Here are Jake’s Take’s Top 25 Reality TV Performances of 2023! (Graphic property of Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar and show logos belong to their respective shows and networks!)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Best of 2023 continues with a look back at my favorite Reality TV performances from talent competitions! 2023 has been a busy year for American Idol, the Got Talent franchise (America’s Got Talent, AGT: All-Stars, Britain’s Got Talent, and Canada’s Got Talent), The Masked Singer USA, and The Voice USA.
#25 – Diver (Tom Sandoval): “I Ain’t Worried” (The Masked Singer USA: Season 10; FOX)
The man in the middle of Reality TV’s biggest scandals, Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval, kicks off the countdown! He delivered a fabulous cover of OneRepublic’s “I Ain’t Worried” during The Masked Singer: Season 10’s NFL Night. Tom has a fantastic voice, and the performance entertained me to no end. Because of this, I will always be a member of Team Sandoval.
#24 – Tiki (Sebastian Bach) vs. Sea Queen (Macy Gray): “Nothin’ but a Good Time” (The Masked Singer USA: Season 10; FOX)
Rock Night was one of the best-themed nights of the season! It all culminated with a battle royale between Tiki (Sebastian Bach) and Sea Queen (Macy Gray). Tiki Mask sounded like he could have sung on the original Poison recording. Meanwhile, Sea Queen infused her signature funk and soul sound into the song that won her a spot in the Season 10 finale.
#23 – Fairy (Holly Robinson Peete): “Angel from Montgomery” (The Masked Singer USA: Season Nine; FOX)
Actress and TV personality Holly Robinson Peete surprised Reality TV fans when she sang Bonnie Raitt’s “Angel from Montgomery” during Country Music Night. Holly’s tone gave Masked Singer fans chills and received praise from the panel.
#22 – Amy Lou’s Journey (Britain’s Got Talent: Series 16 FINALIST; iTV)
We are heading across the Atlantic to Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) for the first part of 2023’s British Invasion. Singer Amy Lou has been a standout since the Judges’ Auditions, where she blew everyone away with an impeccable take on Beyonce’s “Listen.” Amy made it to the Live Semifinals, knocked everyone’s socks off with Jennifer Holliday’s “And I Am Telling You” and finished her run with a spectacular and haunting interpretation of Christina Aguilera’s “Reflection.”
#21 – MB-14’s Journey (Britain’s Got Talent: Series 16 SEMIFINALIST; Ant & Dec’s Golden Buzzer; iTV)
French beatboxer and singer MB-14 delivered two show-stopping performances while on BGT. During his Judges’ Audition, he made the audience and judges Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon dance with his original composition that earned longtime hosts Ant & Dec’s Golden Buzzer. MB-14 followed up that performance with an incredible cover of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” in the Live Semifinals.
#20 – Anica: “Unstoppable” (Canada’s Got Talent: Season Three SEMIFINALIST; Lindsay Ell’s Golden Buzzer; CityTV)
We are traveling to Canada for our next stop in our countdown. Got Talent superfans were excited when America’s Got Talent: Season 16 alum Anica took the stage. The self-taught singer and musician elevated Sia’s “Unstoppable” in a powerful acoustic anthem that gave viewers chills and earned her Lindsay Ell’s Golden Buzzer.
#19 – Gamal John: “It’s a Man’s World” (Britain’s Got Talent: Series 16 SEMIFINALIST; Bruno Tonioli’s Second Golden Buzzer; iTV)
We are heading back to the UK for 36-year-old Gamal John’s audition! The singer blew audiences away with his beautiful interpretation of James Brown’s “It’s A Man’s World,” which would make the Godfather of Soul proud. It also delivered one of the most iconic moments in British TV as new judge Bruno Tonioli broke the BGT rules and gave Gamal a SECOND GOLDEN BUZZER!
#18 – We Ani: “Uninvited” (American Idol: Season 21 Top Six; ABC)
Seven years ago, I saw We Ani enter the music world under Alicia Keys’ tutelage on The Voice USA: Season 11. Earlier this year, We returned to musical Reality TV competitions on American Idol’s recent season. I was impressed when she tackled a monster of a song, Alanis Morrissette’s “Uninvited,” and delivered a fantastic interpretation.
#17 – Raymond Salgado: “Lay Me Down” (Canada’s Got Talent: Season Three FINALIST: CityTV)
Jake’s Take friend Raymond Salgado delivered an epic cover of Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down” during Canada’s Got Talent: Season Three. He beautifully interpreted the Oscar-winning singer’s anthem and transformed it into his own.
#16 – California Rolls (Pentatonix): “Paparazzi” (The Masked Singer USA: Season Nine SEMIFINALISTS; FOX)
While it took me a minute to figure out that The Sing-Off alums were in the costumes, the Grammy-winning A cappella quintet gave me chills with their dramatic interpretation of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi.”
#15 – Donut (John Schneider): “Georgia on My Mind” (The Masked Singer USA: Season 10 RUNNER-UP; FOX)
Donut gave me goosebumps when he tackled the legendary Ray Charles’ “Georgia on My Mind.” Mr. Schneider perfectly transported viewers to the Peach State and made the Genius proud with his interpretation.
#14 – Medusa (Bishop Briggs): “Dancing Queen” (The Masked Singer USA: Season Nine WINNER; FOX)
I genuinely believe Bishop Briggs began her journey to winning the Golden Mask with this outstanding performance of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” The bombastic performance was filled with rapid-fire punch vocals, making Masked Singer fans dance.
