Simon Cowell gives AGT audience members two thumbs up during the Season 19 Judges Auditions. (Photo property of NBC’s Trae Patton)
By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
The AGT: Season 19 Judges Auditions enter its second week!
Tonight, the Got Talent creator hit his Golden Buzzer twice! Which acts did Simon choose? Who will join Learnmore Jonansi and Richard Goodall in the Season 19 Live Shows?
Did Simon, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum buzz out an act? Read on to find out!
Before we get into the recap, make sure that you check out my Top 30 Golden Buzzer moments of All-Time!
It was time to get down to business after Terry and the judges made their entrances. Simon met the first act backstage, 5-year-old drummer Chrisyius Whitehead, who told the audience they had a lovely conversation before the show began. The Florida native already has big plans for the $1 million. After sharing it with the homeless, he planned to get 200 bags of slime. Chrisyius had some incredible skills, and he reminded me of a young Mick Fleetwood. Chrisyirus received a standing ovation from Simon, Howie, and Heidi. He received the first set of four yeses of the evening.
Ashes & Arrows was the first band of the evening. They sang an original song called “Born to Love.” Despite the nerves, the trio delivered a superb performance. Simon and Sofia gave the trio a standing ovation. However, Howie did not like the song and voted “No.” Luckily, Simon and the ladies voted “Yes” and sent them to the next round.
Hakuna Matata Acrobatics was inspired to compete on AGT after the Ramadhani Brothers auditioned, made it to the Season 18 finals, and won AGT: Fantasy League. My jaw dropped several times during the audition thanks to some close calls as twice two members failed to execute a head balancing act. However, they made it up when they executed stunts that involved all four of them, and they received the first four judges’ standing ovation of the night! Simon praised them for stepping it up from previous acts. They received the second set of four yeses of the night!
Alex Zinger is a dancer who has danced for Vanilla Ice and Milli Vanilli. The Brooklyn native and financial planner surprised the audience by revealing he was a dancer. I loved his energy and could see him as the next John Travolta. However, the audience was unhappy when all four judges buzzed Alex and sent him home.
After Alex left the stage, The Otama Collective walked onto it, but they were quickly buzzed out and received the second set of four “No’s” of the evening. Nini brought her traditional Chinese instruments to entertain the AGT audience and judges. I was utterly surprised by her performance, but I loved how she shredded near on the guitar to “Flight of the Bumblebee” at the end. It was a one-of-a-kind audition, and she received a standing ovation from everyone in the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. I agreed with Sofia as she called Nini’s audition – “unexpected and spectacular.” She also blew Simon away with her performance, who called her “charismatic and brilliant.” Nini received the latest set of four “Yeses.”
Liv Warfield walked onto the stage, revealed that she was a full-time musician, and shared the stage with Prince and other music legends. But she told the audience that while the industry is complex to break into, Liv is not giving up. She brought a massive band and a few backing vocalists, and her first note hooked me. Liv is a phenomenal entertainer and could be a massive superstar! The Pasadena Civic Auditorium gave her a standing ovation and Simon Cowell’s first Golden Buzzer!
Japanese dance troupe Sabrina traveled to the US to compete on AGT. Throughout their audition, the group reminded me of Season 17 champions Mayyas and Season 18 finalists Avantgardey. Their on-point choreography and music selection really wowed me, and I immediately thought they were the first set of Season 19 frontrunners to emerge. The dance troupe received a four-judge standing ovation and left Sofia Vergara speechless. They received four sets of “Yeses.”
Phillip Lewis is a dancer and has spent the past decade mastering baton twirling; he revealed his hype song with Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” and eats a donut before every performance. His routine, which he performed to Fleur East’s “Sax,” made me smile, and his choreography was impeccable. He received a standing ovation from all four judges, and Simon described his showmanship as “off the chart.” Phillip received the latest set of four “Yeses.”
Bao Chong traveled from Vietnam to audition for AGT. However, his act involved putting dangerous objects in and on his body. I wanted this grotesque act to stop, so I looked away from the audition. I felt for Sofia as Simon revealed that Bao was one of his favorite acts of the evening. However, Sofia joined her fellow judges in voting him into the next round.
Sky Element was the final act to audition for the evening. They brought 1,000 drones to the AGT: Season 19 Judge Auditions. The guys revealed they had been working on this presentation for weeks and asked the judges to join them outside. Seeing the drone take off and tell the story of America’s journey into space was awe-inspiring. I loved how they got Simon’s face on the astronaut. They delivered a spectacular drone show, and it was worth having Simon give Sky Element – his second Golden Buzzer.
Next week, the Season 19 Auditions continue!
