Terry, Howie, Heidi, Sofia, and Simon react to a performance during a taping of an AGT: Season 19 live show. (Photo property of NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
And then there were 12… Over the past few weeks, dozens of acts returned to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to win over America’s Got Talent (AGT) fans for their chance to win the show’s signature grand prize: $1 Million.
Tonight, the 12 semifinalists competed for their chance to join the Live Golden Buzzer finalists, AIRFOOTWORKS, Dee Dee Simon, Hakuna Matata Acrobats, and Sebastian and Sonia, in next week’s Season 19 finals. Who rose to the occasion? Did any judge (Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum) buzz an act?
Read on to find out…
After Terry revealed that the semifinalists had earned over a billion online views, Heidi Klum’s second Golden Buzzer act, singer Pranysqua Mishra, opened the night. I am glad her grandmother saw her perform on the semifinal stage. However, I thought the song she chose, “High Hopes” by Panic! At The Disco, was wrong. I felt that she sounded flat. C-
Dentist by day, aerialist by night, Kelsey Jane made it to the AGT: Season 19 semifinals. She has incredible upper body strength, but I did not connect with her routine to “Gravity.” Yes, she has beautiful aerial movements, but I was not entertained. D+
Alex Sampson got to perform at the US Open. Tonight, he performed another original song, and I wanted to buzz him immediately. There were so many sour notes that my eardrums bled. I wished that he performed a Bieber, Mendes, or Sheeran song. I cannot believe that America voted him through to this round. F
I love Young-Min, and I was excited that he made it to the Season 19 semifinals. The South Korean magician had a Copperfield-esque entrance, and I loved how he incorporated a small light that functioned as a drone and incorporated quick change. B+/A-
Ashes and Arrows is an act that I fell in love with at the auditions, and they have continued to grow from strength to strength. Their song tonight made me smile, and they took me to church. No matter what happens, I believe the trio has a bright future in the country music industry. A
I like Roni Sagi and Rhythm, but we already had Adrian and Hurricane. Seeing them win over Anna DeGuzman and the Ramadahni Brothers last season gave me a sour taste. While they are talented, there are plenty of other acts that I would provide a spot for in the AGT: Season 19 finale. C
Reid Wilson is not one of my favorite performers remaining in the competition. However, I was impressed with his take on Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” There was a hint of Jordan Smith and Calum Scott’s greatness with his vocals. B
Heidi Klum’s first Golden Buzzer act, Richard Goodall, has become one of the most talked about acts of the season. The singer received a hero’s welcome from his community, and Simon challenged him to sing a song that no one expected him to sing. I did not have “Eye of the Tiger” on my BINGO card, but I loved the A cappella opening and the fact that he incorporated a band into the performance. All that was missing was Sabrina Bryan and Mark Ballas dancing the Paso Doble to Richard’s performance. A
I was saddened when Terry revealed that his Golden Buzzer act, comedian Learnmore Jonasi, was the only comedy act to make it to the AGT: Season 19 semifinals. There should have been at least one more comedian in the competition. Learnmore’s set dealt with The Lion King, as its actors were American, and Jeremy Irons’s portrayal of Scar and wanting to live as a dog in America. I hope he makes it to the finale! A
Simon Cowell’s last Golden Buzzer act standing, Sky Elements, paid tribute to their founder’s late daughter, Briley. I was in awe of their storytelling, and once again, Sky Elements gave me chills. A+
Quick change artist and one of AGT: Season 19’s most viral acts, Solange Kardinaly, closed out the evening! While she was robbed of the Golden Buzzer, Solange delivered a knockout performance that showcased spectacular quick change magic. B+
Tomorrow night, the AGT: Season 19 Finalists Will Be Revealed!
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I don’t know if you’re aware, but vocals sound very different on TV than they do when you’re live in the room. I truly don’t know if you know this or not because I don’t know much about you at all. What I do know, is before you decided to make your amateur opinions publicly-known, you had a moral obligation to consider the responsibility that comes with that.
You’re not talking about inanimate objects or even a dog. You’re talking about human beings with lives, hearts, and reputations who have had the guts to put themselves out there – not for your entertainment, though I’m sure you see it that way – but to actually DO something with their lives as opposed to others who simply talk and talk and talk. It’s easy to run your mouth. Be careful what you say. You’re entitled to your opinions, but don’t be so needy for attention that you feel you’re also entitled to making those opinions known – there are consequences to the things we put online. Maybe not for you necessarily, but for the people you’re talking about – there are. Sending you this message is giving you a bit more credit than you probably deserve, but I thought I would try and assume that you’re a decent guy who is very ill-informed, unfortunately, has the Internet.
Hi Abigail! Thank you for taking time to read the article. I appreciate it. I have been covering AGT since 2012 and if I do not like an act, I just tell it like it is. Which performers do you think I am being too harsh on?