NBA Finals and World Cup who? This summer, some of the most talented people from across the world made their way to the iconic America’s Got Talent stage for the Season 21 auditions. In the June 2 premiere episode, 11 acts put on a showcase looking for the all-important “yes” vote of confidence from series judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Sofia Vergara, and Howie Mandel that could make them the next AGT champion.
If not a “yes,” the talented hopefuls were looking for one of two Golden Buzzers that each judge and host Terry Crews has in their pocket for the auditions round. The 10 acts chosen in that way earn a ticket straight to the live shows. Acts not originally chosen to advance would participate in an all new Judges’ Callbacks round for a second chance to earn their spot through judges’ deliberation.
Read on for our “Auditions 1” recap of the contestants who performed on America’s Got Talent Season 21, Episode 1, which aired June 2 at 8 p.m. on NBC.
Aggy
Talent: Interpretative dance (silent)
Hometown: Nigeria
Votes Yes/No: No — Sofia, Howie, Simon
Buzzers: None
Howie’s comments: “This is our first day; I thought confusion.”
Sofia’s comments: “I just sat at this desk. I wanted to ease into it and I wasn’t prepared for this.”
Simon’s comments: “I think people watching would probably turn the volume up thinking your music’s quiet … dancing without music? Got it … if you’d like to come back later with music, I’m personally inviting you.”
Lai Noelle
Talent: Singing
Hometown: Texas
Votes Yes/No: N/A
Buzzers: Simon’s first Golden Buzzer
Simon’s comments: “Lai, should I tell you what I think? Words aren’t necessary … I shut my eyes for a moment and I was thinking that’s not you singing. You’ve got such a gift.” [ Simon hits Golden Buzzer]
Sofia’s comments: “You stole my Golden Buzzer. He stole her from me, just so you guys know.”
Tyrone and Margo
Talent: Knife-throwing and crossbow
Votes Yes/No: Yes — Howie, Mel, Sofia, Simon
Buzzers: None
Simon’s comments: “It was the speed that got me; the fact that it was so quick. It was really good.”
Sofia’s comments: “Margo, you look so sure of what you’re doing. I would have never guessed you went through a traumatic experience.”
Mel’s comments: “I didn’t see a lot of it because I was actually quite terrified.”
Howie’s comments: “We have seen a lot of crossbow acts and I think what you showed us differently was Margo; you could be like a Marvel superhero character.”
Nolan Ross Palmer
Talent: Eating hot dogs on fire
Votes Yes/No: No — Howie, Mel, Sofia
Buzzers: X – Simon
Sofia’s comments: “You were eating hot dogs on fire? No wonder you didn’t tell your friends and family. I think you’re gonna get major acid reflux in a couple of years. … Simon, tell him what you think.”
Simon’s comments: “I think you have to stop doing it.”
Josh Sherman
Talent: Trumpet
Hometown: Las Vegas
Buzzers: X — Mel, Simon, Sofia, Howie
Simon’s comments: “Josh, why did you play that? Can you go to the good bit?”
Sofia’s comments: “I think it’s the first time on AGT that we did two times the red buzzers.”
Simon’s additional comments: “You got eight X’s, that means no.”
Acro Crew
Talent: Dance crew and dog act
Hometown: Canada
Votes Yes/No: N/A
Buzzers: Terry’s first Golden Buzzer
Sofia’s comments: “It’s like my two favorite acts which is dancing and dog acts. Together, I really wasn’t expecting this; it was too much for me … you guys are so good … it was the perfect idea to come to AGT.”
Howie’s comments: “I agree. You blew me away … I love everything about you.”
Terry’s comments: “Hold up, hold up. I have never ever seen anything like this in my life. You are now Acro Crews!” [Terry hits Golden Buzzer]
Kev Adams
Talent: Stand-up comedy
Hometown: France
Votes Yes/No: Yes — Howie, Mel, Sofia, Simon
Buzzers: None
Howie’s comments: “I am so bowled over by you. What you just did; people don’t know how hard it is to stand there and talk … you are absolutely brilliant.”
Sofia’s comments: “You don’t know how hard it is to be funny in a language that is not yours.”
Mel’s comments: “You were just hot, crazy, sexy, cool, all that stuff. You’re very very funny, very likable, very relatable.”
Simon’s comments: “Apart from the fact that you’re naturally funny, you’re just fearless with it. … Your comedy is really really funny.”
Aggy (again)
Talent: Interpretative dance (with music)
Hometown: Nigeria
Votes Yes/No: Yes — Mel, Simon; No — Howie, Sofia
Buzzers: None
Simon’s comments: “What a difference! My favorite was loneliness.”
Sofia’s comments: “I don’t want to be a party pooper, but I liked it without the music better. You’re cool and super adorable, but I don’t think you can win AGT with that.”
Howie’s comments: “I’m agreeing with Sofia … as a dancer, we have better dancers.”
Mel’s comments: “It’s not bloody easy, is it? Nowhere else would we be able to see this apart from this stage.”
Luke Taleno
Talent: Rapping
Hometown: Hialeah, Fla.
Buzzers: Howie’s first Golden Buzzer
Sofia’s comments: “I loved it. It was amazing. I am so glad that you made it to the stage because you deserve to be on the stage.”
Mel’s comments: “I liked it, but I think it wasn’t the best or greatest audition. You were running out of breath towards the end of the song… I love that it was your original song and you have heart and that goes a long way.”
Simon’s comments: “He was getting excited. Actually I could tell you were getting emotional midway through, but I really admire people who just do it.”
Howie’s comments: “You are truly the image of what I believe authenticity is. Last year you predicted something and I just have one question. How did you know?!” [Howie hits Golden Buzzer]
KOSE 8ROCKS
Talent: Dance crew
Hometown: Japan
Votes Yes/No: Yes — Sofia
Buzzers: None
Sofia’s comments: “Spectacular. Perfect audition. I wouldn’t change one thing. All of it. Perfect.”
Unitree
Talent: Robotics and dance
Hometown: China
Votes Yes/No: Yes — Howie, Mel, Sofia, Simon
Buzzers: None
Simon’s comments: “They don’t look human, but they’re all staring at me right now. I mean that was nuts, but brilliant.”
Sofia’s comments: “I’ve never seen anything like this because usually those robots are like very weird. These ones had rhythm. It was like watching people dance.”
Mel’s comments: “I found this fascinating. I do find it a little bit freaky, but they all knew the choreography. If anyone was out of sync it was you because they were all perfect.”
Community ATL Choir
Talent: Singing
Hometown: Atlanta
Votes Yes/No: Yes — Howie, Mel, Sofia, Simon
Buzzers: None
Mel’s comments: “Oh my god. Wowza. That was just everything for me. The harmonies, the vibe, the swag. Loved it loved it loved it.”
Howie’s comments: “It makes you smile. You couldn’t do anything but smile… that was a couple of minutes of great escape.”
Sofia’s comments: “It was the perfect audition. It was a surprise. The song was perfect. It brought everyone a beautiful energy.”
Simon’s comments: “I honestly think this was one of the best choirs we’ve had in years. You were prepped, the choreography was amazing, the vocal arrangements were amazing. You have sensed the mood and done exactly the right thing which is give us something that makes us feel great.”
