Simon Cowell Criticizes Tom Sandoval’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ Performance: “It Didn’t Sound Great”

Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval is continuing his redemption tour with a stint on America’s Got Talent with his cover band, The Most Extras. But, unlike previous weeks, the band’s cover of The Weeknd’s song “Blinding Lights” in the quarterfinals failed to impress the judges, – though Sandoval’s friend Tom Schwartz and girlfriend Victoria Lee Robinson seemed thoroughly entertained as they cheered him on from the audience.

Simon Cowell was the only judge to hit the “X” buzzer during Sandoval’s performance. The famously candid judge did not mince his words when it came time to offer feedback to Sandoval and The Most Extras.

“Well, I like Tom, and I like the band,” Cowell explained. “However, you know, judging this performance, it didn’t sound great. Look, it might just be me from where I sat, but that did not sound good, I’m afraid. It didn’t.”

The other judges were much more encouraging about the bands’ future after the performance, though Sofia Vergara seemed to understand Cowell’s perspective.

“I mean, I loved the dancing. I loved the band. I loved the song,” she said. “The sound was not amazing, but this was super entertaining.”

Mel B, however, was all smiles when it came to Sandoval’s performance.

“I mean, I said it before, but I’m gonna say it again,” Mel B said. “You make me smile. You just do. You know what? Yeah, you’re a cover band, but you know what? You just bring a little bit of happiness. And the way that you commit is flawless.”

Howie Mandel said he could see a bright future for the cover band playing weddings and parities.

“Listen, your aspirations…. As you said, this is a show of redemption,” Mandel said, referring to the confession Sandoval made during his audition about making how the Scandoval fallout pretty much destroyed” his life. “What you want to do is you want to do music. You want to be the most fun cover band, and that’s well worth looking at. I think there are people who are watching who probably want you to play their weddings, their parties, their clubs.”

The former Bravo star told Decider he was “nervous” about competing on America’s Got Talent, but his cover band has received overwhelming praise since joining the NBC competition.

“I’m nervous. I’m excited,” Sandoval said. “I know that the people that are going to be performing in these live shows are all really, really talented. I’m just honored to be among such amazing talent. I’ve never been in this situation before, so it’s a new thing for me.”

Now, the band’s fate lies in the hands of the viewers.

New episodes of America’s Got Talent air Tuesdays on NBC at 8/7c.