America’s Got Talent 2024 Recap: AGT continues LIVE with Quarterfinals part 3
The Top 44 has been revealed! Eleven more acts took the stage live last week, and now the competition continues on to week 3 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.
Heidi Klum will award this week’s LIVE Golden Buzzer.
Menudo – Singing Group
During their audition, Howie wasn’t a big fan of the bland, re-formed Menudo. The group, which changed constantly over the years as singers aged out of the group, was big in the 80s and 90s among Latino tweens.
The group’s clothes are colorful, even though these songs and vocals are not. Still, there is probably still an audience for this cheesy outfit after all these years. The little one is cute, but sings off key. But great singing is usually not the point with vocal groups aimed at kids.
Howie is still not impressed. “Good news, I don’t get to vote. It felt like…a Saturday morning kids show on Telemundo.” Heidi thinks they “brought the party to AGT.” Sofia calls them the perfect way to open the show. She notes the weak vocals, however. Simon asks them how they thought it went. They insist that they chose the song “and did everything that you asked.” And he leaves it at that. Uh oh.
Sam Huang – Magician
Sam, from Tapai, Taiwan, performs “a lot of street magic,” including close up magic involving his own digits. Here, he shares the he deals with Tourette syndrome, which is exacerbated by stress.
He performs a trick at the judges table with Simon before taking the stage. Again, he makes his fingers appear, disappear, switch places. It’s weird to watch, but unique. His trick is obviously sleight of hand using very bendable fingers. The crowd EWWWS and ahhhs. The routine, however, was on the short side.
Heidi jokes “You might be the first person to put a ring on Simon’s finger!” Weirdly, she states out loud that she won’t be choosing him as her golden buzzer. Sofia notes his audition went viral and wants to see more. Simon calls him different and that he gave himself a shot to advance. He hated the background music, though. Howie calls him his fav close-up musician ever. He wonders “Can he only do that with his fingers?” Oh, Howie.
The Reklaws – Band
The brother/sister country act are from Canada and already have a decent career going there. The gal was working at Starbucks when their first song came on the radio. They remind the audition that their emotional audition song was about their mother, who “lost her life to mental health.”
This time, the duo will sing an original fun party song, “Long Live the Night.” This time, the performance is rousing, featuring a chorus with sing-along potential. Will the judges like them apart from an emotional performance?
Sofia loves that they are singing another original, a “catchy song.” Howie loves them and knows their work. And of course he loved the last song better. Expected that. Heidi thinks they are doing fantastic. Simon says they are talented. But, he didn’t like the song. “It’s not the song that’s going to end the concert.” Yup. Had a feeling Simon and Howie would diss the song switch up from emotional to upbeat.
Sabrina – Dance Group
The group from Japan declare in their video package that they are BEST FRIENDS and LOVE TO SHOP.
The group features precision dancing that show off stunning visuals. Like last time, they use their skirts as as props. More dancers enter the stage waving silver flags. The choreography is reminiscent of a Paso Doble. They bring the drama.
The audience loves them. Sofia says their hard works is evident. Simon calls it “the biggest” audience reaction so far. He compares the group to The Mayyas, winners from a few seasons back, “but not as good.” He likes them, but feels they need more work. They audience boos. “This is the year of dance,” says Howie, “You deserve to be here.” Heidi thinks they are a combe of Mayyas and Avantgarde. She believes America will vote them through.
Kelsey Jane – Aerial Act
She’s a working dentist who went right back to her day job after her audition. A patient recognized her! The Greatest Showman movie inspired her to learn aerial arts.
She starts high in the air, working silks. She comes down and then back up again. The routine is ethereal and graceful. She spins round and round and round, before wrapping both feet and soaring through the air. It’s not dangerous, specifically, but beautifully choreographed.
