Tom Sandoval, the reality television star known for being on Vanderpump Rules, is back in the headlines. He first caught national attention when he crashed a surprise audition on America’s Got Talent. This surprise showing follows a very rocky year that saw his reappointment to a key post nearly derailed by a scandal that received extensive national press coverage. Sandoval’s audition has sparked interest not only for his musical aspirations but for the backdrop of his recent personal challenges.
Sandoval has been part of Vanderpump Rules since its inception in 2011. He left the series in 2024 because of the fallout from the scandal dubbed Scandoval. This scandal played out in real-time as it unfolded thanks to his affair with co-star Raquel Leviss. At the time, Tom was dating Ariana Madix, best friend of Leviss. The scandal received almost blanket media attention, contributing to the reversal of Sandoval’s Teflon reputation.
In September 2023, Sandoval participated in season 2 of Fox’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, showcasing his determination to redefine himself in the wake of the scandal. He further appeared on season 3 of The Traitors, which premiered in January, suggesting his desire to remain in the limelight while exploring different avenues in entertainment.
Sandoval took to music in part to distract himself from the fallout of his widely-covered relationship drama. He stepped onto the stage of America’s Got Talent in order to follow his dreams. As soon as Sandoval walked in, judge Simon Cowell was able to identify him on the spot, showing just how surprising and impressive Sandoval’s appearance was.
In a moment that highlighted the awkwardness surrounding his recent history, judge Howie Mandel remarked to Sofia Vergara, “He slept with his girlfriend’s best friend,” referencing Sandoval’s scandalous past. Even so, Cowell was willing to give Sandoval a shot. His quote, “Let’s make America fall in love with you,” meant that there was some possible glimmer of hope from a musical career comeback.
Sandoval expressed his desire to transform his life through music, admitting in his audition, “A couple years ago, I made some really bad choices and was involved in a very bad cheating scandal, and I let down a lot of people.” He told Pitchfork after the release of the video, music is his only outlet for rebuilding his reputation. It lets him get up close and personal with fans.
During his performance, Sandoval shared his ambition for the future: “I would like nothing more for us than to tour the world, to just be like the ultimate cover band.” His then-girlfriend, Victoria Lee Robinson, showed up to that audition to support her boyfriend. This act underscored just how important personal relationships were in his long, continuing journey towards improving himself.
Fans excitedly watched and waited to hear the judges’ final decision regarding Sandoval’s fate in the competition. This episode marks an important new chapter in this serial story of his continued reinvention. Through it all, he is finding truth within the chaos, and balancing his rise to stardom with his ever-evolving self discovery. Now, who knows what audiences might think about his musical ambitions following last year’s misadventures.
