Tom Sandoval is trading reality TV drama for a primetime stage.
The Vanderpump Rules alum, at 42, is set to make his debut on America’s Got Talent on Tuesday, June 24, performing alongside his group, Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras. This performance takes place over two years after the controversy known as “Scandoval” disrupted his public persona and his nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix.
“My name is Tom Sandoval, and I was once the most hated man in America,” he declares in a teaser clip shared by AGT‘s Instagram on June 20. “This is my opportunity to show who I am as a musician.”
In the video, Sandoval steps onto the stage wearing a sparkling emerald green jacket, black pants, and sneakers, delivering a lively rendition of A-ha’s “Take on Me” while performing energetically with his band. Initially greeted with skeptical looks from judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, and Mel B, Sandoval eventually earns a smile from Cowell by reaching several high notes and getting the audience on their feet.
Whether he impressed the judges enough to move forward remains to be seen â fans will have to tune in Tuesday night to find out.
Sandovalâs appearance comes on the heels of his headline-grabbing cheating scandal with costar Rachel âRaquelâ Leviss. News of the affair broke in 2023 after Madix discovered explicit texts between Sandoval and Leviss while attending one of his concerts. The betrayal played out on Vanderpump Rules, with Bravo cameras picking back up post-wrap to film the fallout.
Leviss later sought mental health treatment and opted not to return for Season 11. Sandoval, meanwhile, publicly apologized multiple times for the affair, including in a March 2023 Instagram post: âI made mistakes, I was selfish, and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly.â
He added, âMy biggest regret is that I dishonored Ariana. I never meant to disappoint so many people, including our loving families and friends ⦠I owed Ariana better.â
Since then, Madix has moved on with boyfriend Daniel Wai, and Sandoval is now dating model Victoria Lee Robinson.
Sandoval also has a surprising tie to one of the AGT judges. In April 2023, he appeared on Howie Mandelâs Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast â his first on-air interview after the affair became public. The episode sparked backlash, with Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen and Bravo fans calling out Mandel for not pressing Sandoval harder. Mandel later admitted, âI think the reason that heâs here, unlike any other place, is because he knows heâs in an ignorant place where thereâs no challenge and he doesnât have to defend himself.â
Americaâs Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
