Originally appeared on E! Online
Tom Sandoval is stepping out into the blinding lights.
The Vanderpump Rules alum and his band Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras made it to the quarterfinals of America’s Got Talent, performing a cover of The Weeknd‘s “Blinding Lights” during the Aug. 19 of the NBC competition.
While judges Howie Mandel, Mel B and Sofía Vergara applauded Tom for his energy, Simon Cowell felt the overall performance fell flat, hitting the buzzer halfway through and telling the frontman, “That did not sound good I’m afraid.”
Tom’s response to the criticism? “Right before I went on, my in-ears kinda went out,” he said of the audio monitors, “so I was flying in the dark there.”
Still, Tom insisted he was “not” making excuses for his shaky performance when Mel B called him out. As he put it, “I had a blast.”
The TomTom founder made his AGT debut in June, performing a cover of A-ha‘s “Take on Me.” The performance earned high praises from the judges, with Mel B raving that Tom’s particular rendition of the 1985 smash hit “gave me happy vibes.”
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“You made me smile,” the Spice Girls alum told him. “And apart from that song being one of my favorite songs, you all look like you were fully enjoying yourself.”
Indeed, as Tom later noted, there was a reason why he chose to take on “Take on Me.”
“That was a tough one because we have a lot of songs that we play,” he told E! News. “A-ha’s ‘Take on me’ is a song growing up I always loved the music video. I never thought I would ever be able to sing that song or hit those notes.”
But after training with vocal coaches, Tom added, “I’m able to sing now and it’s been just such a great feeling being able to have a sense of accomplishment being able to perform the song.”
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And as for why he decided to audition for AGT?
“I thought to myself, ‘This is a really good opportunity to showcase the band—to get us out there,'” Tom shared, adding that he wanted a way to give back to his bandmates after they supported him through the 2023 Scandoval cheating controversy. “It definitely was scary, but really exciting and I’m really, really happy I did it.”
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. For behind-the-scenes secrets about the show, keep reading…
Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Audition for the First Time in Front of the Judges?
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.
How Long Do Contestants Have to Audition for America’s Got Talent?
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.”
Is There Anything America’s Got Talent Contestants Can’t Bring to the Open Call Auditions?
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.”
Does America’s Got Talent Cover Contestants’ Expenses to Audition in Front of the Judges?
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.
Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Get Their Hair and Makeup Done?
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.
Do America’s Got Talent Contestants Rehearse Their Acts Before the Show?
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.”
Do the Winners of America’s Got Talent Get Their Money Right Away?
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.
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