By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Ladies and gentlemen meet your America’s Got Talent (AGT): The Champions Top 12! Tonight, some of the best acts from the Got Talent world faced off for the right to be called the ultimate Got Talent champion.
Who impressed the judges (Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel)? Read on to find out!
(Author’s Note: Because it is the ‘AGT: The Champions’ finals, I have now added a letter grade for each act’s performance.)
Spain’s Got Talent champion Cristina Ramos opened up the show. She beat out Darci Lynn Farmer and Courtney Hadwin to receive the superfans’ votes. Tonight, she sang an operatic version of Blondie’s “Call Me.” It was octave-defying and set the bar for the other acts. It was a fantastic way to open up the show.
Cristina Ramos’ grade: A
I was surprised that Terry mentioned that Preacher Lawson was the only comedian to make it to the AGT: Champions finale. In his pre-performance package, he was coming for the win, but his world shattered when he found out that his Season 12 winner was added as a Wild Card. I like Preacher, but it was one of his weakest sets to date.
I was surprised that Terry mentioned that Preacher Lawson was the only comedian to make it to the AGT: Champions finale. In his pre-performance package, he was coming for the win, but his world shattered when he found out that his Season 12 winner was added as a Wild Card. I like Preacher, but it was one of his weakest sets to date. However, it was interesting to see him go one-on-one with Terry in a pec bounce battle.
Preacher Lawson’s grade: C
Darci Lynne Farmer received another chance for AGT: Champions glory. This time, she brought out the divalicious Petunia to increase her chances of winning. The divalicious bunny sang “O Mio Babbino Caro,” which would make both Barbara Padilla and Jackie Evancho envious. It was so left field and perfectly executed that it was worthy of another $1,000,000.
Darci Lynne Farmer’s grade: A+
Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer act, Deadly Games (Alfredo and Anna Silva), returned for their most dangerous performance yet. Up first, Anna showcased her flexability as she dodged the daggers that Alberto threw. Next, Alfredo showed off his marksmanship by perfectly hitting two white balloons. My jaw went lower as he brought out four sabers and Anna returned to the wooden platform. What scared me the most was the duo summoned all four judges and Terry Crews to the stage with their balloons in hand. After the quartet went on stage, Alberto revealed that he would shoot an arrow and target Anna, Terry, and the judges’ balloons. Thankfully, I am happy to report that all six people were not harmed during the duration of the act. I believe this is one of the dangerous acts in AGT history.
Deadly Games’ Grade: B+/A-
(Author’s Note: I was unable to catch Kechi’s performance live, therefore I will not give her a letter grade.)
Magician Jon Dorenbos was one of the lucky acts that was selected to be a Wild Card. After each judge picked a chalkboard, the Season 11 finalist joined the judges at their desk. He asked Howie to select a random date on his touring schedule. Next, he used playing cards and told Mel B to pick a card. The former NFL star ripped a corner off of her selection (Queen of Hearts) and he gave Scary Spice the card. However, the ripped portion of the card vanished from Heidi’s hands. It turned out the ripped portion was under a stack of photographs. The ripped portion correctly matched the Queen of Hearts. Next, he asked Heidi to pick a random photo of her outrageous outfits. Finally, he asked Simon to pick out a playing card. Howie picked Tulsa, Oklahoma and it magically appeared on Howie’s chalkboard. Next, he correctly predicted that Mel B chose the Queen of Hearts, Heidi picked out a Butterfly costume and Simon picked out the Three of Clubs. Little did we all know that all of those items tied together his AGT career.
Jon Dorenbos’ Grade: A
11-year-old Angelica Hale is a very polarizing singer. Some people love her, some people abhor her. I am in the second group. I thought that she did not belong in the AGT: Champions
Angelica Hale’s Grade: D+/C-
Kseniya Simonova received Terry Crews’ Golden Buzzer. Ukraine’s Got Talent champion returned to the AGT: Champions stage searching for a win. I loved watching her tell an impeccable story using sand about a couple during a great war. Kseniya is probably one of the world’s greatest sand artists and I am grateful that the producers recruited her to join this show.
Kseniya Simonova’s Grade: A-
Paul Potts returned to the AGT: Champions stage to deliver the performance of his career. He revisited his iconic performance of Pavarotti’s legendary aria “Nessun Dorma.” Twelve years ago, it created magic for him, and it gave me chills to him sing this song on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. Also, it was very classy of him to pay tribute to the late Season Three champion: Neal E. Boyd.
Paul Potts’ Grade: A+
Before he returned to the AGT stage, reigning champion Shin Lim praised his fiancé for where is he right now. For me, it was hard to keep track of Shin’s amazing performance that made my jaw drop. Shin stole the show with his routine and cemented his future in the entertainment industry.
Shin Lim’s Grade: A
Britain’s Got Talent runner-up Susan Boyle closed out the evening. She received Mel B’s Golden Buzzer during the first week of preliminary auditions. She returned to the Champions stage with the song that started her career: “I Dreamed a Dream.” Ms. Boyle still possesses the same magic that won over Simon, Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan, and the whole world in 2009. Susan Boyle is still one of the all-time greatest Got Talent acts. The crowd erupted with joy after she finished the tune. Mel B stated she would have given Susan Boyle an infinite amount of Golden Buzzers, while Simon reminisced about her first time on the Got Talent stage and called her a “Champion.”
Susan Boyle’s Grade: A+
Next week, the ultimate champion will be revealed!
