AGT is back! Last week, NBC’s long-running talent competition returned to the airwaves. Tonight, more acts entered the Pasadena Civic Center for their chance at the show’s signature $1 million prize. Which acts advanced to the next round? Whose dreams were dashed thanks to a buzzer from the panel (Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel)? Which act will join the Northwell Health Nurses Choir at the Dolby Theatre live shows? Read on to find out!
The Beyond Belief Dance Company strutted out to the AGT stage to start out the night. The young ladies were joined by their instructor, Justin Johnson, who many RuPaul’s Drag Race fans might know as drag superstar Alyssa Edwards. After a brief introduction by Edwards, the girls began their routine to Todrick Hall’s “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels.” I thought the girls did a good job executing Alyssa’s choreography and showcased a lot of personality. The judges gave the girls a standing ovation. Simon called the girls “sensational,” and Sofia called it “out of this world.” Howie added that they were “fierce,” and Heidi called it “perfection.” The girls received the night’s first unanimous “Yes.”
Unicycle dance group UniCircle Flow traveled from Japan to make their AGT debut. I was very impressed with the quartet, and their choreography made my jaw drop. The judges gave them a standing ovation, and Heidi loved their choreography and called it “incredible.” Simon called them “the most unique act that he has seen in AGT history.” They received the second “Yes” of the evening.
It was a battle of boybands – Larger Than Life versus Korean Soul. Larger Than Life Band was a four-piece boyband that performed with Joey Fatone and Lance Bass. The group sang a mash-up of “Larger Than Life” and “Tearing Up My Heart.” The group’s energy was there, but their vocals were not. Larger Than Life’s dreams were dashed with three buzzers from Simon, Heidi, and Howie. Simon advised them to disband, and the guys vowed: “that they would not stop.”
As Larger Than Life left the stage with disappointment, the South Korean boyband entered the stage. The group delivered fantastic vocals with their interpretation of KC and Jojo’s “All My Life.” I loved their harmonies and Howie, Heidi, and Sofia gave them a standing ovation. Sofia called them – a great group. Simon added “one of the best auditions that they have seen all day.” Korean Soul did receive four “Yeses.”
47-year-old escape artist Matt Johnson talked to his wife before going onto the AGT stage. He performed a dangerous routine that landed him in the emergency room. However, he wanted to prove to the world that he could do it. Matt was put inside of the straightjacket and turned upside down to escape two circular saws. My jaw dropped throughout the entire time, and thankfully, he escaped. Sofia called it “brilliant,” and he left Howie speechless. Matt received a set of four “Yeses.”
Magician Patrick Kun performed close-up magic. He brought out a deck of cards with him. Simon unwrapped the deck and Patrick removed both the Jokers and ad cards. He gave all four judges – the Aces and asked them to autograph the cards. I loved the invisible to visible card trick that was very intriguing. Sofia called the performance “MINDBLOWING,” while Simon stated that Patrick was the reason he believed in magic. Patrick moved onto the next round with four “Yeses.”
I thought Johnny Showcase was going to be a joke act. But he proved me wrong. Johnny and his team made me laugh hard. Simon called them “annoying at first but brilliant,” but Sofia called it a “surprise.” The judges voted them through to the next round.
The Curtis Family C-Notes brought AGT to the Sixties and Seventies. The band gave me chills for the first time tonight with their excellent cover of Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made to Love Her” I loved their arrangement and harmonies. All four judges gave them a standing ovation, and Simon thanked them for coming on the show. The family headed back to San Francisco with four yeses.
French Canadian duo Les Beaux Freres entered the AGT stage and then removed their clothes. This duo is well-known in the Got Talent community for its towel antics and pushing the nudity line. Les Beaux Freres made all four judges laugh with their routine that included leaving one member completely nude and forcing him to hold a washcloth and embarrassingly walk across the stage. As all four judges gave them a standing ovation, Terry admitted he saw “EVERYTHING” backstage. Howie loved it and did not want them “to throw in the towel,” while Heidi loved their humor. The duo received four “Yeses.”
Stand-up comedian Gina Brillon worked multiple jobs for her chance to perform on comedy stages. The Bronx, New York comic’s inspiration was her newborn son. Her material made me laugh so hard regarding her Midwestern husband and revealed that she has an identical twin sister. Sofia called the performance a “surprise,” while Simon felt like they had a conversation with them. Gina got four “Yeses” from the judges.
Singer Nightbirde was the last act of the night. Nightbirde walked onto the AGT stage and revealed that she was dealing with cancer. She sang an original song called “It’s Okay.” Her voice reminded me of a blend of Ellie Goulding and Lana Del Rey. It was a moving song, and Howie called it – the most authentic moment of the season. Simon decided to give Nightbirde – his Golden Buzzer.
Next week, the AGT: Season 16 auditions continue!
