America’s Got Talent 2023 Recap Auditions 9
America’s Got Talent 2023 auditions conclude on NBC with tonight’s episode 9. The season 18 judges panel includes Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara. Terry Crews hosts. See more acts vying for the 1 million dollar prize and a headlining show in Las Vegas on week 9 of the auditions.
The last golden buzzer, the “group” golden buzzer will be handed out this week!
America’s Got Talent 2023 Spoilers Auditions 9 – Meet the Acts
America’s Got Talent 2023 Full Season 18 Schedule
Improv Everywhere – Improv Group (Comedy)
A guy walks out on stage and introduces himself as Wesley Plumber, a piano player who works in tech. He plays and sings and is thoroughly mediocre. The crowd boos. The buzzers start. An “audience member” interrupts and begins singing to “give him another chance.” Yes. this is a bit. More “audience members” emerge. The “singers” are members of an improv group. One is even holding a camera like he works for the show. He sings again–and there’s is a choir in the upper audience. Then a marching band comes down the aisles. “Massively organized stunts in public places,” are the group’s thing. They have appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, and in The New York Times. A few of their videos have gone viral.
Heidi calls it “fun.” Sofia wished she was more surprised. Simon however says he was surprised and liked that it got bigger and bigger and bigger. Sofia says no. Howie is on the fence. He calls it a party trick and says no. Two nos, two yeses
Duo Dadiva – Rolla Rolla Acrobatic Duo
Duo Dadiva is an acrobatic duo that incorporates rolla rolla while displaying strength through balancing and acrobatics. The duo from Cuba is comprised of Iyolexan Torres Alvarez and Amalia Cruz Duquen. They live in France now. In the act, Iyolexan balances on a rolla rolla while simultaneously balancing Amalia.
Sofia calls it amazing while Simon calls it boring. Heidi has mixed feelings. Howie agrees with Sofia. Simon says no, but the rest say yes. The audience convinces Heidi to put the duo through. 3 yeses, 1 no
Ahmed Bharoocha – Comedian
Ahmed describes himself as “half California, half Rhode Island.” He has a resume which includes a lead role on Dream Corp LLC on Adult Swim, and appearances on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Conan, and Comedy Central. He does a bit on ants and gets Howie cracking up.
Simon says no, and the rest say yes – 3 yeses, 1 no.
Daragh and Dexter – Dog Act
Dexter, the balancing dog, owned by Daragh Kavanagh, has been featured on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Good Morning America. He specializes in balancing items on the dog’s head. First an apple, a basketball, and waffles, which he stacks up.
Howie is bored. Heidi agrees. Simon calls the dog a natural comedian. Sofia is with Simon. The crowed couldn’t convince Howie to vote yes, so it’s a no. 2 nos, 2 yeses
Donovyn Diaz – Dancer
This 20-year-old dancer is from New Jersey and started dancing in high school to earn a scholarship. He grew to love it. His family is in the audience, including his mother who is battling breast cancer. Donovyn performs in a contemporary style, with plenty of acrobatic moves. In high school, he competed in gymnastics. The emotional performance wins over the crowd. Unfortunately, with SYTYCD and WOD kaput, it’s AGT or nothing for a talented dancer like Donovyn.
“Your mom is going to be so proud,” says Sofia. Howie notes that people in the audience were crying. Heidi calls it incredible. Simon says, “You controlled the stage…you are a total star.” 4 yeses
Papayaso – Comedic Clown
Uh oh. Simon hates clowns. Papayaso introduces himself in Spanish. He’s from Chile, he tells Sofia. She translates. He starts off with a bunch of corny impressions of animals, before launching into credible impressions of famous actors. The Spanish against perfect American and English accents is where the comedy lies. Even Simon is smiling. Even after he does the inevitable impression of him. “I’ve seen funnier clowns in horror films.”
Sofia calls it a “very big surprise. Howie believes he delivered “a moment.” Heidi loves his excitement. Simon says, “I don’t know what to say. I’ve never seen or met a funny clown…you might be the only one.” 4 yeses.
Heather and Bogart – Dog Act
Heather Knudson, from Pennsylvania, owns a three-legged dog named Bogart. a pitbull mix. In their audition previewed last week, Heather explains how she volunteered at an animal shelter and their rescue was able to save him, before she and her husband adopted him. Later, they had to amputate one of his legs due to a cancerous bump. Bogart runs obstacle courses, often winning against 4-legged competitors. He’s very cute and runs the course enthusiastically and near perfectly. He brings her a sign that once unfurled says “Bogart PAWS Simon.” Of course, the dog lover can’t resist.
Heidi believes Bogart will be a big hit on America’s Got Talent. “I love Bogart,” gushes Simon. He calls Heather a nice and kind person for saving Bogart. “It’s just an amazing story.” Sofia calls it “heartwarming and beautiful.” Bogart flops while Howie is speaking as if to say, “I’ve heard enough, I need a nap!” So cute. 4 yeses
Morgan & Roxi – Aerial Duo
Morgan Barbour and Roxi Kevill are aerialists who only met 9 weeks before the audition. After Morgan’s partner ditched her for another job, she was forced to find a new one. Morgan lives in Virginia and Roxi lives in London. Roxi’s hair is unusual. That’s because as they perform on aerial hoops, Roxi sticks a device in her hair to use as a hanging device. Additionally, Morgan holds a strap by her teeth, which can’t be good.
