Less than 50 percent of the acts performing Tuesday night on America’s Got Talent‘s second semi-final episode will not make it to the finals. There are only five spots left and 11 acts competing. They are: Jayna Brown, Calystsa Bevier, The Clairvoyants, Kadie Lynn, Brian Crum, Linkin’ Bridge, Kadan Bart Rockett, Viktor Kee, Sofie Dossi, Passing Zone, and Steven Brundage.
First up was Louis Tomlinson from One Direction‘s Golden Buzzer pick: 14-year-old Jayna Brown from Baltimore, Maryland, who performed Katy Perry‘s “Rise.”
Judge Simon Cowell joked, “It wasn’t great,” but then he added, “It was incredible. That was your best performance. This is the performance you will be remembered for.”
Howie Mandel said, “You sound beautiful. You just set the bar for tonight and you set it high.”
Mel B added, “That was a big song to take on, but you did it. Well done!”
Heidi Klum told her, “I just love you. You will rise, rise, rise. Every time we see you, you get better.”
Next was magician Kadan Bart Rockett and his sister/assistant Brooklyn who performed some school-room magic, which actually incorporated members from Kadan’s fifth-grade class.
Howie said, “As an adult, magic makes us feel like a kid – and done by a kid, it’s amazing.”
Mel B didn’t love it, pointing out, “It wasn’t the slickest of performances, but nevertheless you made your entire class and teacher appear.”
Heidi told them, “I think the two of you are the coolest kids. I think your teacher would agree you need an A+ for that performance.”
Simon added, “You two are so funny and you’ve turned this into a great, little double act. It’s your best performance yet.”
Performing third was singer Kadie Lynn, who belted out Lee Ann Womack‘s country tune, “I Hope You Dance.”
Mel B said, “Throughout the whole of that performance, you were strong and confident. I urge everybody to vote for you.”
Heidi added, “You sang that so beautifully. Your parents must be so proud of you.”
Simon said, “I am blown away by the fact that we have seen three performances and the average age was around 12 and all three nailed it. This was a lot better than the performance you did before where the tracks swamped you. This time we heard you.”
Kadie was followed by Ukranian juggler Viktor Kee, who proved he may just be the best juggler in the world with an act that takes the art form to a whole new level.
Heidi complimented him and teased him at the same time, saying, “I think everyone knows how much I love you and your balls. You can play with your balls all day long. I will remember you for years to come. You are very special.”
Simon agreed, adding, “What you demonstrated is you have what it takes to be a star. You only have balls, but what you do with them is imaginative, different and memorable. You deserve a place here next week.”
Howie simply called him the Baryshnikov of juggling, and Mel B said, “You are so slick. Your show is already there. I just want to make sure people vote for you. You have a good chance of winning this.
The judges put through Louisville, Kentucky, group Linkin’ Bridge, after they competed in the Live Save in the quarter-finals. The group harmonized on Lukas Graham‘s “7 Years.”
Simon said, “That was a stunning performance, a stunning song choice. This could actually be made as a record. Everything you have done so far means that you deserve a place next week.”
Howie told them, “You made it. You should be proud. You are inspirational and always surprising. I agree with Simon. They’ve got to be in the finals.”
Mel B added, “From the first note, you were in it to win it. I wondered, “Where can you go from here?” But it just got bigger. You put Boyz 11 Men to shame.”
And Heidi said, “You come prepared. You rehearse and rehearse, and your song is always a surprise.”
The judges’ wildcard pick, the comedy/juggling team Passing Zone, were put through by Howie, Heidi and Mel B. But Simon wasn’t a fan because he knew they were going to use him in their fiery act – which is what they did.
Howie told them, “That is the most fun I have had this season. You made me feel like Elton John and that was my candle in the wind. You were funny and agile.”
Mel B added, “I just love your banter. You are full-on comedians and full-on jugglers.”
Heidi admitted “I haven’t laughed like this in such a long time. What is amazing is you didn’t burn any of his chest hair that is coming out of his shirt.”
The next act fighting for her dream was Simon’s Golden Buzzer pick and cancer survivor Calysta Bevier, who sang Christina Perri‘s “Human.”
Simon said, “Every time, I want it to happen so much for you. I love the fact that you have been brave enough to share everything with us over the few months. That lyric meant a lot. I think you’ve done enough to be in the finals.”
Howie pointed out that Calysta is a great example of surviving, which is so much more important than winning this competition.
Mel B added, “You are a beautiful girl with a beautiful soul and a beautiful voice. That was a big song to take on, and you did hold on, but I kept waiting for that breakout note. I want to see you next week for that breakout note.”
Rubic’s Cube expert magician Steven Brundage was next to take the stage with a trick he has never done before that involved 204 cubes.
Heidi said, “I am so impressed with you. I love how you come up with so many different ways of doing magic with your cubes.”
Simon told him, “You have made the boring fascinating. I think you are the most improved contestant. Thanks to America for bringing you back.”
Steven was followed by contortionist Sofie Dossi from Cypress, California, who is self-taught.
Simon said, “When I was watching that I thought of so many performances tonight from people who are not professionals that have come from people’s imagination to put on a show. I feel like I am not watching a talent competition, I am watching the Olympics. It was so good. I am so impressed with your showmanship.”
Howie exclaimed, “It was wow. It was beautiful. I hope people vote because I don’t know if they can tell how high in the air you are.”
Mel B added, “It was so dramatic and you are doing this just with your body. You are incredible. It was by far, the best performance of the night for me.”
Heidi said, “I loved that you changed it up and left the bow and arrow at home tonight.”
The Clairvoyants took the stage and went to the hidden places of the judges’ minds for an outstanding performance.
Howie declared it his favorite performance of the night.
Mel B said she was so spooked. “The fact that you actually got my grandmother’s name and initial right, I’m scared,” she said.
Heidi added, “I don’t think we need a clairvoyant to know you will be there next week.”
And Simon wrapped it up, saying, “It is like being in a ghost movie. The fact that we were so close meant no tricks. You obviously have special powers. I applaud you, because it is more than your powers, you put on this delicious, creepy show. I think the final wouldn’t be the same without you.”
The last act of the night was singer Brian Crum from San Diego, California, who sang Tears For Fears‘ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”
Mel B said, “Nobody else matters right now. It was perfection from start to finish. God, I love you.”
Heidi agreed, saying, “It was so passionate and what an inspired performance. He has to be in the finals.”
Simon said, “I didn’t like the start of the track, but you found your way midway. I do believe it is your time now, Brian. You’ve turned into more than singer; you’ve turned into a performer. I think America is going to get behind you and we will see you in the finale.”
Howie simply said, “I think you are ruling the world tonight.”
America’s Got Talent returns on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC when the five acts making it through into the finals will be named.
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