Howie, Heidi, Sofia, and Simon interact with an act during a taping of AGT: Season 18 Judges’ Auditions. (Photo property of NBC’s Casey Durkin)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
America’s Got Talent (AGT)’s eighteenth season continues to deliver memorable auditions! As the NBC talent competition series enters its fourth week, we have seen two Guinness World Records attempts (with one success), several international performers make their American television debuts, and three Golden Buzzer acts.
Tonight, more hopefuls stepped onto the AGT stage. Which acts impressed the judges (Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum)? Did anyone get four red Xs? Which act joined Chioma and the Atlanta Drum Academy, Mzansi Youth Choir, and Putri Ariani in the Season 18 live shows thanks to the Golden Buzzer? Read on to find out!
After the judges walked into the Pasadena Civic Center audience and took a photo at the desk, El Invertebrado spooked the entire crowd when he appeared. I am not a fan of horror acts, and I would have buzzed the contortionist midway through the performance. Somehow, he made the entire AGT Judges Panel and the Pasadena Civic Center audience stand up with delight. Sofia called it “beautiful and horrific simultaneously,” while Heidi revealed that despite almost peeing herself, she loved the routine. He received the first four “Yeses” of the evening.
After getting encouragement from Terry Crews, the Freedom Singers walked onto the AGT stage. The group came from Skid Row in Los Angeles and met through the Los Angeles Community Action Network’s arts program. The group gave me the most robust case of goosebumps with their haunting version of Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ “Under the Bridge.” What a powerful group! The group got a standing ovation from the entire crowd and made Heidi emotional. Simon called their performance “brilliant” and loved their chemistry. They received the second set of “Four Yeses” of the evening!
The Warrior Squad traveled from India to audition for AGT. Their audition was the group’s first time in America, and the performers ranged from 14 to 30-year-olds. I was impressed by their stunt work and athleticism and got V.Unbeatable vibes. All four received a massive ovation from the audience. Sofia called them “amazing,” while Heidi loved their choreography. Simon added that they were like “a machine, ” revealing that the group received 4,000 Yeses.
Singer-songwriter Dani Kerr has had a passion for music since a very young age but did not pursue it until six years ago. I loved hearing her unique voice and joined the audience in booing Simon after he asked for a second song. For her redemption song, Dani sang an original called “November.” Okay, maybe Simon was right! I loved Dani’s husky vocals, and a star-quality aura surrounded her. Heidi joined the Pasadena Civic Center audience in giving Dani a standing ovation. Simon called her a great songwriter and declared Dani – one of his favorite voices of the year. Dani received the third set of “Four Yeses” of the night.
The first joke act of the evening came in the form of Poose the Puppet. Unfortunately, the judges did not warmly receive the alien, and Poose (Simon, Sofia- who also pressed Heidi’s buzzer and Howie) and the alien cursed Simon. The curse worked as Terry revealed that Simon had lost his voice and could not speak, leaving Sofia as his translator, which created some magical moments. Joy Brooker made the Got Talent creator smile when she performed One Direction’s “That’s What Makes You Beautiful.”
7-year-old Eseniia Mikheeva is cute and has a great rapport with Sofia. She revealed that Simon was her favorite judge (because he whispered into his microphone). Eseniia made my jaw drop; she reminded me of BGT fan favorites, the Ghetto Kids, as both acts blew me away with their choreography and talent, which can almost ellipse their older peers. Eseniia received a standing ovation from all four judges and the Pasadena Civic Center audience. Sofia proclaimed that Eseniia was a “mini star,” Howie praised her parents, who were with Terry backstage with Eseniia’s stuffed dog Linda. After she grabbed Linda, Heidi added that she loved her tricks and facial expressions. Simon had Sofia translating for him due to the former losing their voice, and she failed three times to say, “In it to win it!” Eseniia earned four Yeses!
The dance troupe Murmuration traveled from France to audition for AGT. This 65-member dance team was the largest group in the category to ever audition for the show. They took the Mayyas playbook and elevated it to a whole level of excellence. The synchronized choreography was sharp and precise, and the group made my jaw drop several times. Both Howie and Sofia joined the audience in the standing ovation. Howie was so impressed that he tried to attempt their choreography as he gave them his Golden Buzzer, which was an excellent decision.
Meanwhile, Maureen Langan did a phenomenal job with her material, including roasting a man bun-wearing driver and trying not to be a self-conscious cougar. Her jokes made me cackle, and she received a standing ovation from the audience. Sofia stated that Simon commented that Maureen’s material was fearless. Howie added that they loved her rhythm and attitude. Maureen received “four yeses” and a massive cheer from the Pasadena Civic Center audience.
Anna DeGuzman had the goal of being the first female magician to headline Las Vegas. She revealed to Terry that AGT icon Shin Lim was her inspiration and told Sofia she wanted to inspire other girls to pursue the art form. Anna’s presentation was fantastic, and I loved how she incorporated the Judges into the audition. Anna is one of the best magicians this season and is a frontrunner in her category. She received four “Yeses” and jumped for joy when she ran into Terry backstage.
35-year-old Thomas Vu concluded the evening by solving a Rubik’s Cube. Once Terry finished scrambling the Rubik’s Cube, Thomas revealed that he solved it as he was LIT ON FIRE! That was an explosive way to end the evening. I admire the bravery, but simultaneously it was so stupid! He received three “Yeses” despite Sofia voting “No.”
Next week, the AGT: Season 18 Judges’ Auditions continue!
Check out my Top 20 AGT Acts of All-Time!
