OPINION: Tom Sandoval’s America’s Got Talent appearance was a total publicity stunt, and here’s why.

Okay, so this is strictly my opinion, but let me break down why I believe Tom Sandoval’s performance on America’s Got Talent was a total stunt.

First of all, if you didn’t already know, shoutout to my amazing husband Jason (and happy belated birthday!) it was him who really opened my eyes to how this works. One of Jason’s best friends actually sang backup for Gladys Knight, Diana Ross and more once auditioned for AGT with real vocal power and real stakes. Her whole story was about feeding her family and staying afloat, and even though she had more money than all of us combined, what she brought to the table was legitimate, undeniable talent. She was asked to come on the show to showcase her talent knowing that she wouldn’t be winning. Allegedly they have filler acts, who are very talented and entertaining!

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🎤 Sandoval’s Performance Was About Buzz

This reeks of a Bravo-flavored publicity stunt. He’s not trying to win America’s Got Talent. He’s trying to extend his 15 minutes in the most mainstream, headline-grabbing way possible. This man didn’t wake up one day and say, “I’m going to dedicate myself to this craft.” No. He said, “Let me bring my drama-stained name to a primetime stage and milk the scandal for all it’s worth.” Which isn’t bad PR as he’s about to embark on season 3 of House of Villains on E!

💰 Follow the Money: Was This a Paid Appearance?

I don’t have the receipts (yet), but I’d bet good money this was a paid appearance, a strategic play to bring in that juicy Bravo audience. Think about it. When Dancing with the Stars cast Ariana Madix and Mauricio Umansky in the same season, the ratings shot through the roof. It wasn’t just about dancing… it was about scandal, headlines, and fan bases tuning in for more drama. This? Exact same playbook.

🤝 Bravo x Network TV: The Crossover Strategy

What we’re seeing is network synergy in real-time. NBCUniversal owns both Bravo and NBC. So when a Bravo-Leberty (especially one at the center of a former national scandal) steps onto a big NBC show like AGT, it’s no accident. It’s not about winning. It’s about viewership, virality, and headlines.

And you know what? It’s working!

TL;DR — It’s Just Business, Baby

Tom Sandoval on AGT isn’t about talent. It’s about keeping his name in the press, shifting his narrative, and roping in the Bravo audience for ratings gold. Also, he wasn’t half bad, but honestly haven’t we all seen Mama Duke and her hit song, Feels So Good!

That’s not shade, it’s strategy. But let’s not pretend this was ever about the music.

What did you guys think about Tom Sandoval’s performance on America’s Got Talent? Let me know below and check out more on upandadamlive.com!