“Let’s get America to like you,” Simon Cowell told Tom Sandoval just before he began his audition for America’s Got Talent with his band, The Most Extras.
Sandoval, who rose to fame starring in the first 11 seasons of Vanderpump Rules, was labeled the “most hated man in America” after he was caught cheating on his then-girlfriend/co-star Ariana Madix with their mutual close friend Rachel “Raquel” Leviss in 2023. While Sandoval’s attempt at a redemption arc on Vanderpump Rules Season 11 fell flat for Bravo fans, his appearance on The Traitors Season 3 brought him an entirely new fanbase, which could certainly help him out on his new venture.
Having starred in Vanderpump Rules, The Traitors, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test and soon-to-be House of Villains, Sandoval is now making his mark on America’s Got Talent. In a preview clip from tonight’s episode, the Bravo alum shares his dreams of front-manning the “ultimate cover band” as he hopes to show himself “as a musician” rather than a reality television star whose life got “destroyed” by his cheating scandal.
Judge Howie Mandel — who hosted Sandoval on his podcast in his first interview after the affair went public — filled Sofia Vergara and Mel B in on the Scandoval lore from the judges’ table, while Cowell sharply asked, “Do you know how not interested I am in any of that stuff?” As Sandoval began his performance of A-ha’s “Take On Me,” the energy was high, his horn section was on-point, and his stage presence was certainly much more impressive than the time he sang reverse lullabies into creepy dolls on The Traitors — which is likely why Cowell had a grin plastered across his face.
“It felt really good to see him smiling like that. I was looking out into the crowd, but I was also very much in my head,” Sandoval told Decider over a recent phone call. “But it was really great to see that.”
Sandoval wasn’t the only Bravolebrity in the house for his audition. The “Touch in Public” singer also invited his former co-star and close friend Tom Schwartz to watch from the audience. When we caught up with Schwartz in our NYC studio, he said, “I was honestly impressed because it’s usually a show you go on when you’re just starting your career, not when you’re coming off of 10, 11 years on a reality television show.” While he knew his business partner would face some “ridicule” for his audition, Schwartz added, “Who cares? Everybody’s gonna say something. You can’t let other people’s opinions define you or become you, or whatever that saying is.”
During our brief chat with Sandoval, he revealed why he decided to audition for America’s Got Talent, what it’s like to share his passion for music with the world, and whether he has plans to sing “Schwartzy’s Mom” for future performances. Check out the full interview below.
DECIDER: What made you decide to audition for America’s Got Talent?
TOM SANDOVAL: It was more just about the band. I wanted to get the band out there, because I love these guys. They’re such great, talented musicians and to me, this is an amazing platform for them to showcase how awesome they are. So I really just wanted to get the band up there, if anything.
I think it’s really cool to see you go back to your music roots, because I think people forget that you were doing this in the very early seasons of Vanderpump Rules. What does it mean to you to finally be able to share it with the world on this big of a platform?
Oh, it’s really awesome. It’s also nerve-wracking, too. I mean, you’re auditioning against some very, very talented acts. Obviously, the stakes are high. But overall, it’s a great platform. I was like, “Well, OK, let’s do it.”
There’s this sort of full-circle moment happening here because Howie Mandel, who you gave your first post-Scandoval interview to, is one of the judges. Did you tell him you were planning to audition before you did it? Or was it a surprise for him?
I didn’t, but I’m sure that he probably heard because our drummer Jason’s wife Kimmy used to work with Howie for a long time so she’s friends with his daughter.
Simon Cowell is also a judge, and he’s famously hard on auditioners – but he had a smile from ear to ear during your performance. Without spoiling too much, what can you say about the feedback he gave you?
Well, first of all, it felt really good to see him smiling like that. I was looking out into the crowd, but I was also very much in my head. But it was really great to see that, and I’m excited to see what happens on Tuesday.
You chose to sing “Take On Me” for your audition. Why was that the perfect song to start your AGT experience with?
I think it’s a song that the band sounds really good doing. I love how the horns come in and play along with it and how everyone comes together in the band with the song. Also, it’s just an instant classic. It’s not the easiest song to sing or perform, so I think that it just showcases everyone really well.
What else can you tease about upcoming performances? Do you have any plans to sing fan favorites like “Touch In Public” or “Schwartzy’s Mom”?
Yeah, actually. We have a show tonight in St. Charles, Illinois at the Arcata Theater. We got one tomorrow at District 142 in Wyandotte, Michigan. And then one in Paw Paw, Michigan at the Warner Vineyards, so we’re doing a Midwest weekend tour. I just wrapped House of Villains, which was really fun. As far as doing those songs, I’m not sure. I mean, we’re sort of just pushing the cover band aspect of things, so that could be a thing, that might not be. We got a little bit of time to think about it, but I just don’t know if everybody would get the joke or not.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
America’s Got Talent airs new episodes on Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC.
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