America’s Got Talent 2024 Recap: AGT continues LIVE with Quarterfinals part 2
The Top 44 has been revealed! Eleven acts took the stage live last week, and now the competition continues on to week 2 of the Quarterfinals. 11 more acts compete. A Live Show Golden Buzzer will send one act directly to the Finals. America can vote for their three favorite acts to advance to the Semi-finals by using the “AGT” App or going to NBC.com.
America’s Got Talent 2024 Unveils 44 Acts Advancing to Live Shows
America’s Got Talent 2024 – Which acts perform on Quarterfinals 2 episode?
Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara sit on the judges panel. Terry Crews is host.
This week, Howie Mandel controls the buzzer. Terry mentions that doors that are used to bring large props on stage are broken, so the crew will be building sets and backdrops as the audience watches!
LEGIÓN – Dance
Legion, a fiery dance group from Argentina, are one of Sofia Vergara’s Golden Buzzers. They set themselves apart by dancing with their feet on fire. Family men, they all serve in working class day jobs.
They hit the floor already on fire and with drums slung around their necks. It’s fancy, lit tap dancing. Like a hot, Latin flavored Riverdance. And this week, their hats are also on fire. It doesn’t look particularly dangerous, but it is dramatic.
“What a show,” exclaims Sofia. She appreciates they are so good despite not being professionals. However, Howie doesn’t think they “elevated.” The audience boos. Heidi calls them “mucho caliente.” She wants Sofia to join them on stage if they make the next round. Simon loved the audition, but felt “it wasn’t as good as I thought it was going to be.” More boos from the audience. “I just wanted more,” he said.
Young-Min – Magician
The young magician grew up in Seoul, South Korea. He shares how he discovered magic through a book he found. For years, he has dreamed of appearing on AGT. Simon criticized his audition, and he took it to heart and changed his approach for his next performance.
This time, he’s blindfolded as he creates sandy petals out of thin air. The band around his eyes eventually disappears and turns into more petals. The tricks aren’t out of this world, but how he presents himself is mesmerizing. The act ends with him disappearing off completely off the stage. Really unique. Terry throws to a break before the judges comments!
Heidi loved it. “It was mystical, it was magical. You show magic in such a different way.” Sofia says, “One of my favorite magic acts.” Simon apologizes for not being nice last time. AGT magicians over the years has set his standards high. However, this time, he feels Young-Min presented “a moment.” Howie calls him “mindful and demure” (That phrase is a Tik Tok trend, if you are not aware).
Alex Sampson – Singer
Alex took the risk and sang an original song for his audition. The Canadian impressed the judges with a “Pretty Baby,” a song so retro it would fit perfectly into the Grease soundtrack. Simon loved the vibe.
The young singer sticks to the metro theme. He’s really going for a modern Bobby Rydell deal. This song, however, isn’t as catchy as his audition song. Singing live, he’s pitchy in spots, and he does this weird little giggle near the end that felt like a mistake.
Heidi yells, “YES I WANT TO BE YOUR GIRL!” She calls him a gem. “You are sparkly on that stage.” Sofia calls him a star. She thinks the 50s/60s sound is perfect for him. Simon notes the nerves and the shaky tuning. But he doesn’t mind. He is sticking with the good vibes. “You have so much potential.” Howie agrees that Alex is a star. “You’re a cross between Shawn Mendes and Chris Isaak.”
Bboy Samuka – Dance
The Brazilian lost his leg to cancer at 13 years old after which he discovered breaking, and it changed his life. “I feel free when I dance.”
His old school breaking is set against a backdrop of “No limits, no excuses.” His performance is fast and slick.
Howie calls him amazing and inspirational. “You rose the bar from your original audition.” Heidi thinks he belonged in the recent 2024 Summer Olympics. OH HE WAS AT THE OLYMPICS IN PARIS. He performed, but didn’t compete. Heidi missed it. Sofia calls him an amazing dancer. “Leg or no leg.” OK then. Simon points to the cheering crowd. “You are the best act of the night so far,” he declares.
Brooke Bailey – Singer
Her dad is a cement truck driver. She claims to be “normal” despite growing up in Los Angeles. Also, she recently quit her day job at Planet Fitness. LiV leaving the competition last week shook her.
Dressed in a sparkly purple ball gown, she covers Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own.” Her singing is effortless and strong. She cleanly hits an amazing high note during the chorus. It’s a dramatic and showstopping performance.
