The summer’s #1 show, “America’s Got Talent,” auditions are over -- and now’s the best time to recap this years golden buzzer moments, sending these acts straight through to the live shows.
Each judge: Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara, are able to give out a golden buzzer, along with host Terry Crews.
Simon Cowell’s Pick: W.A.F.F.L.E Crew
In the fourth round of auditions, the W.A.F.F.L.E. crew dancers showed off their impressive moves in a performance that changed Cowell’s mind about dance auditions: “I wouldn’t say (dance acts) are my favorite category, because I’ve seen a lot of repetition over the years, but I liked something about your energy from the second you came on.” Cowell added that it was his favorite audition so far, and it ended with Cowell hitting the infamous golden buzzer.
Howie Mandel’s Pick: Brandon Leake
Brandon was the first spoken word artist to appear on “AGT”, and received a golden buzzer from Howie Mandel for his moving performance. Brandon performed an original poem about how he lost his little sister at a young age. Before hitting the buzzer, Mandel said, “we feel your pain, we feel your love, and you moved me to do this.”
Heidi Klum’s Pick: Cristina Rae
After Simon Cowell asked for an encore performance, Cristina delivered an emotional rendition of The Rolling Stones song “Gimme Shelter” which was important to Cristina after she experienced homelessness while pregnant with her son. Heidi said Cristina’s performance gave her chills and asked if she was ready for this, then continued saying, “because I’m ready, to push this button for you.”
Sofia Vergara’s Pick: Roberta Battaglia
10-year-old Roberta Battaglia shocked the judges with her rendition of “Shallow” from “A Star Is Born.” After telling the judges that she’s been bullied and it’s always been a dream of hers to be on the AGT stage, Sofia said “let’s see who’s going to bully you after this,” then hit the golden buzzer.
Terry Crews’s Pick: Voices of Our City Choir
Terry didn’t hesitate to use his golden buzzer in the first episode of AGT when Voices of Our City Choir gave an emotional performance of their original song “Sounds of the Street.” The 225-member group of singers all have experienced being homeless and unsheltered, and Crews felt moved to use his golden buzzer and move them to the live shows.