The “America’s Got Talent” team is back.
In Tuesday’s premiere, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, and host Terry Crews returned to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in LA to discover new talent—or lack thereof—19 seasons into the competition.
The two-hour episode on NBC showcased 11 auditions, including two golden buzzers, a pair of pointe shoes, several seemingly dislocated fingers, and one of the creepiest contortionists ever seen.
Of course, there were a few misses involving too many toilet plungers and a dog that clearly didn’t want to be on the “AGT” stage. But for every grimace from a judge, there was real talent and heart from some performers.
The illusion that talent is discovered here might be shattered when you realize some contestants already had a head start in their careers (spoiler: one singer can be heard on Beyoncé’s record-breaking “Cowboy Carter”). However, this doesn’t mean they aren’t deserving of the national stage. It’s all about entertainment.
Reyna Roberts, who lent her vocals to Beyoncé’s “Blackbiird,” showcases an original performance.
While Reyna Roberts may not be immediately recognizable to “AGT” viewers visually, her distinctive sound may ring a bell.
She was one of the Black country artists Beyoncé brought on for the tracks “Blackbiird” and “Tyrant” in “Cowboy Carter.” (Though this major accomplishment isn’t highlighted on the show.)
Dressed in a matching red leather outfit complete with thigh-high boots and her signature long red hair, Reyna commanded the stage with the assured presence of stars like Lady A or Carrie Underwood as she effortlessly hit high notes.
Mandel was the only dissenting voice—”It didn’t hook me,” he said—but the judges ultimately gave the country artist three yeses.
“I’m so thrilled, beyond thrilled, that you came on the show, really,” Cowell said.
Ballerina accomplishes ‘one of the most difficult acts’ that ‘AGT’ has seen
Ashlee Montague proved a very doubtful Cowell wrong by showing that ballet can make great TV.
Described on her Instagram as a Guinness World Record holder, “extreme ballerina,” and Cirque du Soleil alum, Ashlee began her performance with an already impressive routine. But she surpassed herself by climbing a platform at least a dozen feet high to perform a stunt that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
Balancing on pointe in her ballet shoes, Ashlee skillfully traversed the narrow rims of 10 glass bottles with remarkable poise.
Cowell, who had earlier muttered that “nobody actually likes the ballet,” had to eat his words.
Ashlee’s four weeks of nonstop rehearsing paid off, and she successfully crossed the props—an accomplishment that left her in tears and the judges eager to give her their yeses.
“You’ve found a way of making it interesting,” Cowell said of Ashlee’s extreme version of ballet, adding that her performance was “one of the most difficult acts we’ve seen for a long, long time.”
Who earned the Golden Buzzer?
Learnmore Jonasi, a Zimbabwean comedian living in the U.S. who learned English by watching stand-up specials, earned a standing ovation for his routine. He highlighted the differences between his rural village and American culture, prompting Cowell to say he was “one of the funniest people we’ve had.”
According to his website, Learnmore has been featured in Steve Harvey’s Spotlight Contest and has both a booking agent and a manager. He may not be entirely undiscovered, but he certainly won over the judges and audience, earning the Golden Buzzer from one of his heroes, Terry Crews.
Klum awarded the other Golden Buzzer to Richard Goodall, the final audition of the night, for his spot-on rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” The 55-year-old elementary school custodian, who has been in the profession for 23 years, was nervous as he took the stage in a newsboy cap and rectangular glasses.
To top it off, this trip to LA was his first time on an airplane.
Richard, who went viral in 2022 for his Journey performance at his students’ graduation and received praise from Steve Perry and the iconic band, may not have made it on “The Voice,” as per a TikTok he posted nearly two years ago.
But now he has the bragging rights as Cowell’s “hero.”
