Singers rule week one of “AGT: Season 12” Quarterfinals

Singer Yoli Mayor performed for a spot in the Season 12 semifinals tonight. (Photo property of NBC)

By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com

This is it! After weeks of Judges’ Auditions, Judge Cuts, and plenty of Golden Buzzers, America’s Got Talent: Season 12 has landed at the Dolby Theatre.

A bulk of the 12 acts that were featured on night one of the Season 12 Live Shows were singers. Now, I love singers…But I honestly believe that the category has eclipsed a majority of the categories this year. While I applaud the increasing participation of dance acts, I am outraged that there are more child singers than comedians and danger acts. I hope that America votes on the quality of the talent and not on the individual act’s story.

But, which acts delivered amazing performances? Who was buzzed by Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel? Read on to find out.

Up first to face the American public, Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer act: 15-year-old singer Christian Guardino. He tackled Ed Sheeran’s “Make It Rain.” I wish that he chose another song because Yoli Mayor sang it earlier this season and she transformed it a show-stopping number.  I like Christian, but I wanted him to showcase his falsetto more. While Howie stated that he was proud of his Golden Buzzer act, Heidi said that Christian set the bar high tonight.  C+/B-

Young dancers Artyon and Paige paid homage to Footloose with their routine, but their dancing was boring and horrible! F

In the Stairwell is one of my favorite A cappella acts that I have seen over the past few years. Not only do they serve the United States Armed Forces, but these singers have excellent talent. They gave a superb twist to fun.’s “Some Nights,’ while I wish that they chose another song, In the Stairwell delivered a phenomenal performance and I honestly believe that these guys should move on to the next round. The men received a standing ovation from Simon and the ladies, while Howie commented that In the Stairwell stepped up to the plate. A-

One act that I think that is going to have a hard time is The Singing Trump especially after what happened this past weekend and his tantrum against the media today. The Singing Trump walked down an Air Force One to Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up and Dance” and mixed up with M.C. Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This.” It was a mixed performance because he needed work on his choreography and SINGING! OY! C-

Nine-year-old singer Angelica Hale blew everyone away with her bombastic voice earlier this season and earned the Golden Buzzer from guest judge Chris Hardwick during the Judge Cuts round. This round, she tackled Zedd & Foxes’ “Clarity.” I am proud of this young lady to stepping out of her comfort zone and covering a club track, plus her falsetto is unbelievable for a nine-year-old. She reminds me so much of a very young Jessica Sanchez and just like our friend to the blog; Angelica will be around for years to come! A+

Wild card daredevil Bello Nock returned to the competition thanks to Simon and the judges. He performed with the extremely dangerous Wheel of Death, and in his pre-show package, Bello stated that he knew people who died from this stunt. I am so glad that Bello returned and that he perfectly executed this act. His showmanship is worth a million dollars alone! A-

Just Jerk is the probably one of the best dance crews that I have seen on America’s Got Talent. The South Korean dance troupe has executed brilliant performances each round, and their first Live Show routine did not disappoint. Just Jerk danced to Chris Brown’s “Turn Up the Music” and utilized the entire Dolby Theatre stage to the best of their abilities. I hope that they advance to the next round. A

Puddles Pity Party has been one of the show’s favorite singers of the season. But after Angelica and In the Stairwell’s brilliant performances, I was wondering if he was going to deliver. He surprised me when he tackled Lorde’s “Royals.” He made me smile all throughout the performance, and he commanded the stage. However, I was surprised that Simon buzzed him! B+

Comedian Preacher Lawson moved to LA years ago to break into the comedy world. Tonight, Preacher brought his routine to the Dolby Theatre stage. He talked about the time that he saw the fastest clapper on Oprah.  His jokes were fiery, and he reminded a lot about a young Eddie Murphy. Besides his joke, Preacher engaged the Dolby Audience, and he stole the show. A-

Yoli Mayor is one of the best singers that AGT has discovered this year, and I think that if she plays her cards right, we may see her go all the way to the Season 12 finale. She tackled Rag ‘n’Bone Man’s “Human,” and while I was worried that this was not a reliable choice for her, I thought that Yoli rose to the occasion. She gave me chills, and I hope America invites her back to the next round. A

As Yoli left the stage, Billy and Emily England dedicated their Live Show performance to their dad, who inspired them to pursue their daredevil desires. They performed their impeccable stunts to Imagine Dragons’ “Believer.” I liked there was some pyrotechnics and that they elevated the height of the act, but I would like for Billy and Emily to expand their ring to encompass the entire stage! B+

Singer-ventriloquist Darci Lynn concluded night one of the Season 12 Quarterfinals. For this round, Darci introduced the America’s public to Oscar the Mouse. Oscar fell in love with Mel B and dedicated “Who’s Loving You?” Darci could be the Digital Generation’s Shari Lewis because, like the Lamb Chop creator, she is a fantastic performer and has great material. Also, I cannot believe she tackled “Who’s Lovin’ You?” A+ 

Tomorrow night, Season 11 Champion (I still can’t believe she won) Grace VanderWaal returns to provide the entertainment, while Tyra Banks will conduct the first results show of the season.