The Got Talent creator talks with Mel B during a taping of AGT: Fantasy League. (Photo property of NBC)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
America’s Got Talent (AGT): Fantasy League’s qualifying rounds concluded as all the power held in the Got Talent creator’s hands.
Did he take a page from judges Howie Mandel and Mel B’s books and steal an act? Or did Simon follow Heidi Klum’s example and award the Golden Buzzer to a loyal Team Simon member? Read on to find out!
After Terry entered, he revealed that Simon Cowell had the final Golden Buzzer. Heidi tried to enlist Mel B and Howie to block Simon from stealing AGT: All-Stars champion Aidan Bryant, and he was the veteran judge’s first pick. She advised Aidan to incorporate the tree with which he started his career in the performance. Aidan performed his routine to Sia’s “California Dreamin,” and the All-Stars champion delivered superb acrobatics. It was a solid start to the show. B+
I was very excited to see Travis Japan return to compete on AGT: Fantasy League. This boyband stole the AGT: Season 17 Judges Auditions but fizzled during the Live Shows, and Howie buzzed them. However, the group worked on their craft, and Capitol Records signed them. I am so glad that Mel B got them on their team. Travis Japan delivered an epic performance of “Just Dance,” which featured masterful choreography and slick harmonies that put a smile on my face. A
Simon Cowell picked Cillian O’Connor in honor of his son, Eric. Cillian delivered a superb audition in Britain’s Got Talent: Series 16 and eventually reached third place. Simon advised his young team member to tell a story in his routine. The Ireland native brilliantly tied his BGT finale performance to his AGT: Fantasy League routine. He has a bright future ahead of him. B+/A-
AGT: Season 11 finalist Brian Justin Crum was on Mel B’s fantasy team. He tackled “Forever Young” to advance in the competition. I would have buzzed him as the performance bored me to tears. F
I loved seeing the Ghetto Kids enter the AGT: Fantasy League stage. The BGT fan-favorites received Bruno Tonioli’s first Golden Buzzer on series 16 halfway through the performance. I loved that Mel B had the opportunity to steal them from Simon. Their routine was cheesy and hysterical! Bravo, Ghetto Kids! B+
Anna DeGuzman was the final Team Howie member to perform! She is one of my all-time favorite magicians, and I still cannot believe she lost to Adrian and Hurricane. She was surprised when Howie picked her to join his team. Anna incorporated both Mel B and Terry into the act that involved getting free items. I loved the quick magic that she did to bring both of their favorite drinks to life and how she picked out the Five of Diamonds from Mel B’s mind. Anna delivered an epic routine! A+
SAINTED were amazing during AGT: Season 18, but sadly, they were robbed of a spot in the live finals. However, Simon decided to pick them to be a part of his team. He picked Prince’s “Purple Rain” for them to perform, which the Purple One’s estate did not clear until the last minute! I got chills from the first note, and they delivered a masterful tribute that elevated everyone’s spirits. It was one of the best performances of the season! I am glad Simon gave them the Golden Buzzer, and I could see them winning the show. A++
AGT: Season 12 Winner and AGT: Champions Runner-Up Darci Lynne was on Heidi’s dream team. Mel B screamed when Heidi stole her at the Draft. She decided to do something different tonight. I love that she started with Petunia, and they sang “I’ve Got the Music in Me” before bringing out an electric guitar. It was great to see her evolve as a performer and I disagreed with both Sinon and Mel B’s criticism. B+
Heidi grabbed my friends, the Clairvoyants, to join her dream team! The Clairvoyants brought all four judges on stage to celebrate their first audition. Seeing them back in action and how Amelie correctly predicted everything the judges picked out, along with the date that their audition aired. A
Terry Crews walked onto the stage and told them that Musa Motha could not join them in person. Simon greeted the London-based dancer and was delighted that his team member could perform for them virtually. Musa Motha’s beautiful dancing earned him Britain’s Got Talent’s first-ever Group Golden Buzzer, and he danced his way into the Series 16 final, where he took home fourth place. During his mentoring session, Simon advised Musa Motha not to have any additional dancers join him as he said that Musa was the star. He performed a powerful routine to James Arthur’s “Recovery.” Just as he did on BGT, Musa’s performance gave me chills and made my jaw drop multiple times. It was one of the most masterful performances of the season! A+
The acts that made the Semifinals were Musa Motha, Ghetto Kids, Anna DeGuzman, Aidan Bryant, and Darci Lynne.
Next week, the AGT: Fantasy League Semifinals begin!
