America’s Got Talent 2023 Premiere Recap
America’s Got Talent returns to NBC tonight for season 18 with Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara on the judges panel. Terry Crews hosts. See the new acts vying for the 1 million dollar prize and a headlining show in Las Vegas.
America’s Got Talent 2023 Premiere Spoilers – Meet the Acts (Photos)
Watch out for tonight’s Golden Buzzer twist! Season 18 will feature at least SEVEN Golden Buzzers. ON Britain’s Got Talent, the show has been handing them out left and right, so it’s no surprise.
Trex Flips – Dinosaur gymnast
The minute Sofia sees a dude in a giant dinosaur costume she says she wants to say no already. Patrick is currently a project manager at a HVAC company. They don’t know he’s auditioning. His act consists of gymnastic tricks, but dressed in a giant dinosaur costume. It’s very silly. The crowd loves it.
Sofia is happy she didn’t say no. Patrick’s goal is to make people happy. Simon calls it the best dancing dinosaur they’ve ever had on AGT. Howie wants to give him his first yes. Simon hesitates for a moment until the audience begins chanting. Pretty sure this is the entire act. What else could he possibly do in that get up? 4 yeses
Philip Bowen – Fiddle player
Philip is a project manager in Detroit. Itzhak Perlman and Howie are cousins! Anyway, he inspired Philip to play. His mom is in love with Simon. He wants to inspire his 3 children. Unlike most of the AGT violinists, he doesn’t play a fancy electric getup or dance around. But his playing is very skillful and his arrangement inventive. He’s gone viral on Tik Tok, so he’s not a complete unknown.
Philip becomes emotional after receiving a standing ovation. Simon calls him talented and charismatic. “You will make your mom and dad so proud.” She’s in the audience crying. Sofia thinks the performance will change his life. Howie calls him beautiful. Simon gives mom a big hug, while Heidi embraces dad. – 4 yeses
Steel Panther – Heavy metal hair band
NBC dropped a preview of this act over the weekend. The group’s video package features a Spinal Tap like documentary with actual Heavy Metal stars talking about the history of Steel Panther. They faded into obscurity only to return in 2023 on AGT. They’ve been together for 40 years! (Not really). The band is actually a comedy act, but that may not be clear to people watching, because they are solid musicians and singers, and the panel takes them very seriously. The quartet play their original song “Eyes of a Panther.”
Howie says “I love this kind of music…you are here to bring it.” Heidi “absolutely loved it.” Sofia says her husband hired them for his 40th birthday. Uh oh. Conflict of interest. Simon calls them talented “I could see this in Vegas. Brilliant.” – 4 yeses
Allan Reinikka – Senior Pole Dancer
He’s a geriatric pole dancer, but not a very good one. He’s buzzed off pretty quick. Simon calls it boring
Nancy LaFancy – Dancer
A return contestant, Nancy already competed on AGT Season 5 as a dancer, but all the judges buzzed her. She acts the fool on stage and…gets buzzed again! She must be a glutton for punishment
Three G – Hand balancers
The trio are from Ukraine. So get the hankies out already! The Got Talent in their country inspired them to create their act. The trio has been together for 2 years. Hand balancing takes a ton of strength and coordination. Their final trick is very ambitious and at a crucial time, all three tumble to the ground. They get back up unhurt and try again. And fail again. It looks like a trick that wasn’t quite ready for prime time.
Howie liked the moves they were able to complete. Very skilled, he calls it. “It doesn’t matter that you fell down but that you got back up.” Sofia admires that they kept trying and that everything else was “spectacular.” Heidi begs them not to feel bad “I still love the three of you.” Simon thinks the act showed their courage. “It makes it more human. We saw enough. This act belongs on this stage.” 4 yeses
Trigg Watson – Magician
He combines his tech knowledge with his magic act. His bit includes a facsimile of an iPhone. He plays Tik Tok videos and seemingly grabs items from the videos into the “real world” and vice versa. He uses clips from Howie, Terry and Heidi, so some are not made up. But even the clips made up for the act are clever enough to be impressive. Very unique.
