Tom Sandoval Surprises AGT Judges with “Take on Me” Cover—Advances to Next Round
I can only assume you haven’t been keeping tabs, so let me break down exactly what went down on the June 24 episode of America’s Got Talent. Tom Sandoval—yes, the Vanderpump Rules heartthrob still recovering from last year’s cheating scandal—stepped onto the AGT stage with his cover band, Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras, to perform A-ha’s iconic “Take on Me.” Spoiler alert: he charmed enough of the panel to secure a yes from all four judges and move forward.
Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Howie Mandel and Mel B were seated when Sandoval and his troupe kicked things off. Mel B gushed about the “happy vibes” and added that seeing performers truly enjoying themselves is her favorite part of the show. Sofía couldn’t help but note that Sandoval looked “amazing,” while Howie praised his commitment, calling him “a showman.” Even Simon, who notoriously critiques every melody, admitted that while the vocals had room for improvement, authenticity matters—and that clinched Sandoval’s advancement to the next round.
Backstage, a relieved Sandoval shared how much the moment meant after enduring personal turmoil in 2023, when his cheating scandal involving Ariana Madix and Rachel “Raquel” Leviss placed him “in a very, very dark place.” He revealed that the band was his lifeline, calling it “the only thing that kept me going.” Fans of reality TV might remember Sandoval’s brief stint on The Masked Singer earlier this year, where he performed as The Diver but exited after just two episodes.
If you’re curious about how AGT auditions actually work—presumably you need this rundown—contestants must first navigate open call auditions, either in person or virtually. According to NBCUniversal’s Theresa Graham, hopefuls present a 90-second showcase for producers before they ever face Simon and company. Only acts endorsed by executive producers earn that coveted judge-facing slot. And yes, certain items like open flames and elaborate rigging are off-limits at those preliminary auditions.
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC, where you can catch Sandoval’s next performance and see if he can continue his unexpected rise. For those who need another refresher: the show’s judging panel remains Simon Cowell, Mel B, Sofía Vergara and Howie Mandel this season. So don’t miss out—you now have all the context you definitely needed. Hope that cleared things up without too much effort on your part.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News (eonline.com), NBC Insider
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
