{"id":180214,"date":"2025-08-20T12:16:25","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T16:16:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cyberlego.com\/web\/2025\/08\/20\/simon-cowell-rips-into-tom-sandovals-the-weeknd-cover-on-agt-that-did-not-sound-good-3\/"},"modified":"2025-08-20T12:16:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T16:16:25","slug":"simon-cowell-rips-into-tom-sandovals-the-weeknd-cover-on-agt-that-did-not-sound-good-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cyberlego.com\/web\/2025\/08\/20\/simon-cowell-rips-into-tom-sandovals-the-weeknd-cover-on-agt-that-did-not-sound-good-3\/","title":{"rendered":"Simon Cowell Rips Into Tom Sandoval\u2019s The Weeknd Cover on \u2018AGT\u2019: \u2018That Did Not Sound\u00a0Good\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\tThe once-proclaimed \u201cMost Hated Man in America\u201d is now vying to win back the nation\u2019s love on America\u2019s Got Talent<\/em> \u2014 but Simon Cowell is no longer sure Tom Sandoval<\/a> has what it takes. <\/p>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tTom Sandoval Teases His \u2018America\u2019s Got Talent\u2019 Live Performance Will Be \u2018Bigger\u2019 & \u2018Better\u2019: \u2018It\u2019s Going to Be More\u00a0Extra\u2019\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3><\/div>\n

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Vanderpump<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tJust Raise Your Glasses High for These \u2018Vanderpump Rules\u2019 Music\u00a0Moments\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3><\/div>\n

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\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Liliana<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\t\t\t\t\tSimon Cowell Stops \u2018AGT\u2019 Audition, Asks Granddaughter to Sing\u00a0Instead\t\t<\/p>\n<\/h3><\/div>\n

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\n\tOn the show\u2019s live episode Tuesday (Aug. 19), the ex-Vanderpump Rules <\/em>star and his band, The Most Extras, put a jazz-rock spin on The Weeknd\u2019s \u201cBlinding Lights,\u201d 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<\/a> No. 1 hit. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tStepping off the platform, Sandoval went on to deliver a breathless, oftentimes pitchy performance of The Weeknd\u2019s chart-topping lyrics. What he may have lacked in vocal delivery, however, was arguably made up for in energy and spirited dance moves \u2014 but Cowell wasn\u2019t sold. As confetti rained down, the notoriously harsh critic interrupted the performance to press his letter \u201cX,\u201d prompting a horn to blare with loud disapproval.<\/p>\n

\n\tWhen it came time to deliver critiques, Cowell naturally didn\u2019t hold back. \u201cI like Tom, and I like the band, however, you\u2019re judging this performance \u2014 it didn\u2019t sound great.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cIt didn\u2019t,\u201d he continued as Sandoval nodded. \u201cIt might just be from where I sat, but that did not sound good, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tFortunately for the hopeful \u2014 who later contested that his in-ear monitors hadn\u2019t been working properly \u2014 the other judges had different opinions. \u201cThe sound was not amazing, but this was super entertaining,\u201d said Sofia Vergara, while Howie Mandel cheered, \u201cYou\u2019re good people having a fun time, and that\u2019s what this show is about.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cYou make me smile,\u201d added Mel B, who gave the performance a standing ovation and urged America to vote for Sandoval. <\/p>\n

\n\tThe polarizing showcase comes about a month after Sandoval\u2019s initial audition<\/a> for AGT <\/em>aired. Moments before performing A-ha\u2019s \u201cTake On Me\u201d with The Most Extras and earning unanimous \u201cyeses\u201d from the judges in June, the aspiring musician shared his hopes for the show. \u201cCouple 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,\u201d he said at the time, referring to his widely publicized affair with Vanderpump <\/em>castmate Raquel (now Rachel) Leviss. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cIt pretty much destroyed my life,\u201d he continued, referencing how The<\/em> New York Times <\/em>had dubbed him the \u201cmost hated man\u201d in the country. \u201cI just hope the audience and the judges see who I am as a musician.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tIronically, Sandoval also told Billboard<\/a> <\/em>in an interview shortly afterward that he was hoping to work on his singing abilities ahead of his \u201cBlinding Lights\u201d performance. \u201cI\u2019ve been vocally training every day and just doing the best I can to keep improving myself,\u201d he said at the time.<\/p>\n

\n\tWatch Sandoval\u2019s latest performance on America\u2019s Got Talent <\/em>above.<\/p>\n

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