America’s Got Talent 2023 Recap: Qualifiers 2 Performances
It’s the second week of America’s Got Talent LIVE qualifiers. Eleven more acts will compete for a spot in the finale. After America’s vote, only TWO acts will advance to the last show, revealed on Wednesday’s results show.
To vote for your favorite act, download the official America’s Got Talent phone app at the Apple store and Google Play, and/or vote at nbc.com. All voting methods CLOSE Wednesday 7 am ET.
Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara sit on the panel, while Terry Crews hosts.
America’s Got Talent 2023 Qualifiers 2: Find Out Who is Performing
America’s Got Talent 2023 Top 55 and New Format
America’s Got Talent 2023: Full Season 18 Schedule
Chioma & the Atlanta Drum Academy – Drumline – Terry Crews Golden Buzzer
The group is determined to make the new routine better than ever. This time, some of the drummers are scooting around the shiny floor wearing lit up athletic shoes. There is screaming and shouting and lots of drum and stick action. The judges are invited to join in. The choreography is definitely more complicated. Terry is very excited for his boys.
Howie said, “This is better…golden buzzer worthy.” Heidi said, ‘You put a show for us today. She hopes Beyonce notices. Sofia calls it the “perfect energy to open the show.” Simon says, “The energy was just unbelievable. It was brilliantly messy.” He could see them performing on the Super Bowl.
Sharpe Family Singers – Family singing group
The family shares that they chose their song very carefully. This time, they sing the classic rock song “Carry On My Wayward Son.” Hoo boy. They are good singers and harmonizers, but sorry. Have I been transported to Branson, MO? Or the 70s and the Osmonds? This is wicked corny. Howie buzzes them, which is really mean. But I get it.
Heidi is shocked that Howie buzzed, She compares them to the Partridge Family. That’s not really a compliment. Howie compares them to an outdated, corny cruise ship performance. HE IS CORRECT. He tells them to stay away from rock. Exactly. Sofia tries to say nice things, comparing them to a church social. Simon notes that they are wholesome. “A terrible song choice.” Alsok he didn’t like all of the vocals or the over-the-top facial expressions.
Three G – Hand balancers
The trio had a fall during their audition and couldn’t complete the routine. The judges sent them through anyway. The person who fell, broke her elbow. She’s still recovering. Nevertheless, they will recreate the trick that went wrong. They begin with a trick that, one wrong move, and it’s a concussion or worse. These women are incredibly strong. The routine flows like a contemporary dance. Very beautiful. They pull off the bit they messed up in their audition. The top gal couldn’t get her legs straight, but good enough.
Sofia says, “I love that you are so persistent,” Simon calls it “incredible.” He calls their audition “a disaster.” He admires that they kept going. “That’s like a 10.” Howie adds that America supports their home country, Ukraine. “You conquered and you raised the bar.” Heidi says, “I feel like a proud parent that this has finally worked.”
I think it’s funny that AGT promotes Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and Tik Tok but NOT X/Twitter. Back in the day, Twitter was everything when it came to social media and competitive reality shows. But you, know, it sucks now.
Erica Coffelt – Viral dancer
She’s basically a mom jeans Tik Tok dancer, with over 2 million followers on social media. She’s a super BASIC dancer, but she doesn’t really care. Enthusiasm rules the day for Erica. So good for her. I thought Howie would buzz her, but it ended being Simon.
Simon thought it went on too long. “This is actually terrible.” He applauds her popularity on social media, but it’s not a Vegas act, he says. Howie thinks she should perform backup for the Sharpe Family Singers. Heidi thinks she is climbing the ladder, slowly but surely. Sofia says, “She looks like she’ having the time of her life.”
Alfie Andrew – Kid singer
Alfie is from the UK. He came a long way to sing for Simon. Harry Styles is one of Alfie’s favorite singers, he’ll sing One Direction’s ballad “You and I.” tonight. He’s only 12 years old. He’s a ballad singer like David Archuleta. He reminds me of Archie at that age. And like David, he sings a song like he doesn’t want to be anywhere else but on stage.
Howie calls it the “best act of the night.” Heidi compares his voice to Adele’s. “You are incredible.” Sofia calls him “spectacular.” Simon says, “I have so much respect for you…I liked you on the audition. I loved you tonight. It wasn’t perfect, but there were moments I got goosebumps.” Simon thinks he has a chance to move on to the finals.
