You ever watch something so unexpectedly emotional you just sit there like… wow? That was me last night watching Tom Sandoval and his cover band, The Most Extras, on America’s Got Talent. Yes, that Tom Sandoval from Vanderpump Rules. And yes, it was kind of iconic.
It started like any other audition episode, but then Tom stepped onstage and opened up about Scandoval, the affair that made him one of the most hated names in reality TV. The man literally said the New York Times called him “the most hated man in America.” That level of regret? Raw. But here’s the twist… instead of hiding, he sang. And not just any song—he belted A-ha’s “Take On Me” and it was such a bold move.
The judges’ reactions? Wild.
- Simon Cowell was brutally honest (as always) and didn’t love the vocals.
- Mel B said it made her smile (and we know she doesn’t fake it).
- Sofía Vergara felt joy from it.
- Howie Mandel? He praised Tom as a real showman.
Then came the standing ovation. I couldn’t believe it. After everything—the cheating scandal with Rachel Leviss, the breakup with Ariana Madix, the headlines, the hate—this man stood on a national stage and got four “Yes” votes. The audience cheered. It was like a full-circle redemption moment.
And let’s talk career glow-up:
Since the scandal exploded in 2023, Tom’s been everywhere. He’s popped up on The Traitors, Special Forces, The Masked Singer, and even House of Villains. Meanwhile, Ariana’s been killing it on Dancing with the Stars, made her Broadway debut, and became the host of Love Island USA. Oh, and The Valley was born out of the whole mess too.
But this America’s Got Talent moment hit different. It wasn’t about drama or gossip. It was just a guy trying to reclaim his space as a musician. You could feel the vulnerability when he said his band was the only thing that kept him going through that “very dark place.” Honestly, it kind of got me.
The fact that AGT airs on NBC, the same network as Bravo (Vanderpump’s home), just makes this feel like one of those TV destiny moments. And fun fact: his first podcast after everything went down? With Howie Mandel. Full circle again.
If you told me a year ago that Sandoval would get a standing ovation on America’s Got Talent and actually make people smile again, I would’ve laughed. But here we are.
You won’t believe what happens next. Will he make it all the way to the finals? I’m watching every episode now just to find out.
Adam Smith is the Founder, writer, and news publisher of GetMuzeek, where he shares the latest updates, insights, and stories from the world of music. With a passion for uncovering fresh trends and delivering engaging content, Adam keeps readers informed and inspired.