Howie calls it “wonderful.” Heidi says, “This is the kind of act that I love.” Sofia noticed how much fun they had up on stage. Simon really likes them both. “It wasn’t perfect…but that’s what made it so great.” 4 yeses.
Josh Alfred – Comedian
Josh is a Nigerian comedian who introduces himself as a speed reader. He says he’ll spend his million dollar winnings on books. He speaks gibberish as he flips through a few tomes. The audience boos. Sofia buzzes him. According to the press photos, the act was much longer, and included outfits. Weird! (But maybe not…see below). He has 2.4 million followers on Tik Tok and 2.7 million followers on Instagram. One skit on Tik Tok titled “Fastest Rapper in the World” has 44.6 million views and 3.5 million likes.
The judges dismiss him quickly in the clip. 4 nos.
Titos Tsai – Sword Dancer
Titos is a sword dancer from Taiwan. He reveals to the judges that he will dance with a “dangerous thing.” The “dangerous thing” wind up being three long very sharp looking swords. He performs a graceful dance that is half juggling, half dancing. He swirls around the stage while balancing the swords. One wrong move and EEP. The act manages to impart dancer and grace at the same time. It’s quite beautiful.
Heidi calls the act “mesmerizing…it was incredible…beautiful.” Sofia is awed by how much practice it must have taken to pull off the act. Howie thinks “beautiful and dangerous” describes the act perfectly. Simon calls it dramatic and exciting. Watching AGT, Titos says, taught him how to perform. Standing on the AGT stage was his dream. 4 yeses.
Eduardo Antonio Trevino – Mariachi Singer
Eduardo’s audition was previewed earlier today. An 11-year-old from Houston Texas, he describes himself as a “mariachi soloist.” The young singer was inspired by his great-grandfather who recorded music in 1926, but abandoned his dream because he couldn’t make a decent living. A band joins Eduardo onstage as he belts out the Spanish language song with confidence. Putting music genre aside, Eduardo is a talented singer and can hold a note. His enthusiasm is infectious. He’s been singing since 3 years old and it shows.
Sofia is very impressed. Heidi loves how he can drag out the notes. “I loved it,” she says. Howie appreciates how he brought his culture to the AGT stage. “I really enjoyed it.” Simon “absolutely loved” his audition. “You’re like a proper lead singer…you have a natural talent.” – 4 yeses
Josh Alfred – Comedian – AGAIN
OK. The outfits from the press photos EXPLAINED. Josh comes out again in a big afro wig and basketball shirt. This time he says “I’m the fastest rapper in the world.” This is what he’s known for–how he’s racked up millions of social media views. This is such a set up. Heidi and Sofia buzz him.
And they all say NO again. Pointless There is one more outfit. Maybe he’ll come back a third time. – 4 nos
Kevin Li – Magician
Kevin is from Los Angeles and his dream is to have his own residency in Las Vegas. The 25 year old grew up watching the show with his family. He starts off with photos of himself, the judges and Terry displayed on an easel. The act also involves playing cards. It’s the close up magic Simon is not a fan of. But while performing tricks, he weaves in stories regarding memories. He’s half mentalist, half sleight of hand. At one point, he pulled a popcorn kernel out of his eye. Ew. He’s a gross out artist too. He finishes by conjuring childhood photos of everybody to replace the current photos on the board.
Heidi loves his magic and him. She loved the popcorn kernel trick. Sofia calls it “spectacular.” Simon says, “You’re just good. You’re cool and you’re different. You’re slick. You’re very us.” Howie loves his storytelling. “I think you just had a career and life changing performance,” he declares. 4 yeses.
Josh Alfred – Comedian – AGAIN AGAIN
Yep. Suspected he was coming back. This time, Josh introduces himself as a magician. Howie buzzes him immediately. He’s basically trolling magicians like Kevin. He brings out Terry to “control his mind” and does no such thing. But finally, the judges are laughing.
Simon says, “I think you are hilarious.” He overrules everyone “You’ve got 4 yeses.” The audience is on his side finally. “Do you have a second song,” Simon cracks. Josh raps again, but even faster! So…Josh is season 18’s Sethward. Got it. Makes me kinda miss the ole worm. His perennial bits landed better.
Chibi Unity – Dance Group – Group Golden Buzzer
The group is from Niigata, Japan. When the members were 13-17 years old in 2020, they competed on NBC’s World of Dance Season 4, where they made it to the duels and were eliminated there. The group was inspired by last years winners, Lebanese dance act Mayyas. The large group, dressed in gray hoodies, begin in shadows against a scrim, but then emerge to perform acrobatic and precise choreography. After the scrim comes down, they use it as a prop. Eventually they toss the hoodies. The theme is clear–emerging out of darkness. The room erupts at the end.
“You took it to another level,” says Howie. “I would love to see an hour of you in Las Vegas.” Heidi calls it unexpected, “Very dynamic and super good.” They gave Sofia goosebumps. “The perfect AGT audition.” Simon says, “It was so powerful, so original, so incredible.” He adds, “We’re all thinking the same thing.” He calls Terry down to the table. As the crowd chants “golden buzzer, golden buzzer,” all five hit it together.” Here comes the confetti.
