Howard, Heidi, Mel B and Howie traveled to San Antonio and New Orleans to find the best in undiscovered talent. (Photo courtesy of NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar
Last week marked a new era for America’s Got Talent as Mel B and Heidi Klum joined Howie Mandel and Howard Stern for the best-undiscovered talent in the country.
Did they find duds or diamonds in the rough? Read on to find out!
Georgia native Travis Pratt kicked off the show with a surprising rendition of “O Mio Babbino Caro.” His performance of this classic opera aria surprised everyone and had shades of Barbara Padilla and Andrew De Leon’s classic auditions. He received a standing ovation from Howard, Howie and Heidi. The judges asked him who put him to the task of coming to San Antonio and he introduced them to his girlfriend of five years. Before the judges gave their result, Travis proposed and his girlfriend said: “Yes.” He also received a ticket to Vegas.
Sibling rivalry took center stage as two Untouchables alums took the stage. Up first were nine-year-old Ruby and her partner, 10-year-old Jonas. They lit the stage on fire and they would remind viewers of watching Mark Ballas and Julianne Hough in action. Mel stated that she loved the way they moved their hips, while Heidi did not want the routine to end. They earned four yeses.
D’Angelo and Amanda were the next couple to take the stage. While they inserted comedy into their routine, D’Angelo and Amanda’s movements would remind dance lovers of Ryan and Ashleigh Di Lello (due to them being a couple, even though they deny feelings for each other). Howard said that they were why he was in San Antonio, while Mel B added that she was thoroughly entertained. They also received a unanimous “Yes” from the judges.
While the show was in San Antonio, Texas, Howard stated to Howie backstage that he did not like Mariachi bands. Hoping to change his mind was Mariachi Nuevo Estillo AVM. Instead of turning out the traditional Mariachi sound, the band performed a remix of “Low” and “I’m Sexy and I Know It.” Mel B stated that she loved the twist and Howie thanked the band for completing his mission of making Howard like Mariachi music. They received four “Si’s” from the judges.
53-year-old sword swallower Brad Byers grossed out the audience as he swallowed nine double-edged swords and put them all in his esophagus. However, this was the first time in the season that there needed to be a tiebreaker. Both Howard and Howie were captivated by him and said, “Yes!” Mel B was grossed out and said: “No” and Heidi broke the tie with a “Yes.”
The first magician of the season took the stage. 16-year-old Collins Key made his America’s Got Talent debut by transporting a dollar bill into a popcorn bag. That amazed the judges and sent Collins to the Las Vegas portion of the show.
For the second half of the show, AGT visited New Orleans. 20-year-old Nashville native and ventriloquist Megan Piphus was the first act to take the stage. She had great range and tackled two difficult musical challenges: the late Whitney Houston and an opera aria. She made Terry Fator and the late Shari Lewis very proud. Heidi stated that Megan had star quality and both Howard and Howie became big fans. Megan received the city’s first unanimous “Yes.”
Jonathan Allen faced a rough road before he got to the America’s Got Talent stage. His parents disowned him and kicked him out of their house because he was gay. But little did they know that would lose out on watching their son become a star. Jonathan’s cover of “Time to Say Goodbye” was astonishing and took the audience to the heavens. All four judges and the house gave him a standing ovation. Howie told him that this show has become his family and Mel B stated that Pavarotti would have been proud of his performance. He received a ticket to the Vegas Round.
51-year-old escape artist Alexanderia the Great was the show’s first escape artist of the season. She was locked to eight different chains and her feet were handcuffed. Many people thought that she was not going to make it, but she escaped and performed her act under 1:36. Howie stated that she was the best escape artist he has ever seen. Howard stated that she hit a home run and Mel B thought that she had a great show. Alexanderia won a spot in the Vegas Rounds.
The final danger act of the night belonged to 34-year-old single father Sam Johnson. He climbed a poll that was 80 feet in the air to do a handstand in the air. Sam defied gravity and received a hero’s welcome from the house. All four judges gave him a “Yes!” and received a trip to Yes!
Before the judges headed home, they met 19-year-old singer Paul Thomas Mitchell. He performed “My Life” in honor of his father, who changed his life around to become a better parent. Paul’s voice was fantastic and he would remind people of Jason Mraz. He has a bright future in this competition as he received the final “Yes” of the night.
