Heidi Klum is the last “AGT” judge to press the Golden Buzzer. Did she do it tonight? (Photo & graphic property of NBC & SYCO Television)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
It’s Week Five of the America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 12 Judges’ Auditions!
This season, numerous acts have impressed Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel! But, only singers Christian Guardino and Mandy Harvey, ventriloquist Darci Lynne Farmer, and light up dance crew Light Balance are the only acts to receive the precious Golden Buzzer from Howie, Simon, Mel B, and new host Tyra Banks respectfully.
Only Heidi Klum is the only AGT on-camera personality that has not pressed the game-changing device. Did she push it tonight? Read on to find out!
As the Judges arrived at the Pasadena Civic Center in their banana mobile, 15-year-old Brooklyn, New York native Henry Richardson was the first act of the night. He was inspired by several AGT alumni to pursue the craft. The longtime fan of AGT wanted to achieve his dream of performing in front of “as many people as possible and make them happy.” Henry approached the Judges’ table and asked Mel B to assist him with his act. He asked Mel B to sign on a playing card (the six of spades to be specific). While Mel B isolated her card, Henry picked out his own playing card (the Jack of Diamonds) and used the Golden Buzzer as a transporter to potentially switch both of their cards. Mel B was shocked when she held the Jack of Diamonds and swore that her hand did not move. Next, Henry turned his attention to Simon and brought out one of his notepads from school. Henry showed him a dozen doodles and asked the Got Talent creator to pick out an image from the notebook. Once Simon picked out the picture, Henry transported it on top of Mel B’s signed playing card. As Simon revealed that he picked out a soccer ball, Henry asked Mel B to tear the card in half, and the image of the soccer ball was on the card! Simon called Henry—“a little Harry Potter,” while Heidi loved his presentation and confidence. Howie added Henry a shining example of the AGT audience. Henry received the first unanimous “Yes” of the evening.
The Masqueraders have been performing together for over 40 years, and this trio has not stopped dreaming of their chance to shine. The guys performed a brilliant cover of Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come, absolutely ” and they were some of the best performers I have seen so far this season. Simon called them brilliant and joined the others in voting them through to the next round.
One of the most entertaining auditions of the night came from Virginia native and sheriff’s deputy Deuanty Diggs. Deputy Diggs showed off his moves to the AGT judges and the audience as he grooved to Demi Lovato’s “Confident.” While the judges first laughed at the dance routine, all four of them promptly brought Deputy Diggs’ performance to an end by hitting their buzzers. Mel B stated that Deputy Diggs was “a nice guy,” but his routine was way below the season’s standard. Simon suggested that the Virginia police officer needed better choreography and that Mel B should help him out. The Got Talent creator added that she was successful without being able to dance. A fuming Scary Spice threw the contents of her Dunkin’ Donuts cup at Simon.
Flint, Michigan native Johnny Manuel experienced the fame and fortune as “Lil Johnny,” when he was 14-years-old and had the opportunity to work with *NSYNC, Jermaine Dupri, and Bow Wow until his record label dropped him. My jaw dropped when he tackled Whitney Houston’s most challenging song: “I Have Nothing.” He made Whitney proud, and I loved his vibrato! Howie, Heidi, and Mel B gave him a standing ovation, while Simon stated that Johnny could sell a song. Johnny received his redemption in the form of four “Yeses” as he moved on to the next round.
Circus act Sirqus Alfon delivered an intriguing routine that was very reminiscent of the Three Stooges. As they created comedy on the Pasadena Civic Center stage floor, Simon buzzed the group and told them during the judges’ feedback that it was the worst thing he ever saw on AGT, but Howie, Mel B, and Heidi overruled him and voted them back to the next round!
Atlanta-based singing group Final Draft took the Pasadena Civic Center audience by storm with their superb rendition of James Brown’s “It’s A Man’s World.” Their main singer was spectacular, and the trio’s doo-wop harmonies were impeccable! I got chills from watching this performance, and I believe they could be this season’s Linkin’ Bridge. Howie gave them a standing ovation and told them that after tonight their lives would never be the same again, while Mel B praised their talent and stated that they have something special. Simon loved their passion, dedication, and ambition. He also added that this could be the start of something brilliant. All four judges gave them “Yeses” and sent them to Judges’ Cuts.
A trio of artists came together to bring multimedia gurus Oskar and Gasper’s vision to life. They asked Heidi to assist them. Heidi changed into an all-white costume, and all of the sudden was digitally morphed into her fellow judges, different animals, the Sun, and the human body. The act received a standing ovation from Howie, Mel B, and Simon. As Heidi walked back to her seat, Simon called it “sensational” and the most original thing that he ever saw on AGT. While Heidi did not see what happened, the AGT audience screamed loud and helped her vote “Yes!”
The final act of the night belonged to 52-year-old singer Carlos de Antonis. He performed one of the opera world’s biggest arias: “Nessun Dorma.” I thought I was watching Paul Potts audition for Britain’s Got Talent. Carlos’ vocals were extremely surprising and I thought that he swallowed both Pavarotti’s ghost and Andrew de Leon! He received the rare four-judge standing ovation! Carlos’ audition will be one of the best auditions from the past four seasons and I believe that the best is yet to come for Carlos!
