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
After weeks of endless auditions, unnecessary clip shows, and seven Golden Buzzer acts, America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 18 went live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium!
Tonight, 11 acts faced off to earn America’s votes! Which performers rose to the occasion and delivered an impeccable performance? Did any of the acts receive the judges’ (Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum) ire and receive the dreaded buzzer? Who is on their way to earn one of the two spots for the Season 18 finale? Read on to find out!
Author’s Note: Now that we are in the Live Rounds. I will give out letter grades to each act, which I started in 2012 when I first started covering the NBC talent competition.
Once Terry made his Grand Entrance and Simon added that if the acts do well on this show, they will do well in the real world. True Villains had the opportunity to open the show. Tonight, they performed an original song, which at this point, is a risky move. Sadly, the original did not connect with me. They should have done something with “Shivers” or “Last Night.” C
10-year-old Lambros Garcia received a lot of bullying because of his passion for dance. Tonight, he did his routine to Todrick Hall’s “Vogue Zone,” and I have to say that Lambros is talented and very entertaining, but my problem is that he is not a $1 million act…yet. Give him a couple of years and perhaps a group of backing dancers; he would provide much entertainment. C+
Country music singer-songwriter Mitch Rossell’s life changed after his original song, “Son,” reached the top of the charts. He decided to do another original tune, with his family cheering him on in the audience. I am glad that Mitch brought a band with him to perform. In the beginning, I was a little nervous because it seemed like his voice cracked. I wished he had picked another song because we needed to elevate the evening. C+
I have been waiting to see Oleksandr Leschenko & Magic Innovations again. They planned on telling a Ukrainian folk tale and faced technical difficulties before performing in front of America. They did not disappoint! This performance was truly a Vegas show! We now have a competition! A+
I am not a massive fan of animal acts – so I would have buzzed Adrian and Hurricane before their routine started. F
The Sainted Trap Choir’s dreams came true when the AGT judges selected them to perform on the Season 18 Live Shows. Dressed in Barbicore Pink, this choir delivered a superb performance that featured excellent vocals and choreography. B+/A-
12-year-old Brynn Cummings combined mentalism and ventriloquism for excellent results. Even two of her biggest heroes, Terry Fator and Darci Lynne, praised her audition. Brynn roped Heidi into helping Penelope find a new man, which was a lovebird. It was impressive, and Brynn has a bright future ahead of her. A-
Guitarist John Wines surprised the AGT audience with an epic audition. Tonight, he showcased why he was a guitar virtuoso and performed “Pump It” and “The Star Spangled Banner.” While amazed by his technique, I agreed with Simon (who buzzed John) that it was a little lackluster. C+
New York City native Maureen Langan hoped to be the comedian to break the curse and become the first person in her profession to win AGT. Maureen’s material included her sister giving her a breadmaker, “stitch and bitch” societies, and getting $17K for a gig about menopause. She was hysterical, and I hope we see more of her for years to come. A-
Ray Wold and his mom had one of the most dangerous auditions in show history. Now, the mother and son daredevil duo returned to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium stage for a chance for $1 million. It was wild and shocking. I was so nervous for both of them. I wished that Howie had waited until after the act to buzz because that made me uneasy. B (for Bravery)
Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer act, singer Lavender Darangelo, closed out the evening. She tackled Mariah Carey’s cover of Foreigner’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” for her chance to become the AGT: Season 18 champion. Lavender gave an impeccable performance that gave me chills. A-
Tomorrow night, several of AGT: Superstars acts will provide the entertainment as TWO ACTS ADVANCE to the AGT: Season 18 finale!
