Five stars shine on “America’s Got Talent: Season Eight” finale

By: Jacob Elyachar

This…. Is…It!

Thousands of acts auditioned for a chance to change their lives!  Only hundreds were able to face America’s Got Talent judges Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B.

After a rough week in Vegas, 60 acts traveled to New York City to perform on the Radio City Music Hall stage!

Some acts were swallowed whole by the iconic venue but 12 acts were able to make to the Top 12 week.   However, after a few frontrunners were surprisingly eliminated (We wish you performed tonight, KriStef Brothers and Branden James!), six acts remain.

Tonight, they performed for the $1,000,000 prize and a chance to headline this year’s America’s Got Talent tour and Las Vegas show.

Who rocked? Who fizzled? Read on to find out…

Each act performed twice! An encore performance of their best performance and a brand new performance.

Country singer Jimmy Rose performed his original song: “Coal Keeps the Light On.”  This time, he had four band members accompany him.  His decision to perform his original song was a good move.  However, it was bland and boring! D

For his encore performance, Kenichi Ebina revisited his Matrix-inspired audition.  His routine featured contortions and incredible illusions.   Kenichi received a four-judge standing ovation and wowed the crowd.  Howie stated that Kenichi filled the Radio City Music Hall stage and added that he deserved to win and Heidi also added that he was her favorite act of the season! A+

Singer Cami Bradley has come along way since her audition.  She is this year’s dark horse.  For her encore performance, she decided to sing her haunting cover of Cher’s “Believe.” This was her best decision so far.  To up the ante, Cami added a spectacular light show and orchestral tracking.  It was delightful to watch her perform this gem again and I hope that she records this song on her debut album! A

Teen magician Collins Key decided to return to close-up magic.  It is a huge risk because while it would intimate for the judges…not the audience. It was an interesting twist on the card trick and I liked how he got Heidi and Mel B involved in the act (they almost kissed by the way).  Howie dubbed Collins’s-“The Master of Confusion.”  Once AGT is over, I strongly think that Collins should continue with close-up magic.  A-

Opera trio Forte decided to revisit their Las Vegas audition!  I was so happy when they sing “The Prayer” with a full orchestra and a choir! They gave everyone goose bumps and took us to heaven with that song!  They received a three-judge-standing ovation from Mel B, Howard and Heidi.   The only dissenting judge was Howie who was worried that they had an unfair advantage.   Now, the only performers missing from his performance were three powerhouse females to sing this song with them.  If they do go into the recording studio and record this song, I hope they ask Jessica Sanchez, Heather Headley and Voice judge Christina Aguilera to join them in the studio!  That would be incredible! A+

Going into this round, I was worried that comedian Taylor Williamson would be at a huge disadvantage because we heard his jokes before.  For his routine, he begged the producers for him to have some items on stage.  They gave him a man in the camel outfit, a choir that delivered one of his signature punch lines and of course, fireworks!  While he received a standing ovation from Howie and Mel B, Howard added that he was a terrific performer! A-

Round 1 Letter Grades:

-Kenichi Ebina: A+

-Forte: A+

-Cami Bradley: A

-Taylor Williamson: A-

-Collins Key: A-

-Jimmy Rose: D

Cami Bradley opened up Round Two with The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” It was an intriguing arrangement and I am glad that she did a performance without a piano.   She showcased good vocals and brought a full band to perform it with her.  Mel B brought out her fan and told her it was “Flawless.”  Overall, I thought Cami was a good job.   B+

Collins Key told the judges to expect to do one final massive trick!  He had over two-dozen people on the Radio City Music Hall stage. Each person had a sheet of paper with a Twitter hashtag on that piece of paper.   Then, Collins asked Howie, Mel B and Heidi to grab three photos.  Next, he grabbed three random people (two girls and a guy) from the crowd and played his YouTube video that showed him correctly predicting the judges’ picks.   He also added that those three people that the letters that spelled out his name.   As a social media guru, I have one thing to say to you, Collins: “Bravo!”  A

Jimmy Rose’s final song of the season was Garth Brooks’ “The Dance.” I know that I have bashed Jimmy a lot this season but he did a good job interpreting the King of Country.   He redeemed himself in my eyes and I think he has a good future in the music industry.  C-

Taylor Williamson delivered his final stand-up routine on the Radio City Music Hall.  In his final set, he focused on love jokes, weight jokes and Stonehenge.  He finally received his first four judge-standing ovation and secured his future in the comedy world.  A

For Kenichi’s final performance, he danced with eight different versions of himself that showcased impeccable choreography and gave everyone goose bumps!  While Howie, Howard, Heidi and everyone at Radio City stood up, Mel B was the only Negative Nancy and stated that it was off for her!  I am sorry, Scary Spice…but you were 10000-percent WRONG! A+

Forte closed the show with an emotional cover of Pavarotti’s “Caruso.” It showcased their beautiful harmonies and gave everyone chills.  They received the final four-judge standing ovation of the season and Heidi added that they did the song “justice!” A+

Second round letter grades:

-Cami Bradley: B+

-Collins Key: A

-Jimmy Rose: C-

-Taylor Williamson: A

-Kenichi Ebina: A+

-Forte: A+

Final letter grades (Both rounds averaged together):

-Kenichi Ebina: A+

-Forte: A+

-Cami Bradley: A- 

-Taylor Williamson: A-

-Collins Key: A-

-Jimmy Rose: D+

Tomorrow night, one of these acts will be crowned the “America’s Got Talent: Season Eight” champion!  Also, an all-star group of performers including Dierks Bentley, Josh Groban, Icona Pop, James Lipton, Earth, Wind and Fire, the Radio City Rockettes, Il Divo and Heather Headley will help provide the entertainment for the evening!