Howie, Heidi, Terry, Mel B, and Simon pose together during a taping of AGT: Fantasy League (Photo property of NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The America’s Got Talent (AGT): Fantasy League Qualifiers are over!
We have entered the semifinal phase of this competition! There are only two rounds of semifinals, and only three acts will move forward to the finale in each round. Who rose to the occasion? Who joined Billy & Emily England, Sainted Trap Choir, the Ramadhani Brothers, and Sofie Dossi in the finale? Read on to find out!
After Matthew Berry recapped the first half of AGT: Fantasy League and throwing back to Terry Crews, it was time to get down to business. Team Howie’s Kristy Sellars returned for her chance to perform in the finale. She designed a routine around her son, Ollie, who has autism. Kristy is a powerful storyteller, and I loved the virtual effects she incorporated into her performance. In addition, her athletics have greatly improved since AGT: Season 17. It was a great start to the evening. B+
Loren Allred returned to the AGT: Fantasy League stage to claim her spot in the finale. The “Never Enough” performer delivered a knockout rendition of “Over the Rainbow” that transported audiences to Oz. I got goosebumps from this masterclass performance! A
AGT: All-Stars Winner and Team Heidi member Aidan Bryant continued to search for another championship. The self-taught aerialist delivered several jaw-dropping stunts that had him swing across the stage with fire erupting from the stage. It was one of his personal best performances. It also featured a shocking ending as Mel B stole Aidan from Heidi’s dream team. A-
Team Heidi’s Enkh-Erdene decided to perform a song out of his pocket. The song was “Always on My Mind,” and it was another strong performance. I loved that Enkh-Erdene showed off his vulnerability. B
Anna DeGuzman nearly had a brain fart during her Qualifiers performance but outlasted the Clairvoyants and Cillian O’Connor. She decided to take a risk and return to closeup magic and playing cards. I loved how Anna could access Terry’s money and transform $1 into several $100 bills. While a pacing problem and Mel B was getting confused, I thought that Anna recovered nicely. B
The Vardanyan Brothers decided to raise their performance to the next level as they added height to their semifinal routine. The Team Mel B members performed a high-stake balancing act while the platform wobbled multiple times, and auditable screams were heard as the platform lowered. Next, they approached the Judges’ Desk with knives and a blindfold. While one brother tied it on the other member, they put the blades in their mouths and performed one last balancing trick, which they missed and left both their mentor and Simon concerned as they went for the second attempt. After Howie nearly left the stage, the brothers performed their final trick again; this time, they succeeded. This was one of the most dangerous and nerve-wracking performances in franchise history, but well done, Vardanyan Brothers. A+
The Ghetto Kids had to follow the Vardanyan Brothers. I am still not over that this group took out the Clairvoyants. Tonight, Mel B advised her proteges to go back to basics. While they did a good job putting on a show, I would have buzzed them tonight. I was not connected with them as I was during their BGT performances. C
Kodi Lee has become one of the Got Talent legends, and once again, he performed another original song: “The Journey of You and I.” This song was about his journey with his mom, Tina. Once again, Kodi Lee gave me chills with his powerful musicianship. He knocked it out of the park and joined Team Howie. By receiving his second Golden Buzzer, Kodi joins V.Unbeatable, Alfredo Silva, Detroit Youth Choir, and Sofie Dossi in the two-time Golden Buzzer club. A+
Preacher Lawson is the only comedian to compete on AGT: Fantasy League. His set dealt with family, and before Preacher performed, his mom shared that despite his dad abandoning his family, he overcame numerous obstacles to get to where he is. He revealed that he was single and that his mom was the fastest person on the slip n’ slide. I loved the set and cannot wait to see what the Preacher will do next. A-
Team Simon’s The Pack Drumline concluded the first round of semifinals. Tonight, I would have buzzed the Pack Drumline. It looked like they stole Recycled Percussion’s playbook, and I was bored by the performance. D+
This week’s Top Three were The Vardanyan Brothers, the Pack Drumline (REALLY?), and Loren Allred!
Third Place – The Vardanyan Brothers (ARE YOU SERIOUS?)
Second Place- Loren Allred (This is not good!)
First Place – The Pack Drumline (WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, AUDIENCE)?
Next week, Heidi and Simon reveal their final Golden Buzzer picks during AGT: Fantasy League’s second week of semifinals!
