Jake’s Take’s ‘AGT: Season 19’ Acts to Watch

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

The America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 19 Live Shows starts Tuesday, August 13! This year, 44 acts (selected by the judges) will compete on the Pasadena Civic Auditorium stage for the show’s signature $1 million prize.

Every year, Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar endorses several acts that could possibly win AGT and use it as a launching pad into successful careers in the entertainment industry. For the past three years, we have included several performers on our “Acts to Watch” list who have gone on to win the show – Dustin Tavella in 2021 and the Mayyas in 2022.

Here are the acts that received Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s stamp of approval:

 

 

AIRFOOTWORKS (Acrobatic dance act)

AIRFOOTWORKS delivered a spectacular audition that made my jaw drop! One of the biggest things going for them is that the group is that their mentor is Season Eight champ Kenichi Ebina, who knows how to handle the show’s live portion. If AIRFOOTWORKS steps up their game and continues to deliver flawless performances, I can see them in the finale!

 

 

Ashes & Arrows (band)

The last time we had a country music band on the show was Broken Roots, which came in second place on the NBC talent competition’s fifteenth season. Ashes & Arrows’s “Born to Love” was one of the most beautiful songs I heard this season, and if any band can inherit Adrian and Hurricane’s crown and sash, it is Ashes & Arrows.

 

 

Attraction Juniors (Shadow Performance)

Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) alums Attraction Juniors made their way onto the Season 19 Judges Auditions. When I first saw the shadow theater group on BGT in 2022, I was impressed but saddened to learn they did not make it to the semifinals of that series. This group delivered a superb piece of shadow art to Taylor Swift’s “The Lucky One.” If they continue to provide stories that touch fans’ heartstrings, Attraction Juniors could cement themselves as Vegas headliners.

 

 

Bboy Samuka (Dancer)

Brazilian dancer Bboy Samuka picked up the bar that Musa Motha dropped and elevated breakdancing into the stratosphere. If Bboy Samuka’s fiery audition is any indication, then he could be a force to be reckoned with in this competition and become a super headliner once the season ends. 

 

 

Brent Street (Dance group; Howie Mandel’s 1st Golden Buzzer)

The Sydney, Australia-based dance group Brent Street delivered one of the best dance auditions this season! Their routine to NF’s “Hope” was a spectacular surprise as it started with Zach before the entire dance company appeared. Their electrifying choreography reminded me of top dance groups such as Season 13 runners-up Zurcaroh and Season 17 champs Mayyas. I could see Brent Street winning this season.

 

 

DeeDee Simon (Singer)

Registered nurse DeeDee Simon soared into the spotlight singing the Dreamgirls anthem, “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.” The Oakland, California, resident gave me chills with her velvety voice. This song changed DeeDee’s life in the same way it did for Jennifer Holliday and Jennifer Hudson. I cannot wait to see what she brings to the Season 19 Live Shows!

 

 

Erica Rhodes (Comedian)

Erica Rhodes is one of my favorite comedians who made it to the Live Shows! Her material made me laugh multiple times, and I believe Erica has the potential to join the AGT comedy pantheon.

 

 

Hakuna Matata Acrobatics (Acrobat group)

Tanzania quartet Hakuna Matata Acrobatics blends balance and danger, leaving the audience’s jaws on the Pasadena Civic Auditorium floor. The group has a lot of potential, and I am very excited to see how a four-person balancing act does on the Season 19 live shows.

 

 

Jonathan Burns (Magician)

Jonathan Burns made me smile when he returned for his AGT: Season 19 auditions (he was last seen in the Season 14 Judges Cuts). The potential Bobby Bones lookalike delivered a cheesy audition that showcased his chemistry with Heidi and Sofia and his charming interaction with the crowd. I look forward to seeing his tricks for the Season 19 live shows!

 

 

L6 (Vocal group)

Filipino singing group L6 is the strongest group of vocalists I have seen audition for the NBC talent competition so far this decade. I am glad Simon recommended that they sing Eric Carmen’s “All by Myself“ A cappella because it showed their powerful vocal harmonies. If they continue to follow Simon’s advice and perform without the music, L6 could find themselves performing on finale night.

 

 

Legión (Malambo group; Sofia Vergara’s 1^st Golden Buzzer)

It has been eight years since Malevo introduced AGT to the Argentinian Malambo dance style. They made it to the semifinals thanks to memorable performances, including receiving guest judge George Lopez’s Golden Buzzer in the Season 11 Judges Cuts. Legión picked up the baton Malevo dropped this season and delivered a fiery audition that almost set the Pasadena Civic Auditorium stage on fire. I am delighted that Sofia gave them a Golden Buzzer and I cannot wait to see what they do during the Season 19 live shows.

 

 

Liv Warfield (Singer; Simon Cowell’s 1st Golden Buzzer)

Chicago-based singer Liv Warfield is a music veteran who has shared the stage with Nancy Wilson and the late Prince. This season, she brought her band and original song, “Stare,” to this season’s Judges Auditions, and they blew the Pasadena Civic Auditorium’s roof off! Liv has a superb voice, and her band is one of the best I have seen in all my years of covering the NBC talent competition. I was thrilled when Simon gave her his first Golden Buzzer! Liv and her band will deliver epic performances on live shows.

 

 

Richard Goodall (Singer; Heidi Klum’s 1st Golden Buzzer)

At 21 million views (as of publication), Richard Goodall’s performance is the most viewed audition of AGT: Season 19. This school janitor gave me goosebumps when he tackled Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin'” and earned Heidi Klum’s first Golden Buzzer of the season. If Richard selects the correct songs and can shake off his nerves, I could see him as one of the last acts standing.

 

 

Sabrina (Dance group)

Japanese dance group Sabrina is one of the most dominant dance acts I have ever seen! Their superb choreography and fierce movements gave me chills during their Judges’ Audition. If they continue to harness Avantgardey and Mayyas’ hypnotization and Murmuration’s quicksilver speed, they could be the second dance group to win AGT!

 

 

Sky Elements (Drone Group; Simon Cowell’s 2nd Golden Buzzer)

This Dallas, Texas-based drone group was one of the most unique acts I have seen on the show in years. I never thought that a 400-foot-tall and 300-foot-wide drone act would give me chills. Their creativity in showcasing AGT’s hypothetical landing on the moon was superb and deserved a Golden Buzzer. Sky Elements has the potential to make history this season if they continue to win over fans and judges alike.

 

 

Young Min (Magician)

Young Min is the final act that I am endorsing this season! The Korean-based magician did a spectacular job transfiguring sand into glitter and has superb showmanship that I have not seen in a magic act before.

Who do you want to win AGT: Season 19? 

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