It’s the first night of the live shows on America’s Got Talent and 12 of the 36 acts that made it to Hollywood are facing America for the first time in hopes of winning the $1 million cash prize and a Las Vegas show.
The pressure is off the charts and judge Simon Cowell rates his excitement level, “On a scale of one to 100, I think I am 101. We now lose control and America takes over.”
Up first was Jayna Brown, guest judge Louis Tomlinson‘s [One Direction] Golden Buzzer winner, singing Ed Sheeran‘s “Make It Rain.”
Simon told her, “I don’t know what to say after that. You were like this shy little thing. Then you got better and tonight you came on this stage and you killed this song. Not only that, you controlled this song. I wouldn’t want to be one of the contestants following you.”
Heidi Klum added, “You have the voice of a winner.”
Next was incredible illusionist Hara, who came to AGT from a small village in Japan and knocked the judges’ socks off.
Simon said, “This is the time where this stage makes you or breaks you. This made you.”
And Howie Mandel told Hara, “You told a story and a true story. Your mom said, ‘Go to Hollywood and take a basket of birds,’ and you did.”
Third time wasn’t the charm for dance group Outlawz, who initially won over the judges because they were five friends who came together and created their act all on their own.
Surprisingly, Simon buzzed the group. He told them, “I have always liked you. Tonight didn’t feel like it was coming from you. I wasn’t impressed. This for me wasn’t better than the last two times.”
Mel B also felt something went really wrong, but she thought one of the guys was injured, when he was actually fine.
Heidi said she could see they worked on their routine but some of them are better dancers than others. In the end, she said it will be up to America if they go through.
Then Musicality, an afterschool choir from the tough side of Chicago, took the stage and performed Ariana Grande‘s “One Last Time.”
Mel B said they really light up a room and she loves what they stand for. She is rooting for them. Heidi wished there were more outstanding solos in their performance, but she thought this is the best she has ever heard them.
Simon lauded them, saying, “You guys just get better and better and better. I have had so many friends of mine call me to say they like you.”
Lancaster, Calif., tween Lori Mae Hernandez used to perform for her dogs, now she’s turning her political wit on America, performing a comic routine that could turn off Republican voters.
Howie told her, “You were adorable. You were amazing. You were wonderful. You deserved it but you killed half the country.”
Mel B encouraged her, “You have taken current affairs and put your own spin on it.”
Simon pointed out, “When you came out the first night, you were so shy. You’re not. You are naughty. You are edgy and current and cool.”
Deadly Game took the stage with one of the most dangerous acts that AGT has ever had. Alfredo performed his weapon throws blindfolded. Anna actually had to duck for the last one.
Heidi screamed “It was so scary. Alfredo is good, but Anna is the real star.”
Simon added, “It is total madness. You have been so brilliant in your presentation. It is becoming – or is – a world class act.”
Howie joked, “This plays on two levels. It is dangerous, but as a married man, it shows you need to listen to your wife.”
Ne-Yo‘s Golden Buzzer winner Jon Dorenbos, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles and learned magic to help ease the pain from the death of his mother, won the rapper over with his magic card tricks. But on his first live show, Dorenbos switched from card tricks to magic drawings.
Howie commented, “I am mesmerized. We will see you for another round.”
Mel B exclaimed, “You had no idea what we were going to draw. I can’t believe you did what you just did.”
Heidi added, “You are super engaging. I love your presentation. Your magic is super solid.”
Next, Daniel Joyner, from the small Texas town of Alamo, sang Queen‘s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” as a message to his girlfriend Kate. He said, “This song is the most memorable gift I can give her.”
Mel B wasn’t feeling it, but said, “You are really sweet and you have a lot of charisma.”
Heidi added, “I think we’re forgetting you are 17 years old. You make me happy.”
Simon said, “I think you were like a lollypop tonight. It was silly, the song. Your voice is better than that. I think it was bad song selection, but the performance was slick.”
Howie joked, “You’re a little cheesy and we’re a little lactose intolerant.”
We don’t know anything about the next contestant, except that Tape Face is funny. He didn’t disappoint.
Howie commented, “It is interesting. You make something out of the nothing. Now there is nothing and I saw something.”
Simon said, “What I do feel, Tape Face, is you are like Mr. Bean, you are so silly you are going to end up in movies or on your own TV show. I believe a star is being born out of sheer silliness.”
Heidi admitted to being a huge fan. “My most favorite act that you did was the first time I saw you.”
Mel B. said she was a little disappointed this time because her expectations were so high, but she, too, is a fan.
Next was Nick Cannon‘s Golden Buzzer winner, 90-year-old stripper Dorothy Williams from Hawaii, where she manages a senior center.
Nick presented her with flowers after her performance, and Howie said, “I love you. You are an inspiration.”
Mel B told her she was adorable. “I have to give you credit for getting up on stage and doing your own thing.”
Simon told her she got the tassels right this time and that was what they were going to judge her on.
Silva Sveta was next. It is the act where images are created and then the dancers incorporate their movement.
Simon said he didn’t like it very much. It was just a couple of guys with lasers, and he has seen better. He added, “I thought the first time you did it was way better and I hated the music.”
Howie disagreed with Simon, saying, “I thought it was classic dance with new age music.”
Mel B was 50/50, but Heidi liked it.
The final act of the night was Laura Bretan, Mel B’s Golden Buzzer winner, who has been singing opera since she was four years old. Now, she is 14 – and brought down the house with an amazing aria.
Mel B asked, “Where does this voice come from? It is incredible and so powerful. I am shaking.”
Simon told her, “This is why we made this show so we can find people like you. You are such a special, talented person. You went into turbo gear halfway through, I am so impressed.”
Heidi said, “What is so crazy to me, the harder it gets, the better you get.”
Only seven acts will go through. Voting continues until 7 a.m. on Wednesday. The results will be announced when America’s Got Talent returns Wednesday night on NBC.
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