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Credit: Euan Cherry/Peacock

Tom Sandoval shocked judges during a surprise audition for America’s Got Talent after he recalled being the “most hated man in America,” as Simon Cowell and Sofía Vergara reacted.

Back in 2023, Tom’s affair with Rachel Leviss, the friend of his then-girlfriend Ariana Madix, was exposed to the world. Many Vanderpump Rules fans voiced their open hatred for Tom on social media. Since the controversy, his critics have attacked what he says and does. But throughout the scandal, Tom continued to sing in his cover band, Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras.

In a preview of the June 24 episode of America’s Got Talent, someone in production asked Simon behind the scenes if he knew who Tom Sandoval is.

“Yes, Lisa Vanderpump,” he answered, referring to Tom’s former boss. “You know she’s my old friend.”

Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras during their audition for America’s Got Talent — (Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC)

“Well, he’s left Vanderpump Rules and he’s here to audition with his band,” said the person in production.

In a confessional-style interview, Tom stated, “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. It pretty much destroyed my life. It was absurd how much coverage and how big it became. Ever since then, it’s like everything that I do is completely criticized. I feel a lot of pressure. I just hope the audience and the judges see who I am as a musician versus just somebody on a reality show.”

Once onstage, Simon asked him why he transitioned to music.

“A couple years ago, I was involved in a scandal, and I was labeled as the most hated man in America by The New York Times,” he said. “It was really, really rough, and I was in a very, very dark place. I felt as though I had nothing in my life, and this band was the only thing that kept me going.”

When Tom and his band prepared to play, Sofía and Howie Mandel whispered about how Tom slept with his girlfriend’s friend. At this point, Simon said he’s “not interested” in that.

At the start of Tom’s performance, Sofía and Simon looked skeptical. But as he played on and hit the high notes of “Take On Me” by A-ha, the judges’ faces changed, and the audience gave him a standing ovation.

Until the episode airs, fans won’t know if Tom’s band was approved.