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Simon Cowell Rips Into Tom Sandoval’s The Weeknd Cover on ‘AGT’: ‘That Did Not Sound Good’
Judges Sofia Vergara, Mel B and Howie Mandel, however, had only kind things to say.
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The once-proclaimed “Most Hated Man in America” is now vying to win back the nation’s love on America’s Got Talent — but Simon Cowell is no longer sure Tom Sandoval has what it takes.
On the show’s live episode Tuesday (Aug. 19), the ex-Vanderpump Rules star and his band, The Most Extras, put a jazz-rock spin on The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights,” earning mixed reviews from the judges and possibly jeopardizing his future on the competition. Kicking off with a dramatic start, Sandoval began by playing a flashy riff on his trumpet while towering over the stage on a hanging platform, which then lowered to the ground as his band launched into its rendition of the 2020 four-week Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit.
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Stepping off the platform, Sandoval went on to deliver a breathless, oftentimes pitchy performance of The Weeknd’s chart-topping lyrics. What he may have lacked in vocal delivery, however, was arguably made up for in energy and spirited dance moves — but Cowell wasn’t sold. As confetti rained down, the notoriously harsh critic interrupted the performance to press his letter “X,” prompting a horn to blare with loud disapproval.
When it came time to deliver critiques, Cowell naturally didn’t hold back. “I like Tom, and I like the band, however, you’re judging this performance — it didn’t sound great.”
“It didn’t,” he continued as Sandoval nodded. “It might just be from where I sat, but that did not sound good, I’m afraid.”
Fortunately for the hopeful — who later contested that his in-ear monitors hadn’t been working properly — the other judges had different opinions. “The sound was not amazing, but this was super entertaining,” said Sofia Vergara, while Howie Mandel cheered, “You’re good people having a fun time, and that’s what this show is about.”
“You make me smile,” added Mel B, who gave the performance a standing ovation and urged America to vote for Sandoval.
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The polarizing showcase comes about a month after Sandoval’s initial audition for AGT aired. Moments before performing A-ha’s “Take On Me” with The Most Extras and earning unanimous “yeses” from the judges in June, the aspiring musician shared his hopes for the show. “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 said at the time, referring to his widely publicized affair with Vanderpump castmate Raquel (now Rachel) Leviss.
“It pretty much destroyed my life,” he continued, referencing how The New York Times had dubbed him the “most hated man” in the country. “I just hope the audience and the judges see who I am as a musician.”
Ironically, Sandoval also told Billboard in an interview shortly afterward that he was hoping to work on his singing abilities ahead of his “Blinding Lights” performance. “I’ve been vocally training every day and just doing the best I can to keep improving myself,” he said at the time.
Watch Sandoval’s latest performance on America’s Got Talent below.
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Find out if Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras move on in the competition when viewer votes are revealed Wednesday (Aug. 20) at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
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