The “America’s Got Talent” judges found an abundance of talent in the Windy City. (Photo by NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar
Last night, AGT judges Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Mel B took the show to the Windy City to find the next best thing!
The Omega Force Strength Team kicked the evening off with incredible feats of strength including their oldest member (75-years-old) doing a 300-lbs squat and one of the youngest members breaking 42 walls of concrete with his bare elbows. Howard called them inspirational and Mel B thought that they were entertaining. Unfortunately, Howie just did not get it and stated that they were problems with their presentation and voted “No.” Luckily, Heidi, Mel B and Howard over ruled him and gave them a spot on the Las Vegas Rounds.
Extreme sports seemed to be the theme of the first set of the Chicago auditions as both a Taekwondo quartet and a daddy-daughter stunt duo received the four coveted “Yeses.” Meanwhile, Howie was inspired by all of the lifting so he lifted both Mel B and Heidi off the ground until the latter carried him onto the Judge’s Table.
38-year-old Kenichi Ebira from Tokyo immigrated to America to find a place that je can express himself through dance and was inspired by the “Running Man” dance style. Kenichi not only had fantastic movements, but he was able to tell the Matrix in 90 seconds. He received the first standing ovation of the night. Heidi stated that she had not seen anything like it and Howie proclaimed that he was the best dancer they have seen in Chicago. Kenichi received four “Yeses” from the judges and will be heading to Vegas.
Some people see this show as their last chance to make in the entertainment industry. Hoping that the judges would send her to Vegas was 39-year-old dog rescuer Deanna DellaCioppa. All her life she has been told that she had a great voice, but could not move into the industry because of her weight. DeAnna proved her critics wrong when she performed an outstanding cover of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” that received a standing ovation from the Chicago crowd. Heidi declared her a “powerful woman with a powerful voice” and Howie added that her song was going to change her life. It did as Deanna received four “Yeses” and a spot in the Vegas Rounds.
Hundreds of people from around the world traveled to audition in front of the judges. 43-year-old Chinese immigrant Rong Niu performed a traditional Chinese-balancing act as she successfully balanced a dozen China dishes on a unicycle. She received the show’s second all four judges’ standing ovation and received the “best thing I have seen so far in Chicago” remark from Howard. Rong will be traveling to Vegas to perform in the Callback Rounds.
The final audition of the night belonged to the American Military Spouses Choir. This choir is made up of women whose husbands are currently serving overseas and protecting our country. The choir lifted everyone’s spirits as they performed a touching and moving cover of Diana Ross’s “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” that gave everyone goose bumps and received the final four judge standing ovation of the night. Howie stated that he was overjoyed when he listened to them while Mel B congratulated them in successfully lifting up everyone’s spirits. All of them received four “Yeses” from the judges and will be heading for the Vegas Rounds.
Next week, the auditions continue as the next generation of talent tries to impress the judges!
