better.Having Simon say that, I was like, ‘Okay, I’m gonna keep working. Keep getting better.'”
Tom Sandoval’s ‘Take on Me’ Cover Marks a Big ‘AGT’ Milestone As the Band Prepares for the Next Round
Choosing to performA-ha’sTake On Mewas intentional. “Who doesn’t love Ah-ha? ‘Take on Me’ is such a classic, and we decided on that song, which we had done before, was a song that I grew up listening to and that I never thought I would be able to sing. And sobeing able to sing that song in my life was a big milestone,” he says.
Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras made it to theAGTLive Shows for Quarterfinals Week 1, so improving the live show is now his biggest focus. The band has been rehearsing, and he’s working with vocal coaches. They’re still deciding on their next song. “I didn’t want todo another ’80s song. Because we’re not an ’80s cover band,” Sandoval explains, adding they won’t perform any original songs onAGT. “We’re not like a yacht rock band. So we wanted to change it up and do something a lot different, and I’m excited for everyone to see what we’re doing.”
Sandoval teased they might play another song often heard at weddings and jokedhe’s “down” to perform at Mel B’s nuptials. “I’m ready!”
America’s Got Talentlive performances air Tuesday, Aug. 19, with the results show on Wednesday, August 20.