Sofia says, “Everything about you tonight is perfect….you picked an unexpected song.” Howie disagrees with Sofia, “I don’t think you hit your mark tonight. I don’t think you rose to the occasion.” He even thinks LiV was better last week. Heidi calls it an “A plus plus performance. Mind blowing.” Simon was bored for the first two thirds of the song. But he connected towards the end. I agree with Heidi and Sofia. That was pretty great.
Sky Elements – Drone Act
Simon hit one of his audition Golden Buzzers for this act, which is so big that it needs to move outside. They plan to make the act even bigger. Obviously, the performance needed to be taped ahead of time. However, the judges watch live from inside the auditorium with the live audience.
Drone shows can’t help but be spectacular. This time, the drones create a replica of Terry, Heidi, Sofia and Howie. Way to suck up to the panel. They couldn’t be more flattered. It ends with a representation of Simon hitting his Golden Buzzer, before it dissolves.
The crew takes the stage. Simon feels the group topped their audition. “This is by far the best.” Heidi calls it exciting. She loved seeing herself in the sky. Sofia doesn’t understand how they can pull it off “impressive,” creative.” She wasn’t so sure about her drone picture, though. Howie agrees.
AIRFOOTWORKS – Acrobatic Act – Howie’s Golden Buzzer
As he rehabilitated from an injury, the Japanese leader of the act discovered the group’s unique style of dance. Former winner, Kenichi, is their mentor.
The group performs acrobatics on what looks like fancy pull up bars. They create shapes and elegant tableaus with their bodies. It takes skill and strength to accomplish. They also incorporate dance and a light show to create a mesmerizing performance.
Simon is on his feet. “I am just about to get myself fired.” HE GOES FOR THE GOLDEN BUZZER. Oops. It was Howie’s turn! He doesn’t seem mad though. He wants to take credit. They were both diving for the buzzer, but Simon got there first. Or Howie maybe (It was Howie).
Biko’s Manna – Singing Group
This kid sibling act from South Africa got a ton of well wishes from celebrities after their lively audition aired. For example, Chaka Khan sent a message.
Sunny personalities. They aim to uplift their audiences with an African flavored cover of “I Can See Clearly Now.” And they do! But the singing is just OK. The little one is a tad cloying.
Simon loves not only loves their music, but their personalities as well. He calls them “authentic.” Howie couldn’t stop smiling. “Everybody in the audience has a smile on their face.” Heidi adds “we have the triple threat here.” Sofia says, “You warm all of our hearts. I want to see you back here again.”
Schumacher – Variety Act
During auditions, Sofia basically hit her Golden Buzzer for a joke act. The duo met in college back in Japan. Needless to say, they were surprised to get the Golden Buzzer for their silly act.
What they do–change in and out of ridiculous animal costumes–probably plays best on social media where they have a large following. Silliness doled out in little absurd bits. It’s not really an act that can be turned into a full blown show. Midway, Simon buzzes them off. Believe it or not, it was even stupider the second time.
Sofia would give them another Golden Buzzer if she could (sunk cost fallacy!). “This is what AGT is all about.” Simon describes it as “funny the first time” but it didn’t evolve into something great. “Anyone could do that.” Heidi thinks it’s so bad it’s good. Howie believes it’s about “friendship” because they always end up with their faces in the other guy’s privates.
Ashlee Montague – Extreme Ballet
Ashlee navigates wine bottles while dancing on point. She promises the bottles aren’t nailed down!
During her audition, she initially played her act off as typical ballet, but then whipped out the crazy tricks. The element of surprise was the act. Now, viewers know what she’s about, and she is breaking out more dangerous stunts involving fire and balancing atop her assistant/husband. She climbs a ladder using bottles, balancing precariously on each one. This could go wrong fast, but it does not. She shushes the crowd before ending at the top of the ladder, balancing on two bottles. She looks relieved when she finishes! Perfect!
Howie thinks what she does is amazing. But he doesn’t think she stepped it up from her audition. The audience boos. Heidi disagrees. “You totally stepped it up.” She didn’t have ladders in her audition! Sofia agrees with Heidi. “It was ambitious, you didn’t play safe.” Simon has respect for her. “There was no safety net. You went for it. You’ve given yourself a shot after this.” She went through 27 pairs of shoes preparing for her act!
Nini – Musician
NiNi plays rock songs on traditional Chinese instruments. She skillfully switches between different instruments, at one point whipping out a bow to play. Her intricate picking is impressive.
Sofia loves her outfit and personality. “Sexy and unexpected.” Simon calls her “interesting and talented.” However, he hated the song and the track. ‘It should have been an anthem.” Heidi calls her stunning and an amazing musician. Howie thinks she takes something we’ve seen before and takes it to another level. He calls her “NiNi Hendrix.”
