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
The America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 18 Judges Auditions finally ended!
Tonight was the last chance for performers to prove to judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum that they were worthy of competing for an opportunity to perform at the Season 18 Live Shows. Which acts received a standing ovation? Who received the dreaded four red Xs? Did anyone receive the last Golden Buzzer – the Group Golden Buzzer? Read on to find out!
After Terry revealed that tonight was the final set of Season 18 auditions, a nervous guy in a black t-shirt walked out of the stage. He sang ABBA’s “Take a Chance on Me,” which was not wowing anyone, and Howie already pressed his “X.” However, various audience members and crew members interrupted the judges and, in song, asked them to “Give Him Another Chance.” He did it again with the UCLA Marching Band and Choir. The group revealed that they were Improv Everywhere. Simon was surprised by the audition and declared that he liked the audition. Unfortunately, Howie and Sofia blocked them from entering the competition (which was a horrible decision).
I was so frustrated by both Sofia and Howie that I briefly let my anger take over and missed Duo Dadiva. I thought that they were boring and agreed with Simon and Heidi. However, Heidi bowed to peer pressure and advanced them to the next round.
The disagreements continued as comedian Ahmed Bharoocha (who did not impress Simon) only received three “Yeses,” and dog act Dexter and Daragh (who did not impress Heidi or Howie) received their pink slips from the competition.
Dancer Donovyn Diaz received screams from the audience as he walked onto the AGT stage. He dedicated his audition to his mother, who is battling breast cancer. I loved his solo and choreography. Donovyn is a fabulous dancer and one of the best solo dancers we have this season. Donovyn received the first four-judge standing ovation of the night, and Simon declared him: “a total star.” He received the first unanimous Four Yeses of the evening.
Simon was initially not happy when Papayaso entered the stage. The Chilean clown made a great impression on the legendary David Attenborough, and he mastered the seal-esque Jimmy Fallon. His final impression of Simon was pitch-perfect! Howie and Simon gave him a standing ovation, leaving the Got Talent creator speechless. Papayaso was the second act to receive Four Yeses.
30-year-old Pennsylvania native Heather brought her dog, Bogart, onto the AGT stage. In their pre-performance package, Heather revealed that she and her partner saved Bogart from being euthanized by adopting him. After successfully training him with the help of a pet school, Heather and her partner found a cancerous tumor on one of his legs. While Heather and her partner saved Bogart’s life with amputation, Bogart was a changed dog. Eventually, Bogart overcame his depression and continued his training. Bogart has a lot of energy and is a good performer, but I have reservations about Heather and Bogart as a $1 million Vegas headlining act. However, the duo received four Yeses from the judges!
Comedian Josh Alfred came to AGT from Nigeria. He revealed he was a “speed reader,” which I did not buy. While the audience booed and Sofia buzzed, I disliked him wasting everyone’s time. He received four “No’s.”
Tito Tsai traveled from Taiwan to showcase his talent to the audience. He brought out three giant swords and danced with perfect precision. Next, his wife appeared from behind the stage and added a fourth sword. Tito’s dancing had a certain grace, bringing both Howie and Heidi to their feet. Heidi loved his body control, while Sofia called it spectacular. Tito revealed to the judges that he watched AGT learn how to perform, and Tito received the magical Four Yeses.
Before he faced the judges, the 11-year-old Houston, Texas native Eduardo Antonio Trevino took a photo with Simon. Once he met the judges, he revealed that he was a Mariachi soloist who began his career and idolized the legendary late Vicente Fernández. Once his band took the stage, Eduardo commanded the stage, bringing the crowd to its feet with his powerful voice. Over the years, I have been extremely harsh with youth acts, but I have to say that Eduardo is one of the best youth performers I have ever seen. Like Terry stated from backstage, “Eduardo is a star.” Sofia loved his presence and personality, while Heidi, who gave him a standing ovation, praised his vocals. He received four Yeses from the judges!
Magician Kevin Li is a 25-year-old LA native and revealed that the NBC talent competition strengthened his family’s bonds. He incorporated photos into his act, which he labeled core memories. His act made me laugh as Kevin included a “third eye” and correctly predicted that the judges ate popcorn at the movie theatre. Kevin brought a kernel from his eye and popcorn from the “Core Memories” box. I agree with Howie that Kevin had a career and a life-changing performance. Kevin jumped with joy when he received four Yeses.
Chibi Unity was the final act that the judges saw audition for AGT: Season 18. The Mayyas inspired the Japanese dance crew to audition for the NBC talent competition. I was thoroughly impressed with Chibi Unity as they had electric choreography. Chibi Unity is a Vegas-ready act, and they could be contenders to inherit the Mayyas’ crown. I am so glad that they received the Group Golden Buzzer!
In Two Weeks, the AGT: Season 18 Live Shows Start!!