Ahren Belisle – Comic
Ahren is a mute comic who uses a text to voice app to tell his jokes. Ahren says his routine is harder than it looks, because so much could go wrong technically. It’s interesting that his jokes work despite being delivered by a Siri-like app. Maybe they work because they are delivered that way! He’s got a dog on stage with him, which may or may not be his service dog. Dogs always make things better.
Heidi says, “I love how you figured out your dream.” Sofia says, “I love the way you look at life. You’re so happy with yourself.” She jokes “I’m single.” Heh. Simon says, “You’re naturally funny. Unlike other acts tonight, I wanted it to go on longer. Even the dog’s funny.” Howie says, “I love this guy. You’re timing is great. I love when you work dirty (not on AGT!).”
Dani Kerr – Singer
She made a living playing cover songs, but didn’t have the courage to sing her own songs. Performing an original on AGT gave her a lot of courage. She’ll sing another original this week. The song, “The Truth,” is new. She calls it a “freedom song.” She accompanies herself on guitar, before her band joins in. It’s a decent song. But talent competition performances need big moments, and there are none here. Uh oh. Simon looks bored. Also, she’s singing under-pitch.
Sofia says, “I love that you stayed true to yourself.” Simon says, “I love you, I love your voice. I felt you performed it like you were in a bar. You could have given us a moment.” He’s got a point. The performance was underwhelming. Howie liked her last song better. “I didn’t connect with this song.” Heidi compliments her voice. Basically, it’s a mid tempo song that fell flat.
Ryland – Kid magician
It’s another English kiddo. Shin Lim is his favorite magician (he’ll be appearing on the results show tomorrow). This time, the 10 year old brought his dad, who shared his magical ability with him. His routine involves the audience, before breaking out the cards. The bit ended with a photo or something that represented a memory with his dad? That was hard to follow.
Simon says, “That was unbelievable. Incredible.” Howie says, “Hopefully America votes for you.” Heidi calls him a “little Harry Potter.” Sofia say, “You were so much more confident tonight. It was flowing.” Sorry, I didn’t get it.
Andrew Stanton – Sword swallower
Terry says people either love or hate this kind of act. I am squarely in the latter category. Yuck. This time, he’s got long spiral weapons attached to a power drill. Are you freaking kidding me? I can’t watch this stuff. First, he swallows two ordinary swords, but attaches an assistant laying on the floor to the swords and picks her up. Then, he suspends himself in midair, using the swallowed swords as anchors. So yeah, he’s stepped it up this time.
Simon thinks he hurt himself. “That was brilliantly disgusting. One of my favorite acts tonight.” Andrew’s eyes are watering and he looks VERY uncomfortable. Yikes. Heidi says, “It is very exciting. You have this distinctive look.” Sofia calls it disturbing, but she likes it.
Steel Panther – Heavy metal group
This rock group does a 80s hair band thing. They are good musicians, but kind of a corny throwback. It’s hard to tell whether they are serious or not. They’re singing one of their older songs. But for AGT, they had to change the lyrics. Oh. Harry Styles shout out. For people who wish it still was the 80s on the Sunset Strip, this band is for them.
Heidi says, “I love how you rock the stage.” She loves everything about them. Sofia says, “America is going to love you. You deserve to be here.” Simon pulls out the whole, “I didn’t like it…I loved it” deal. He compares their campy performance to KISS. It’s his favorite so far. Howie believes the act is “Top 10 material.”
Terry informs the audience that sword swallow Andrew Stanton was checked out by a medic…and he’s fine!
Murmuration – Dance group – Howie Mandel Golden Buzzer
The episode opens and closes with a Golden Buzzer act. The group from France performs a routine kind of similar to last year’s winners, The Mayyas. Before the performance a group member remarks how keeping a large group in perfect sync is all about constant counting. The act is quite mesmerising. They spell out a message of love with their arms. Pretty cool. I can’t see them NOT making the finals.
Howie calls his buzzer act “perfection.” He BEGS America to vote for them. Simon says “It was in a different league to anything we’ve seen so far…perfection.” Sofia calls the act “breathtaking. This is going to be a special night for you guys.” Heidi says they gave the music a heart beat. “Magical…I didn’t give you enough credit last time.” Howie responds, “TOLD YOU!”
