Howie, Heidi, Terry, Sofia, and Simon pose together during a taping of AGT: Season 19. (Photo property of NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 19 Judge Auditions entered its fourth week of competition!
Tonight, more acts hoped to impress the judges (Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum). Did any of the acts impress the judges? Who was buzzed out of contention? Did Howie or the ladies use any of their remaining Golden Buzzers to award an act a spot in the Season 19 Live Shows? Read on to find out!
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After Terry and the judges made their entrances, Hyper Kids Africa made their entrance onto the AGT stage. The group interacted with the judges backstage while waiting for Terry to cue them to head to the Judges’ Desk. The group wants to win and use the $1 million prize to build their house and school. Hyper Kids Africa had a challenging task ahead of them as the Ghetto Kids, who appeared on AGT: Fantasy League raised the bar. However, the group reached the bar that the Ghetto Kids set on the spin-off. They received the first standing ovation of the evening, and Howie called it very energetic. Simon was impressed that they crammed a lot of choreography in two minutes. Hyper Kids Africa received the first set of four yeses of the evening!
After Heidi and Sofia took a selfie, a father-son duo, Fluwnt and 11-year-old Inkabee, traveled from Australia to showcase their hip-hop and rap skills. Fluent works as a corrections officer for Australian youth when he is not performing with his son. I was impressed with the father and son duo. Their freestyle put a smile on my face, and they do have the potential to be viral superstars. They received the second standing ovation of the evening, and Howie declared them both “superstars.” Simon added that their audition was “a moment.” They are heading back to Australia with four Yeses!
Everyone has set their sights on Vegas, including Venom Trick Shots, a World Champion in trick shots and billiards. Even though he brought Howie, Heidi, and Terry out to assist, Simon and Sofia buzzed him. Sofia was distracted by Heidi, so she could not see her presentation. Howie praised him for his online performances but thought he needed more time for AGT. Venom Trick Shots received three “No’s.”
I was not a fan of Emotional Brainwaves. It was a waste of time, and I am glad Howie and Heidi buzzed him. He received the first set of four “No’s” of the evening. Meanwhile, Daniel Simu traveled from the Netherlands with his robotic partner to audition. I was surprised by Daniel and his robot as they would be a joke act, but I was thoroughly impressed. Heidi buzzed him while Sofia and the men gave him a standing ovation. Simon called it “hilarious,” and Howie called him “unique and surprising.” Daniel received three Yeses from the judges.
36-year-old Stephanie Rainey traveled to AGT to premiere a new song, “Please Don’t Go,” about losing her deceased nephew. After finding viral success, she could not keep up with the pressure of the music industry and nearly quit. Her friend, Sara, who played the piano and was part of every step of her journey, joined her on stage. Stephanie’s song was powerful, and the lyrics stabbed viewers’ heartstrings. Howie and Simon gave her a standing ovation while Sofia fought back tears. Heidi called it an “extraordinary moment,” and Simon called her original tune the best song he had heard in the season. Stephanie Rainey advanced with 4,000 “Yeses.”
DaksDominoes came from Sioux Center, Iowa, to audition for AGT. The World Record holders had to build their entire act using the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. They used 10,000 dominoes and had the whole audience and judges leave. After setting up the act, the audience returned but had to keep their energy to a minimum because one wrong movement could ruin the entire act. The colorful judges’ entrance was quiet, and Simon even “threatened” to remove Howie from the set. While some paper cups fell, it did not affect the rest of the act. Seeing their hard work was extremely impressive, and the audience loved them. They told Howie they looked forward to breaking a world record if they advanced, while Heidi thought it was not a $1 million act. It took the audience to persuade Heidi to join her fellow judges in advancing them to the next round.
10-year-old Maya Neelakantan traveled to LA via India to audition for AGT. She brought her electric guitar and jammed out to Papa Roach’s “Last Resort.“ Maya delivered a phenomenal guitar performance and received a standing ovation from the entire Pasadena Civic Center audience. Howie predicted that Maya got herself into a viral moment, and Heidi called her “gutsy.“ Simon declared her a “rock goddess” and said it was a career-starting performance. Maya received the magical four Yeses!
Jo De Rijck brought his emotional support chicken, Curry, from Belgium to audition for AGT. Jo brought Curry to the judges and gave an egg to Howie. She correctly predicted Simon’s fear of “Giant Spiders” and found Sofia’s fear of dark oceans. Howie’s egg contained his fear of “drowning,” and Heidi’s fear of flying was not mentioned. I was impressed Jo and Curry, and the duo received four “Yeses” to advance to the next round.
Family singing group L6 traveled from the Philippines to audition for the NBC talent competition. The sextet worked in the fashion and textile industry and hoped to honor their late mother’s dream by performing on the show. The group decided to tackle a monster of a song – Eric Carmen and Celine Dion’s “All by Myself.” Simon stopped them in the middle of a song, which the audience booed. The Got Talent creator wanted them to drop the backing track and sing it as a cappella. Simon’s suggestion worked as I got chills from their voices and omnipotent harmonies. They received a standing ovation from the judges and the audience. Sofia stated that Simon was right and predicted that the viewers would love them. L6 received a unanimous Four Yeses!
17-year-old Zach rounds out the evening! He wanted to perform worldwide and did not have a plan B. Zach was not a solo dancer but a part of a group called Brent Street. This Australian dance troupe blew me away with their intense choreography and explosive moments. It was one of the best dance acts I have seen this decade! They earned Howie Mandel’s first Golden Buzzer of the season and I predict they will be one of the last acts standing!
Next week, the AGT: Season 19 Judges’ Auditions continue!