#13 – Emil & Dariel: “Take on Me” (America’s Got Talent (AGT): All-Stars participants; NBC)
I have been waiting for years for my friends Emil & Dariel to return to AGT for a Champions-esque season, and they did not disappoint! While I remain angry with one judge (looking at you, Simon!) for not being receptive to them, the brothers delivered an epic performance! Bravo, guys!
#12 – Geneviéve Côté’s journey (Canada’s Got Talent: Season Three FINALIST; Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer; CityTV)
Geneviéve Côté took the Got Talent world by storm when she shared her impeccable gift of noise-making with the world. The way she told cinema-quality stories with her voice was so remarkable that it gave me goosebumps. I cannot wait to see what Geneviéve brings to AGT: Fantasy League!
#11 – Team Blake: “Time of Your Life” (The Voice USA: Season 23 Finale; NBC)
The Voice USA marked the end of an era as founding coach Blake Shelton said farewell to the NBC talent competition. On The Voice: Season 23 finale, several alums who picked the coach to mentor them came home to the show to say farewell to the “God Gave Me You” performer. It was terrific to see Dia Frampton, Jermaine Paul, RaeLynn, Cassadee Pope, the Swon Brothers, Craig Wayne Boyd, and Sundance Head return to pay homage to their coach.
#10 – Freedom Singers: “Another Day in Paradise” (AGT: Season 18 QUALIFIERS; NBC)
Los Angeles-based choir Freedom Singers kicks off the Top 10 portion of this countdown. I loved the way they interpreted the Phil Collins classic. Their harmonies were electric, and the soloists’ voices gave me goosebumps.
#9 – Iam Tongi: “What a Wonderful World” (American Idol: Season 21 WINNER; ABC)
While I have yet to cover the American Idol universe since the singing competition joined the Mouse House, singer Iam Tongi piques me into the OG talent show. Iam beautifully weaved Louis Armstrong and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s iconic renditions together, turning it into a show-stopping performance. Also, thank you, Luke Bryan, for picking out this brilliant song for him to sing.
#8 – Lachuné: “The Best” (AGT: Season 18 QUALIFIER; NBC)
Vocal coach Lachuné brilliantly paid homage to the late Tina Turner with her take on “The Best.” By cutting out the rock and synthesizer elements to focus on a piano-based arrangement, Lachuné elevated the 1980s classic to a new level of excellence.
#7 – Malaki Bayou’s Journey (Britain’s Got Talent: Series 16 FOURTH PLACE FINALIST; Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer; iTV)
We are traveling back to the United Kingdom for our final international entry! Opera singer Malaki Bayou stole the hearts of Britain’s Got Talent fans with his powerful once-in-a-generation voice. His cover of “Pie Jesu” made Bruno cry and earned him Simon’s Golden Buzzer. In the BGT semifinals, he joined AGT alums Andrew de Leon and Barbara Padilla in the “O Mio Babbino Caro” master’s category, as his version earned him a spot in the Series 16 finals. But his interpretation of “Caruso” cemented him as a future world superstar.
#6 – Macaw (David Archuleta): “Hold Back the River” (The Masked Singer: Season Nine RUNNER-UP; FOX)
David Archuleta returned to FOX 15 years after competing on American Idol to compete in The Masked Singer’s ninth season. Macaw’s best performance was his interpretation of James Bay’s “Hold Back the River” during the finale. David’s tone and powerful voice elevated the song to another level of excellence.
#5 – Putri Ariani: “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (AGT: Season 18 GRAND-FINALIST; Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer; NBC)
Singer and pianist Putri Ariani greatly impacted AGT: Season 18. However, her best performance happened during the Qualifiers when she tackled one of U2’s biggest hits. She delivered a brilliant A cappella opening before playing the piano, and it was an instant classic.
#4 – Cristina Rae: “Hold My Hand” (AGT: All-Stars Participant; NBC)
I leaped out of my seat when I saw AGT: Season 15 Third Place Finalist (and possibly Heidi’s best Golden Buzzer act) Cristina Rae walk across the stage. The Wiz star, Little Shop of Horrors alum, and Jake’s Take friend delivered a beautiful interpretation of “Hold My Hand” that received a standing ovation from Heidi and Simon. I wished that the superfans voted her into the AGT: All-Stars finale.
#3 – Jeanick Fournier: “I’ll Never Love Again” (AGT: All-Stars Participant; NBC)
Jake’s Take friend and Canada’s Got Talent winner Jeanick Fournier made her American debut on AGT: All-Stars earlier this year. She delivered an epic vocal performance that would have made Lady Gaga incredibly proud, and just like Cristina, I truly wished that Jeanick was in the AGT: All-Stars final!
#2 – Tom Ball: “The Sound of Silence” (AGT: All-Stars FINALIST; Group Golden Buzzer; NBC)
I jumped for joy when I saw Britain’s Got Talent: Series 15 runner-up Tom Ball walk onto the AGT: All-Stars stage. Tom remains one of my all-time favorite vocalists, and I knew he would put on a show. His cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s haunting anthem, “The Sound of Silence,” showcased range and powerful notes that shook the AGT: All-Stars soundstage.
#1 – Mzansi Youth Choir: “It’s OK” (AGT: Season 18 FINALISTS; Audience Golden Buzzer; NBC)
Mzansi Youth Choir’s “It’s OK” version was the best audition and Reality TV performance in 2023. They beautifully elevated the beloved and dearly missed Nightbirde’s signature song into an anthem that made me and the entire Got Talent fandom weep. I am so glad that this phenomenal group received the historic first Audience Golden Buzzer, and Mzansi set the standard for youth choirs for years to come.
What were your favorite performances from this year’s talent competition shows?
