By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 17’s Judges’ Auditions are on a roll! Four acts – dance group Mayyas, saxophonist Avery Dixon, and singers Madison Taylor Baez and Sara James – received the Golden Buzzer and a trip to perform on the Dolby Theatre stage. The hopefuls auditioned for judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum tonight. Did anyone receive all four buzzers? Did Heidi press the Golden Buzzer? Read on to find out!
Nicolas Ribs was the first act of the night! He walked onto the AGT stage accompanied by his daughter, Emma. Heidi correctly deduced that they were French based on their accents. Emma would be translating her father – who performed magic for the Pasadena Civic Center audience. He abandoned his longstanding career of working with hearing aids to perform magic. Emma revealed she was a massive superfan of the NBC talent competition and encouraged him to audition. After his daughter left the stage, Nicolas performed intriguing close-up magic. I was impressed with his ability to bring objects out of the screen and how he was able to bring out all four Aces and the miniature Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty. All four judges gave him a standing ovation, and I believe that Nicolas could be a frontrunner in the magic category. Heidi loved his interpretation of magic, while Howie thought he made the right decision to pursue his passion. He received four “Ouis.”
39-year-old Keegan, the Bicycle Comedian, brought his bike to his audition. Unfortunately, his bicycling-themed material received all four buzzers. When I first saw Mr. Pants, I thought he would immediately receive an “X.” The Brooklyn, New York native, made me laugh with his material, including inheriting his father’s jeans and being involved with the Banana Republic. Heidi and Sofia gave a standing ovation, winning over Simon with his “silly funny” routine. Mr. Pants received four “Yeses” from the judges.
I smiled when I saw Mia Morris on the screen. She appeared on my podcast last November, and I know that she has the potential to go far on this show. Mia began by recording beatboxing, a bass solo, and an electric guitar solo before heading to her drum set. Howie called her “a star,” while Heidi loved her one-woman show! Before receiving her four “Yeses,” Simon called her a genius! I cannot wait to see what Mia does on her AGT journey!
Chiko traveled from Spain to showcase his talent. Using various equipment, he climbed to the top of the Pasadena Civic Center stage and built a giant balancing tower with his assistant (revealed to be his brother)’s help. My jaw dropped after he barely missed Sofia and Heidi’s Xs. But he kept making the tower that included two giant knives. That was one death-defying stunt and received a standing ovation from Howie and the ladies! They received four “Si’s.”
Simon was in a bad mood over the past two segments that had the Pasadena Civic Center audience boo him! 23-year-old Connor Johnson, who traveled from Hawaii to audition for the show, hoped to lighten the show. I found it troubling that Simon stopped him while covering Lewis Capaldi’s “Forever.” Connor’s second song was an intriguing interpretation of Disclosure and Sam Smith’s “Latch.” I loved seeing the crowd (and Terry) rally behind him and enter swaybot mode as he sang. He received four yeses and the countless adoration of new fans!
Japanese dance troupe MPLUSPLUS brought together engineers and performers to present an act they have been working towards for years. As they performed, it reminded me of the first time I saw Fighting Gravity, iLuminate, Siro-A, and Light Balance audition. Sofia called it “mesmerizing,” and Heidi loved their choreography. They received four “Yeses,” and I hope and pray we see them in the live shows because they have the potential to WIN THIS SEASON!
I love when choirs audition for AGT. The Dremeka (which translates into “dream machine”) Choir wanted to win the show to spread its music worldwide. When I heard them sing, I laughed hard, especially their cover of Britney Spears’s “Toxic.” Unfortunately, Heidi buzzed and stated that no one would be buying their ticket. Sofia and the guys gave them a standing ovation, and the Dremeka Choir revealed that they were the first heavy metal choir on Earth. While Heidi passed on them, Sofia and the guys gave them their three “yeses.”
27-year-old singer-songwriter Lily Meola revealed that she wrote “Daydream” while receiving her highs. Unfortunately, her life was upside down when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, Lily lost her record deal to care for her mother, who succumbed to the disease. Lily has strong vocals, and “Daydream” is an addicting song that could be a chart-topper. All four judges gave her a standing ovation and she immediately fell in love with her. Unfortunately, I am in two minds about this. Lily did receive Heidi’s Golden Buzzer, but I am going to be BLUNT…SHE DID NOT DESERVE IT! She already tasted success and she robbed someone else of this life-changing prize. It should have gone to another performer such as MPLUSPLUS.
Another candidate could have been Kevin Hart-inspired comedian Jordan Conley to audition for AGT. In his audition, Jordan spoke about being unable to keep secrets and snapping at a video game. I laughed so hard and I heard the Pasadena Civic Center audience scream: “GOLDEN! GOLDEN!”
23-year-old opera singer Merissa Beddows represented Yonkers, New York. Merissa instructed Heidi to flip a dice with six of her favorite impressions; as she sang “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in her voice, she asked the supermodel to pick a singer and would continue singing the track in that person’s voice. Merissa’s singing voice is spectacular, and I loved her impersonations of Ariana Grande, Stevie Nicks, and Celine Dion. I adored seeing her creative side when Merissa unleashed Snow White and Siri. If I had the Golden Buzzer, I would have also given it to Merissa. I cannot wait to see what she does next round.
Siegfried Und Joy had the privilege of closing out of AGT. They revealed that they were the first new superstars of magic. I loved this routine from the start. They were hysterical to watch and were amazing comedic magicians. Sofia called them “brilliant” and revealed that she wanted to participate in the act. Simon did not get it, called it stupid, and voted “No.” However, Howie and the ladies gave them the final set of “three Yeses” of the night.
AGT returns July 12!
