Tom Sandoval's Fate on America's Got Talent Revealed After Audition
Warning: This story contains spoilers from the June 24 episode of America’s Got Talent.
Tom Sandoval is putting his musical chops to the test on America's Got Talent.
The Vanderpump Rules alum hit the stage with his cover band, Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras, to perform a rendition of A-ha's 1985 single “Take on Me” for judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Howie Mandel and Mel B, earning high praise for his surprise audition on the June 24 episode.
“You made me smile,” the Spice Girls alum raved. “You gave me happy vibes. And apart from that song being one of my favorite songs, you all look like you were fully enjoying yourself.”
From there, Sofía complimented the 42-year-old reality star—whose pal Tom Schwartz and girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson were in the audience for support—on looking “amazing” during his performance, while Howie dubbed him “a showman.”
“He really takes this seriously,” the comedian noted. “For me, it was great.”
As for Simon, his remarks were predictably a bit more critical, but that didn’t stop him from applauding the ensemble.
“The vocals weren’t great Tom, I’m gonna be honest with you,” he began. “However, not everyone comes on this show to get a record deal. Sometimes, it’s about being true to who you are.”
And for that, Tom and his band were put through to the next round of the competition.
“It means so much to me to see all these people coming from different places,” he told host Terry Crews backstage after the number, “and that were happy and cheering for us and rooting for us.”
Prior to the audition, Tom told the panel what his band meant to him amid his 2023 cheating scandal involving exes Ariana Madix and Rachel "Raquel" Leviss, noting that he was “in a very, very dark place” at the time.
“I felt as though I had nothing in my life,” he shared, “and this band was the only thing that kept me going.”
Tom also put his vocal chops on display during his stint on season 10 of The Masked Singer in 2023, where he hid his identity as The Diver. However, he didn't last long and was sent home after just two episodes.
America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. For behind-the-scenes secrets about the show, keep reading…
(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
No. In fact, contestants have a long road before they audition in front of the judges, who include Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofía Vergara and Simon Cowell for season 20.
"We have open call auditions virtually to reach as many people as possible," Theresa Graham, NBCUniversal's director of unscripted formats, told NBC Insider in 2022. "Anybody can sign up and have an audition with our casting team and producers. If they think that somebody is worth considering, they put them through to our executive producers. After they say yes, then the act will go to audition in front of the judges. We all see everything play out from there."
Hopefuls can try out through either an in-person or virtual open call or through a video audition.
Set your timers! Because according to the audition guidelines, individuals will have up to 90 seconds to show off their skills during the open calls. However, the regulations note "producers reserve the right to modify audition times."
Yes, quite a few items, actually.
While many acts incorporate open flames, for instance, the rules state that "fire and special rigging are not allowed at open call auditions." Similarly, competitors will need to fill out an Animal Information Form and bring the animal's vaccination record if their act incorporates an animal. Other prohibited items, per the rules, include “coolers (unless for medical reasons), fireworks, weapons, sharp tools, mace/pepper spray, illicit drugs, alcohol, [or] props requiring fire or pyrotechnics.”
Once contestant make it through the initial rounds, they must try out in front of the judges. However, they don't have to worry about paying the full bill to get there.
According to America's Got Talent's audition guidelines, contestants will be provided with airfare if they have to travel far for the judges audition round, or they'll be given a bus ticket, train ticket or gas reimbursement for driving if they live fairly close to the audition site. They are also provided with hotel accommodations as well as a daily allowance for food or other expenses.
According to America's Got Talent audition guidelines, the show does not provide hair and makeup support for contestants during the judges audition round; however, competitors are expected to come "camera ready." Although, the series does provide these services for contestants for future rounds.
In fact, AGT's makeup artist Tonia Green noted on Instagram the hair and makeup team worked with "hundreds of contestants" during season 19.
Yes. Contestants have the opportunity to run through their acts during the rehearsals. However, this isn't the only part of the show they go over.
"I don't know if you guys know this, but all the contestants have to do a results rehearsal," Sofie Dossi, who competed on three seasons of America's Got Talent, shared in a 2024 YouTube video. "It's so everyone knows where to go if you're booted off or if you make it through and for the staff to figure out lighting and camera angles."
The grand prize for winning America's Got Talent is $1 million. But does the champion get the full amount right away?"The prize, which totals $1,000,000 is payable in a financial annuity over forty years," a statement at the end of the show's credits read, "or the contestants may choose to receive the present value of such annuity."
If you take $1,000,000 and you divide it by 40, that comes out to $25,000 per year before taxes for those who choose to receive the payment over time.
eonline
