By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
In two weeks, one act will join Bianca Ryan, Terry Fator, Kenichi Ebina, Grace VanderWaal, Darci Lynne, Shin Lim, and Kodi Lee in the America’s Got Talent winners circle!
However, the 20 semifinalists and two wild card acts will duke it out for the ten Season 15 finale spots to get there. Tonight, the first set of Season 15 semifinalists faced off for America’s votes. Which acts proved that they were contenders for the $1 million prize? Did Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, or Sofia Vergara buzz an act? Read on to find out!
After checking in with the judges, the Double Dragons sisters opened the show. The duo received the Judges’ Save during their quarterfinals’ results show. They dedicated their fiesta performance to their biggest fan: their father. They sang Lizzo’s “Juice” and Beyonce + J. Balvin’s “Mi Gente” for a chance for the Season 15 finale. This medley was their best performance all season, but there were a few sharp notes. C+
Up next was the Dance Town Family! The dance troupe received one of the judges’ wild card acts. I feel like I am watching future competitors on World of Dance or future Dancing with the Stars pros. I love their choreography and every minute that they were on the stage. I hope that they advance to the Season 15 finale. A-
Country music duo Broken Roots were the next act to face the country. They performed outside of the Bates Hotel. Broken Roots brought country rock to Blake Shelton’s “God’s Country.” I was very impressed with their cover, and they redeemed themselves from last week. B+
The Spyros Bros are fan favorites this season, and tonight they had to prove why. The duo performed outside Hogwarts Castle to Fall Out Boy’s “Centuries,” and sadly, the duo’s mistakes at the beginning slowed them down and made the audience lose interest. But they were able to get my interest back near the end when they brought the pyrotechnics. While they recovered, the duo might have made a $1 million mistake. C-
In all honesty, Thomas Day SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SELECTED as one of the Wild Cards this year. He dropped out because his mother got Covid-19. Luckily for him, the judges gave him a spot as a Wild Card. Sadly, this was a buzzworthy performance. Thomas’s place in the competition should have been given to either Bello & Annaliese Nock, Bonavega, Michael Yo, Resound, or Vincent Marcus. F
Aerialist Alan Silva performed on the Universal Plaza, and he has made his children proud with every performance. Tonight, Alan transformed into a Terminator-esque figure and used chains as his support apparatus. My jaw drops every time he performs, and I pray that he gets into the Season 15 finale. A+
Singer Shaquira McGrath had several stumbling blocks during her last go-around. I was wondering if she would improve from the Quarterfinals. Tonight, she tackled one of my favorite songs of all-time: Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain.” She owned the piece and delivered her best vocal this season! A
Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer act, spoken word artist Brandon Leake, was the next performer to take the stage. Tonight, he talked about his relationship with his absent father, Tyrone. He is a great poet and a superb spoken word artist, but would I not pay money to see him in Las Vegas. B-
With every performance, drummer Malik Dope’s impeccable showmanship has won the AGT audience over. Thank god, he received the Judges’ Save because we needed him in the Season 15 semifinals. He probably delivered one of the best performances of Season 15! A+
Frontrunner Archie Williams returned to compete for his shot for the Season 15 prize! In the pre-performance package, Archie revealed that he fathered a daughter after he got out of prison and reunited with her. He dedicated his cover of Ruben Studdard’s “Flying Without Wings.” I got chills from his performance, and I nearly cried. A-
11-year-old Roberta Battaglia closed out the evening. Sofia Vergara’s Golden Buzzer act sang P!nk’s “What About Us” for her chance for the $1 million prize. I was worried that this song would be too large for her to sing. However, Roberta delivered a solid performance, and I believe made P!nk proud tonight. B-
Tomorrow night, Piff the Magic Dragon, David Copperfield, and NDLOVU Youth Choir all perform as the first set of semifinalists were revealed.
