Howie, Heidi, Sofia, and Simon interact with an act during a taping of AGT: Season 18 Judges’ Auditions (Photo property of NBC’s Casey Durkin)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 18 is on a hot streak! Over the past few weeks, we have seen phenomenal acts take the Pasadena Civic Center stage to prove that they are worthy of joining the likes of Terry Fator, Darci Lynne, Shin Lim, Kodi Lee, and the Mayyas in the Champions’ Circle.
Tonight, another set of hopefuls hoped to share their talents with the world. Who impressed the judges (Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum)? Did any act receive the dreaded four red Xs? Did either Heidi or Sofia reveal their Golden Buzzer act? Read on to find out!
As Terry and the judges made their entrance from the audience, Simon ran late but slowly his way to the desk, and his voice was slowly getting back. The Sharpe Family Singers were the first act to face the judges. The New Jersey-based family waited long to audition for the NBC talent competition. Tonight, they sang Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go.” While I hesitated with the song choice, the Sharpe Family Singers delivered a superb performance. The group received the evening’s first standing ovation, and Sofia called the audition “perfection.” They got the first set of four “Yeses” of the evening!
While the Sharpe Family Singers celebrated with Terry, the production team brought out an iPad featuring several pre-recorded phrases for Simon. The Got Talent creator tested the iPad with Adrian Stoica and his dog, Hurricane. The Italian dog coach and his best fur friend performed a routine with Meghan Trainor’s “Better When I’m Dancin’.” Like all animal acts, I was bored with the duo and would have pressed my buzzer. Sadly, the judges disagreed with me and gave them four “Yeses.”
While Terry warmed up the audience, Simon continued to annoy everyone with his iPad, so he accidentally spilled his drink on the desk and accidentally buzzed his buzzer. Acrobat Chen Lei moved from China to Las Vegas and worked at a Chinese restaurant waiting for his chance to shine. Chen has impressive strength, and I was mesmerized watching his balancing act. Howie praised his leg’s fluidity, while Simon said it was one of his favorite performances of the auditions. Chen received the third set of four “Yeses.”
Once the production assistant adjusted Sofia’s chair, the country music duo Trailer Flowers received a robust welcome from the Pasadena Civic Center audience before they spoke with the judges. They performed “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” until Simon stopped them and asked for another song. They went with an original track, which I thought was “magic.” Their harmonies were superb and hypnotized the Pasadena Civic Center crowd. Sofia and Simon were happy with the performance, while Howie was not a fan. Heidi loved their “girl power” and joined Simon and Sofia to advance them into the next round.
Self-taught dancer Erica Coffelt put dancing on the back burner when she attended college. However, the 36-year-old Reno, Nevada, resident wanted to prove to her kids that they were never too old to pursue their dreams. I loved her energy and her moves. She left me smiling throughout the routine and received a standing ovation from Simon and Howie. Erica received the first set of 4,000 “yeses” of the evening.
Youth magician Ryland ran into Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel backstage before appearing on the stage. The England native traveled to Pasadena to show off his skills. The second-generation magician brought out several friends to assist him with the act and loved how he incorporated the artwork, numbers, and the magic word: “Scam.” It was a brilliantly executed routine. Sofia loved his showmanship, and he almost gave Simon’s voice back. Ryland received four “Yeses” and advanced to the next round.
Comedian Barry Brewer, Jr. walked onto the AGT with crutches as he revealed to the judges that he tore his Achilles before his audition. The Chicago native decided to do “sit-up comedy.” After Howie said, “Break a Leg!” Barry began playing his keyboard and talked about his traveling experience. He also spoke about the differences between white and black churches, which was hysterical. Sofia loved how he mixed his comedy up with music, while Howie called him “likable” and “charming.” Simon predicted that appearing on AGT would change his life. Barry received four “Yeses” from the judges. I loved that Simon surprised him while Barry talked with his wife.
Tap dancer Justin Jackson traveled from Montreal to audition for AGT. He told Sofia that award shows inspired him to get into tap dancing. I am glad he used Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” as a track because Justin came to life with his solos. He reminds me so much of Savion Glover; it is not even funny. His swagger and attitude are incredible, and his dancing near the judges was fantastic. He is a master showman, and I hope to see Justin in the Season 18 Live Shows!
South Korean magician Sangsoon Kim traveled to AGT with one mission in mind – proving that he was better than AGT finalist Yu Hojin. Sangsoon’s magic involved sneakers, and I was impressed with the magician’s quicksilver ability to change the shoe color and increase or decrease the shoe sizes. I thought it was brilliant, and the judges gave him a standing ovation and four “Yeses.”
Lachuné closed out week five of the AGT: Season 18 Judges’ Auditions. The part-time vocal teacher and student waited years to audition for the NBC talent auditions to show her students to chase their dreams. When Lachuné sang Coldplay’s “Yellow,” I immediately got chills. I loved her upper vocal register and her hypnotizing tone. Simon loved her “beautiful voice” and advised her to choose her lane. Sofia called it “perfect,” and Heidi stated that she just scratched the surface of her talent. She received the final set of “four Yeses.”
AGT: Season 18 Judges Auditions will continue after Independence Day!
