AGT: Season 19 Judge Auditions Conclude!

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

The America’s Got Talent: Season 19 Judges Auditions are over!

Over the past few weeks, hundreds of acts traveled to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to audition for judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum. The season’s biggest twist involved the Golden Buzzer, as each judge had the chance to award two Golden Buzzers. The results have been mixed. For every heartwarming moment, such as Richard Goodall (Heidi’s first Golden Buzzer) and Liv Warfield (Simon’s first Golden Buzzer), and the shocking moments, such as Sky Elements (Simon’s second Golden Buzzer) and Brent Street (Howie Mandel’s first Golden Buzzer), there was a moment that infuriated fans – Japanese novelty act Schumacher earning the final Golden Buzzer of the season.

Tonight, the last set of acts hoped to be considered for a spot in the Season 19 Live Shows. Did they receive three or yeses? Were they buzzed out of consideration? Read on to find out!

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The show prepared for the Olympics with an epic torch run that Terry Crews concluded when he walked into the Pasadena Civic Center. Colorado-based Xpogo Stunt Team is hoping to bring pogo sticks into the mainstream and into the Olympics. The extreme pogo athletes delivered high-flying stunts. Howie gave them a standing ovation, while Sofia called the audition “amazing.” The team received the evening’s first set of four “Yeses”!

The acrobatic group Prilepin Quartet came from Russia to audition for AGT. The group performed a routine to Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” I loved their routine from start to finish, and they made my jaw drop multiple times throughout their audition. The quartet received the first four-judge standing ovation of the evening, and Howie called them “amazing.” The group received the second set of four “Yeses” of the evening.

Gymnist Black Peppers delivered one of the weirdest auditions of all time. I would have buzzed them as their act was exposed because his co-workers, who wore black, were exposed. However, the judges disagreed with me and gave them “four yeses.”

A circus performance inspired Haley Viloria to become an aerialist. I was in awe of her performance. The choreography was phenomenal, and the music choice elevated the show. Heidi gave her a standing ovation, but Howie was not feeling the performance. Despite receiving a “No” from Howie, she received three Yeses.

Kelsey Jane is a dentist and became a Miss America contender. However, she loves being an aerialist and wants to pursue her dream. After seeing Haley, Kelsey Jane bored me, and I would have buzzed her. Her routine was boring! I am surprised that the judges gave her a standing ovation. She received four Yeses from the judges.

Singer Journeyy met Howie Mandel backstage, and he told him that Simon was his favorite judge (not Howie or Heidi). Before the performance, Simon revealed that his friend, Leroy, suggested that Journeyy audition, and the production team had already found him and invited him to perform at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. He performed an original song, “Paradise,” and I was impressed with Journeyy. He could be his generation’s Frank Ocean or The Weeknd. Journeyy received a four-judge standing ovation, and Simon called him “good energy.” Journeyy received four “Yeses” from the judges.

Alejandro Licea Pellon FaceTimed with his mom and dad before he met the AGT judges. Once the crew finished setting up his apparatus, Alejandro walked out on stage. The Cuba native turned North Carolina transplant performed a balancing act that began with his assistant throwing items up to him. I loved how some of the equipment lit up with blue lights during the act. He delivered a solid first attempt and had his assistant throw up balancing hammers, and despite a bad start, he recovered and received four “Yeses” for his audition.

When the Lancaster, PA, magician Jonathan Burns walked onto the stage, he reminded me so much of Bobby Bones. He asked Heidi and Sofia to join him. He used American cheese slices instead of cards, which was odd. Heidi hid the cheese in her dress. While Heidi was having fun on stage with Jonathan, it looked like Sofia was having none of his shenanigans. Howie praised his showmanship and comedy, while Heidi declared him “memorable.” Simon, however, did not think that Jonathan could win. Thankfully, Howie, Heidi, and (with persuasion from the audience) Sofia gave him his necessary three Yeses.

Airfootworks, an act that made the 2023 Japan’s Got Talent finals, made their AGT debut. They are Season Eight champion Kenichi Ebina’s students, and they delivered a fiery routine in Justin Bieber’s “Where R U Now?” Just like Kenichi did in his season, Airfootworks’ choreography was spectacular, and they made an impressive first impression. They received a standing ovation from all four judges. Airfootworks has finalist potential.

Comedian Corkey Miller practiced her routine in front of her animal audience. The 63-year-old Tennessee resident trains animals for movies and TV and rescues animals. Her stand-up routine talked about all of the animals that she owns, learning needlepoint and Google search. She made me laugh numerous times and smiled. She has the potential to be a superstar stand-up comedian. Howie gave her a standing ovation, and Heidi called her “very likable.” Corkey received another set of “four Yeses.”

Brooke Bailey tackled the Queen of Soul’s iconic anthem, “Ain’t No Way.“ It was one of the best vocals of the AGT: Season 19 Judges Auditions. I loved her gorgeous tone and vocal range. She made Aretha Franklin proud with her performance. Simon and Heidi gave her a standing ovation, while Sofia called Brooke’s audition “spectacular.“ Brooke received four “Yeses“ and a standing ovation from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium audience. She received four Yeses from the judges.

I wish that AGT had used the world record attempt of wearing the most underwear to give us the judges’ deliberations and start revealing the acts competing in the Season 19 live shows. (Spoiler: They were successful!) 

AGT: Season 19 will take an hiatus for the Olympics and the Live Shows will begin starting August 13!