Jake’s Take: The 15 Best “AGT” Celebrity Duets

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

Every time we get to the America’s Got Talent (AGT) season finale, I always enjoy watching the contestants interact with their idols.

Hopefully the Top 10, they will get to have the chance to enjoy the similar success that their predecessors did when they got to the finale.

15. Bianca Ryan & Jennifer Holliday: “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” (Season One)

AGT’s very first winner kicks off our countdown. When then 11-year-old Bianca Ryan made her America’s Got Talent debut, her deniable powerhouse voice gave America chills and set the standard for other child singers to follow. For her celebrity duet performance, she revisited the song that got her into the competition: Dreamgirls’ “And I Am Telling You (I’m Not Going).” However, she sang the track with the original Effie White herself: Grammy and Tony-winning actress Jennifer Holliday. It was amazing to hear their vocals together and it was a moment that no one would forget.

14. Cas Haley & UB40: “Red, Red Wine” (Season Two)

Reggae rocker Cas Haley’s dreams came true when he got to perform with his musical heroes: British Reggae supergroup UB40. Their harmonies were impeccable and they brilliantly transported the AGT audience from their then LA-based studio to the birth place of Reggae music: Jamaica.

13. Taylor Williamson & James Lipton: Inside the Actors Studio (Season Eight)

For one night only, Bravo’s Inside the Actors Studio had a session on the Radio City Music Hall stage. The veteran television host grilled the Season Eight runner-up on his favorite word and poked fun of the ongoing love-hate relationship between Taylor and his reluctant on-screen girlfriend: Heidi Klum.

12. Forte & Josh Groban: “To Where You Are”/ “Brave” (Season Eight)

Josh Groban played an integral part of Forte’s formation. After founder Josh Page performed “The Prayer” with him at a concert, he began to assemble the first incarnation of the Forte Tenors. It was a full circle moment for Josh as he joined current member Sean Panikkar and founding member Fernando Varela with the “You Raise Me Up” singer and performed two songs on the Radio City Music Hall stage.

11. Julienne Irwin & Taylor Swift: “Teardrops On My Guitar” (Season Two)

Even before Taylor Swift became a global superstar, she was always ready to help her fans. Among one of Swift’s earliest fans was Season Two finalist Julienne Irwin. I loved Julienne’s reaction when the “Shake It Off” singer surprised her during Julienne’s rehearsal. It was a heartwarming moment that I believe both young ladies did not forget and I hope Julienne is still chasing her dreams.

10. Mat Franco, Howard Stern & Rosie O’Donnell: “Dirty Card Trick” (Season Nine)

Before he was crowned the champion of Season Nine, magician Mat Franco had one last trick up his sleeves. He teamed up with two media industry heavyweights-America’s Judge and the Queen of Nice to deliver one unbelievable card trick. However, he also learned when he had two unpredictable mega star assistants working together…things got extremely raunchy!

9. Terry Fator, Kermit the Frog & The Muppets: “You’ve Got A Friend” (Season Two)

Future Las Vegas superstar and Season Two winner Terry Fator joined forces with one of his all-time favorite heroes: Kermit the Frog! While The Muppets front man started the Carole King-penned tune alone, he brought a plethora of guests: Gonzo’s Camilla and three of her fellow chickens, Animal, Beaker, Swedish Chef and of course…Miss Piggy. I loved seeing Animal, Beaker and the Swedish Chef in the judges’ desk and it was the perfect way to end one chapter of Terry’s career and the beginning of another.

8. Sons of Serendip & Train: “Drops of Jupiter” (Season Nine)

Since their audition in Season Nine, Sons of Serendip’s soothing melodies were a staple of the Radio City Music Hall live shows. When they reached the finale, they teamed up with Train front man Pat Monahan and breathed new life into the San Francisco-based band’s classic “Drops of Jupiter.” Between the brilliant blend of Pat and Micah’s voices and the band’s moving arrangement, it was one of the best band performances of all-time. I really hope that the guys invite Pat to record this song for their next album.

7. Prince Poppycock & Donna Summer: “Last Dance”/”No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)” (Season Five)

Prince Poppycock remains one of the most outlandish and flamboyant acts to ever grace the AGT stage. For his finale performance, he collaborated with the one music icon that brought the best high quality energy and vocals out of him: the late Queen of Disco-Ms. Donna Summer! It was great to see two divas collide on stage and they sounded great together!

6. Tom Cotter & Joan Rivers: Roasting the Judges (Season Seven)

Season Seven Runner-Up Tom Cotter received some high-powered superstar assistance when he performed on his season finale. The audience at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center went wild when the Queen of Comedy appeared on stage. Between comparing the judges as a group to the Kardashians and telling Howard that he was funnier than Imus, the late comedienne proved that she was still at the top of her game.

5. Quintavious Johnson & Jennifer Hudson: “And I’m Telling You (I’m Not Going)” (Season Nine)

It is rare for a contestant to overpower a celebrity guest during their duets, but Quintavious Johnson’s omniscient voice not only out shined Oscar and Grammy-winning actress Jennifer Hudson when they sang the track that made Jennifer Hudson a superstar, but the American Idol alum stated on Instagram that Quintavious sang her off the stage. I hope when Quintavious releases an album that he invites Jennifer to record this fiery duet!

4. Jackie Evancho & Sarah Brightman: “Time To Say Goodbye” (Season Five)

Five years ago, Jackie Evancho took the world by storm with her outstanding voice! For her celebrity duet, Jackie received the honor and privilege of performing with one of her heroes: world-renowned singer-actress Sarah Brightman. The duo tackled Brightman’s duet with fellow Opera singer Andrea Bocelli: “Time To Say Goodbye.” Their duet remains one of the best magical moments in the Piers Morgan era.

3. Fighting Gravity & Lionel Richie: “Dancing on the Ceiling” (Season Five)

Fighting Gravity remains one of the best variety acts that ever appeared on AGT. Their routines wowed both the audience and judges and made them strong contenders for the Season Five crown. They ended their AGT run with a fabulous take on “Dancing on the Ceiling” by teaming up with the man who created the dancing phenomenon: music legend Lionel Richie! As they worked their magic behind the stage, Lionel gave a powerful vocal performance that made him an honorary member of the dance troupe.

2. Emily West & Cyndi Lauper: “True Colors” (Season Nine)

For many Reality TV aficionados and Celebrity Apprentice fans, they remembered watching Emily West and Cyndi Lauper form a strong mentee-mentor relationship during one of the show’s crucial challenges. Four years after the show aired, Emily auditioned for AGT for a second chance in the music industry after her label dropped her. She made it all the way to the Season Nine finals and reunited with her mentor for an emotional cover of the Grammy, Emmy and Tony-winning artist’s iconic song: “True Colors.” The interpretation gave me chills and I was glad to see them reunite for a special moment!

1. Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. & Patti LaBelle: “You’re All I Need to Get By” (Season Six)

Former car washer Landau Eugene Murphy, Jr. became a household name after his dazzling vocal performance of pop standards. For his finale, he sang with one of the greatest vocalists of all-time: the Queen of Rock n’ Soul-Ms. Patti LaBelle. Their performance of the Ashford & Simpson soul anthem shook the entire studio and delivered the greatest celebrity duet performance in the show’s history!

All “America’s Got Talent” video clips are property of NBC, Syco Entertainment & FremantleMedia North America.

Bianca Ryan & Jennifer Holliday’s duet is property of Operation Smile.