By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
It is week three of NBC’s long-running talent competition – America’s Got Talent (AGT). Tonight, a new set of hopefuls hit the Pasadena Civic Center stage! Which acts impressed the judges (Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum)? Did anyone receive the dreaded Red Xs? Which act won the Golden Buzzer and will join saxophonist Avery Dixon and singer Madison Taylor Baez at the Dolby Theatre Live Shows? Read on to find out!
The Brown Brothers (Gabriel and Nate) kicked off the evening’s festivities. The Navy veterans, who also are autistic, instructed the judges to pick a song and celebrity! I loved this idea, and I alternated between laughing and getting chills. I cannot wait to see what they do next! All four judges gave them a standing ovation, and Heidi loved the preciseness of the impressions. The Brown Brothers received the night’s first set of four Yeses.
18-year-old dancer Max Ostler traveled from Australia to compete on AGT. 2022 marked Max’s tenth year dancing, and he wanted to become one of the world’s sought dancer-choreographers. Max is a superb dancer, and he reminded me of the first time I saw Travis Wall audition for So You Think You Can Dance. Sofia gave him a standing ovation, and Simon called Max’s performance: “Magic.” He headed home to Australia with four “Yeses.”
Before the judges headed to the stage, Simon admitted that he would audition for the show as part of a dangerous act. Well, Simon got his wish as Blade 2 Blade took the stage. The brothers unleashed an insane knife duel that shocked the audience. Next, their assistant brought out another set of axes, and they threw them blindfolded. I cringed when they threw the weapons at their spinning assistant. Thankfully, she survived. All four judges gave them a standing ovation, and Sofia hated it because it was so good. Howie loved their speed, and Heidi called it “frightening.” Blade to Blade even invited Simon to join them on stage. As an EMT stood by, Simon went to the stage’s middle, and they successfully pulled off the stunt without hitting the Got Talent creator. They received four Yeses.
Indianapolis, Indiana native Jack Williams walked onto the Pasadena Civic Center stage. He revealed that he was a ventriloquist and complemented Sofia on her ventriloquism skills. Jack was inspired by AGT GOAT Season Two champion Terry Fator to learn the trade. Jack’s friend Foster revealed that this was his plan, and he would showcase his talent: ventriloquism. This performance made me smile, especially the twist that they switched voices. All four judges gave Jack and Foster a standing ovation. Howie called him a fantastic comedian and loved that he poked fun at the art of ventriloquism. Simon called him: “one of the best they ever had.” The TikTok star received four yeses from the judges!
After a duo of devilish dolls received four buzzers and caused a fight on stage. However, it was revealed that one of them was a familiar face to fans. The dancers were America’s Got Talent: Extreme judge Nikki Bella and her sister, Brie! They successfully pranked Simon and the judges!
Polish singer Sara James traveled to AGT. After Simon and Howie revealed their Polish roots, Sara said she was 13 and was inspired to compete after watching several clips. She sang Billie Eilish and Khalid’s “lovely.” She has a stunning voice for her age, reminding me of another Got Talent favorite Angelina Jordan. Howie and the ladies gave her a standing ovation. Simon said she had a “star glow” and gave Sara his Season 17 Golden Buzzer.
Horror act Oleksandr Yenivatov disgusted me, but he earned the respect of the audience (and of me) when they revealed their Ukrainian roots. Simon, who pressed his X earlier, took it back and joined the other judges in voting him through to the next round.
The next day, Terry revealed that Howie was ill, and due to this, the show went back to its classic format – acts need two or three Yeses to advance to the next round. Dance team urbancrew came from the Philippines to impress Simon and the ladies. This routine was fire! My jaw dropped so many times during their performance. Their choreography was impeccable, and their flips were perfectly executed! Urbancrew may be the best dance crew since V.Unbeatable! All three judges joined the Pasadena Civic Center audience by giving them a standing ovation. Sofia called the audition – one of the most amazing things she has seen this season. They got three “Yeses” from the judges.
It took the encouragement from both her father and Terry Crews for Harper to walk out on stage. The 10-year-old’s father, Jake, joined the judges at their desk for her audition. The UK native entered screamo territory, and I laughed the whole time. I loved seeing her father beam at the desk. Heidi called it – “unexpected,” and Sofia declared that she had a monster in her. All three judges gave her a “Yes.”
Hayden Kristal spoke with Terry before she took the AGT stage. She also revealed that it was her mom’s favorite show, and Hayden hoped that Heidi would love her act. Her material focused on her education – zookeeping and American Sign Language, rejected by the Coco Foundation, and asked them how they would handle a gorilla sneaking up on them. Simon was impressed by incorporating her life into a story. The judges gave her three Yeses.
The NFL Players Choir ended the night. The football superstars received a heroes’ welcome from the Pasadena Civic Center audience. The choir credited Patti LaBelle for its origin; this group has performed for St. Jude and other charitable organizations. The choir sang a rousing cover of “Lean on Me” that put a smile on my face. I got chills and got up and danced in my apartment. After the performance, Simon asked them to perform the chorus A cappella, which earned them the final standing ovation of the evening and the final set of three Yeses.
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