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) returned from their Independence Day hiatus for a sixth round of Judges’ Auditions!
Tonight, a new set of hopefuls entered the Pasadena Civic Auditorium stage to impress judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum. Who received the magical set of four “Yeses”? Which acts received a buzzer? Meanwhile, did either Heidi or Sofia pick the Golden Buzzer act, who will join Putri Ariani, the Mzansi Youth Choir, Murmuration and Chioma and the Atlanta Drum Academy in the Season 18 Live Shows? Read on to find out!
After Howie and Heidi got a chance to meet 14-year-old dancer, Mariandrea, one of the acts performing backstage, the Mexico native had the chance to reunite with them on stage. The dancer wanted to inspire the next generation of women. Her routine to “Mad World” made my jaw drop as she inserted contortion into her piece. What a fantastic audition! She received the first standing ovation of the evening, and Sofia declared it “spectacular!” Simon added that she was unbelievably talented. Mariandrea received the first unanimous “Yes” of the evening.
The 82nd Airborne Chorus marched onto the AGT stage. After speaking with the judges, the North Carolina-based chorus revealed they dedicated their performance to their fallen comrades. The group performed an A capella cover of The Temptations’ “My Girl.” I got chills from their audition, and they moved me to tears. Howie loved their song choice and sound, while Heidi loved their harmonization. Sofia commented that their performance differed significantly from what they had seen this season. The audience gave them a standing ovation after receiving their “Four Yeses.”
Magician Artem Shchukin seemed gobsmacked when he faced the AGT judges and audience. I liked his Addams Family approach to magic; his routine made me smile. His manic performance received “Four Yeses.”
MOS is a four-piece brass act that traveled from Japan to audition for the NBC talent competition. For their AGT audition, the group delivered a fiery cover of Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj’s “Bang Bang,” bringing the entire Pasadena Civic Auditorium audience to its feet. They were also the first act to make me dance this season! Howie loved their choreography and song choice, while Sofia called them: “Fantastic!” The quartet received the latest set of “Four Yeses.”
Dance acts were getting a lot of “Four Yeses” as solo dancer 40 Pounds and groups Let It Happen and the Zoo received them. Oswaldo Colina hoped to impress the judges with his finger puppetry. Just his last encounter with Simon on Britain’s Got Talent, Oswaldo got buzzed by the Got Talent creator along with Howie and Heidi. He only received one “Yes” from Sofia Vergara.
Kiss Cam invaded the AGT auditions before Trent Toney walked on the stage. The 30-year-old firefighter revealed that he used to be married and stated that he was in love with his ex-wife. The audience screamed at Trent to call his ex-wife, Faith, and Heidi joined Trent on stage. After Heidi grabbed Trent’s phone, he sang an original song about his ex. Trent has a superb voice that reminds me of Thomas Rhett and Charlie Puth, and is an excellent songwriter. Simon and Howie joined the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in the standing ovation, and I agree with the Got Talent creator that Trent was brave to audition. Trent received four “Yeses” from the judges and a hug from Heidi. Sadly, Trent and his ex are still not together.
The AGT crew moved a massive booth onto the stage, and the Cowbelles emerged. Sofia dreaded the puppets mouthing: “Oh no, puppets!” The quartet sang an “Andrews Sisters” version of Britney Spears’s “Toxic” that buzzed too early after Puppet Simon emerged. The Cowbelles became background singers as Puppet Simon sang Queen’s “Somebody to Love.” I grinned from ear to ear during that fantastic audition. Howie gave the group a standing ovation, while Sofia admitted that she could not see this act on the show. Puppet Simon and the Cowbelles received “Three Yeses” from the judges.
Duo Desire had one goal in mind when they auditioned for AGT – to perform in the AGT Superstars Las Vegas show. I loved their steamy routine and their death-defying stunts. The duo got the latest set of “Four Yeses.” I see them as front runners in the danger act category.
Sisters Presley and Taylor came from a large Italian family and wanted to become country music superstars. They tried to use AGT as a launching pad. The duo wrote their original material and invited their band to join them. I loved the sisters and thought they were good. However, the judges did not enjoy the performance and gave them “Four Nos.” I disagreed with their verdict and believe in time that the judges will regret passing on Presley and Taylor.
I could not watch Andrew Stanton. It was disgusting, and I would have given him an “X.”
Singer Lavender Darcangelo closed out the evening! Lavender revealed that despite being blind and autistic, her main goal was to develop a school for kids to pursue their passions. She sang the late Irene Cara’s “Out Here on My Own,” and Lavender gave me chills. Simon praised the audition and said it was “amazing.” Heidi declared herself to be Lavender’s number one cheerleader and pressed the Golden Buzzer for her!
Next week, the AGT Judges Auditions continue!