Howie calls it amazing and jaw dropping. “I think you could win this season.” Sofia calls it “so different.” Heidi says, “You just kept it coming.” Simon loved it. “It was different…brilliant.” 4 yeses
Kozo – Comedic performer
Kozo is from Japan and has an interpreter with him to help. He works at a care facility for disabled people and also failed the exam to become a firefighter. He comes out on stage in a tuxedo, which he strips off to reveal a white onsie. The act is him playing with a remote control helicopter. He ends with trying to land it on his butt, which he barely manages.
Heidi, Sofia and Simon buzz him right away. Sofia calls it “creative” but “the landing was not for AGT.” Simon says, “You flown in all the way from Japan to do THAT? Without being rude, I could do that.” Howie calls it original and interesting “I liked it.” Howie says yes, but the rest say no. Kozo begs to try one more time. Sads. 3 nos 1 yes.
D’Corey Johnson – Kid singer
11 year old singer wants to be on Broadway and in movies. He watches AGT almost EVERY DAY because Simon keeps it real like his mama. He sings Journey’s “Open Arms.” Somebody should coach him to cut the corny arm movements. He’s still imitating things he’s seen. But he’s got potential. The crowd gives him a standing ovation.
But Simon wants him to try again without the backing track. It forces him to pull back the corny presentation, highlighting his strong singing. Simon gives him a standing ovation. D’Corey begins to cry. Sofia calls him “amazing” and says, “You have a place on Broadway.” Heidi and Howie believes the music was “in the way.” Simon thinks his voice is “distinctive” adding “things are going to be amazing for you.” 4 yeses
Shadow Ace – Shadow puppetry
NBC previewed this act last week. Shadow Ace is from Philippines. He’s reviving a “lost” art, shadow puppets. Which really isn’t lost? He grew up without electricity. Puppetry by candlelight is how he amused himself. He loves Beyonce. And because she invited AGT winners The Mayyas to perform with her in Dubai, he assumes she’s watching (No). The act is comedic. It’s a little weird that he he plays domestic violence for laughs though, even if the female pole dancer knocks out her boyfriend after he pulls her ponytail. The whole bit is pretty weird.
The crowd cheers and the judges love it though. Sofia calls it “spectacular.” Simon says, “Kids are going to love this…fun and original.” Uh…the pole dancing domestic violence theme is maybe NOT appropriate for kids? Howie could watch it all night and thinks audiences will eat it up. Heidi liked that it was “fun.” 4 yeses
Orlando Leyba – Comedian
Orlando is 45 and from Miami, Florida. He tells jokes about his family life, particularly his wife. Also riffs on the TV show Yellowstone by recounting his trip to the park. Orlando is already pretty pro. He’s appeared on the Tonight Show. Once he gets going, he’s fairly amusing. By the end, the audience is 100 percent on his side. He throws in a Yogi Bear joke!
Simon says, “You are just naturally funny.” Sofia says, “You deserve to be on the stage.” Howie says, “You are like fine wine, at the top of your game.” Heidi calls him super cute. “You made us laugh. Well done.” 4 yeses
Mzansi Youth Choir – NEW Audience Golden Buzzer!
The group is from South Africa. 20 years ago their founders were carjacked by young people. It prompted them to start the choir to help disadvantaged youth. They sing the late Nightbirde’s audition song “It’s OK'” Two years ago, Simon chose Nightbirde as his Golden Buzzer. She shared about her struggle with cancer. Sadly, illness forced her to drop out of the show, and then she passed away months later. The group pays a beautiful tribute to the late singer. Why are the overseas choirs always superior to the groups from the States? They give the song an African flavor.
Of course, the judges are on their feet. Heidi explains Nightbirde’s story. Sofia calls them “fantastic.” Howie will always remember Nightbirde. “You deserve so much more than a yes.” They recorded the song and Nightbirde responded “beautifully” one of the members remark. “This brought back so many memories for me,” Simon says crying. “I know how much this would have meant to her….the most amazing tribute. Breathtaking.”
The audience begins chanting “Golden Buzzer” Simon says they’ve discussed giving the audience something. So THE AUDIENCE GOLDEN BUZZER IS BORN. All five hit the buzzer on behalf of the audience.
