Tom Sandoval, a Vanderpump Rules star, recently made a surprise appearance on America’s Got Talent to perform A-ha’s “Take On Me." Backed by his band Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras, the reality star took the stage with the hope of reintroducing himself to America—not as a reality star but as a musician.
Sandoval stepped onto the stage in a glittery green jacket and instantly brought up his issues. He called himself “the most hated man in America,” referencing the intense backlash that came after his very public split from Ariana Madix in 2023. His cheating scandal dominated the entertainment headlines and made Sandoval at the center of reality TV's biggest scandal.
Despite the awkwardness of the situation, Sandoval stayed laid-back and focused on the auditioning phase. He told the judges and audience of his personal encounters with music, and how it helped him get through a dark moment in his life. "The band was the only thing that kept me going." The audition was not simply going to be him singing a song but more of a test to show the world this another version of himself.
His rendition of "Take On Me" was off to a good start, and it became evident throughout that he was indeed serious when it came to his music. His vocals were solid, and his enthusiasm was enough to even lift the stage. At first, the judges were still reeling from the awkwardness of him talking about himself so much, but Simon told him he cannot be bothered by what Sandoval got up to previously, and he preferred to limit his concerns to the talent. The audience also provided a stronger reception at the loudest cheers at the end of the performance.
Sandoval's audition was more than a musical event: it was a personal inflection point. With Sandoval's reputation still healing from the aftermath of the "Scandoval" saga, he is now trying to find a place for himself in the music world.
Sandoval's band, Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras, has been touring and building a fan base. On AGT's stage, Sandoval openly asked shoppers to judge him not by the mistakes of his past, but rather by the performance they were witnessing on stage. The audience seemed to respond to that honesty and vulnerability.
His support from the audience was his girlfriend, Victoria Lee Robinson, and his friend and costar Tom Schwartz. Their presence supported the notion that this was not just about one song, but a fresh start to do it in front of millions.
Whether he moves forward or not remains to be seen; however, his audition has already made an impression. It was a reminder to the audience, and especially of Arians with complicated personal lives, that public people can continue to grow and try new things.
Image Source: ew.com
