Tom Sandoval Responds to Simon Cowell’s AGT Criticism

A Big Night Turns Controversial

On August 19, 2025, Tom Sandoval took the stage of America's Got Talent with his band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras. They performed a cover of The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" with plenty of lights, dancing, and energy. Despite all that, the night ended up being one of the most talked about storylines of the quarterfinals very quickly.

Simon Cowell Hits The Buzzer

Halfway through the performance, Simon Cowell hit the X buzzer, and the crowd fell silent. He directly told Sandoval:

"That did not sound good, I'm afraid."

The audience and the other judges were stunned. Cowell's unfiltered rejection became the headline moment of the episode immediately.

Sandoval Explained What Went Wrong

After the show, Sandoval explained that the technical situation ultimately made the performance far more complicated than he expected. His in-ear monitoring system went out literally right before he went on stage, which meant, the even the backing track wasn't being properly monitored.

He admitted:

“I was flying in the dark there, but I had a blast.”

Judges Offer Mixed Reactions

Not all judges agreed with Simon’s harsh review.

• Mel B commended Sandoval's dedication, saying he made her smile.
• Sofía Vergara acknowledged the sound wasn't great, but continued by saying it was still engaging.
• Howie Mandel said it was a story of redemption, complimented Sandoval's energy, and willingness to take the risks.

Fans Reaction on Social Media

The performance led to heated reactions among fans online. Some fans defended Sandoval, saying technical issues can happen with any artist and that they powered through them, whicle some other supported the honesty of Simon.

One of the fans on X tweeted in his support in a critic post:

"I believe Tom when he said something went wrong with the ear pieces."

I believe Tom when he said something went wrong with the ear pieces. I agree he sounded off, but musicians never take out their ear pieces unless something is wrong since they rely on it to keep them in tune. Most AGT singers are karaoke singers, but not honest about it. #AGT

— Amanda Parsons (M.ED) (@Amanda_Parsons) August 20, 2025

What This Means for Sandoval

Regardless of the outcome of AGT, Sandoval's quarterfinal performance has already been recognised as one of the most exciting parts of the season till date. Through addressing his mistakes and looking to stay positive, Sandoval demonstrated a level of resiliency, and in doing so, he has showed a side of him that resonated not just with fans but with critics as well.