Heidi is on her feet. The crowd is LOUD. She is fascinated and calls her. “mind blowing.” Howie notes they see a lot of aerial acts…and unless it’s spectacular, it “bores” him. He wanted a theme, or something more. Sofia didn’t love the song, but it felt “dangerous” to her. Simon mentions that dentists are “loaded” and he wonders why she bothers to perform. “It’s fun,” she says. And he leaves it at that!
Journeyy – Singer
Journeyy and fellow kid singer Reid Wilson knock on Simon’s trailer door. He lets them in for a little chat, where he gives them advice. Mostly: Leave your comfort zone, pick a great song. Inspired, Journeyy will add even more high notes.
The young singer performs a ballady cover of Bob Marley’s reggae classic “Every Little Thing is Going to Be Alright” at the piano. He’s so young, his voice still needs work, particularly when it comes to pitch. But he’s obviously creative and will get better with age.
“That’s a moment,” Simon declares. “You’re such a sweet kid with such potential.” He hopes the audience gets behind him. Heidi calls him gutsy. Sofia describes the performance as the best thing tonight and “flawless.” Howie calls him a superstar, “exciting” and asks America to push him through.
Learnmore Jonasi – Comedian
Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer, Learnmore is originally from Zimbabwe, but lives in Pittsburgh now. He explains that his grandfather inspired him to be a comedian. Since his audition, he talked to fellow AGT comedians Preacher Lawson and Mike Winfield and has been performing all over the country.
He excitedly shares that he got his green card. Now he has a gluten allergy. He jokes that they made him choose between the allergy, and anxiety. It’s a setup for jokes about how poor people in Zimbabwe don’t have the luxury for ailments. Also, he jokes about how food in America is “too complicated.” Back home, people have to catch animals first before eating them! He giggles all the way through his act.
Sofia calls him a “funny person…joyful and relatable.” Simon believes he is one of the best acts this year. He calls him relatable. “You’re a naturally funny person, unique.” Howie agrees. “You are so likeable.” He’s impressed that he can be universal enough to come from another culture and make people laugh.
Dee Dee Simon – Singer – Heidi’s LIVE Golden Buzzer
She had a record deal years ago (not ever mentioned in her packages). But she has worked as a nurse in a prison for 19 years.
Dee Dee covers big old fashioned diva songs. But this time, she does sing a contemporary tune, “I Lose Control” by Teddy Swims. She has a spectacular instrument that’s rangy and strong. When she hits high notes, she never reaches for them. And she refrains from TOO MANY runs. She’s so passionate, at one point, she kicks her shoes off!
Howie takes his shoes off, “You knocked my shoes off.” He mentions that Jelly Roll will be commenting later tonight. Howie is a tad confused about which artist she covered (Teddy Swims). Simon says that Dee Dee didn’t hold anything back. “You just went for it, he says, “I think you’ve given yourself a shot.” Sofia loved this performance even more than her audition. Heidi loves her range and tone. Oh…Heidi is winding it up! She hits her Golden Buzzer. Not sure I’d give that to Dee Dee? She’s the kind of singer — older, old fashioned — who doesn’t win the show. But she’ll deliver a memorable performance in the final, where she is heading to, skipping the semi-finals.
Maya Neelakantan – Musician
Eleven year old Maya from India picked up the guitar at 7. Once she heard heavy metal music, she wanted to play it. After her audition, she met members of Slayer and Testament. She’ll perform a Metallica song, which she got a special clearance to perform.
A tall kiddo, Maya seems so much older than 11! But it’s her skill that’s mature. She covers the song, sounding like she’s playing sitar at times. The traditional Indian music touches are cool. What kind of player will she be in 10 years? Incredible, probably.
Howie calls her Van Halen reincarnated. He loved the Indian flavor. Heidi calls her “amazing.” Sofia still can’t believe she plays like that. Simon says, “It’s just wild.” He thanks Metallica for giving her the song. He notes her “God given talent” and calls the performance a “real step up…brilliant.”
Reid Wilson – Singer
Howie hit his Golden Buzzer for Reid after his audition. In another clip from Simon’s chat with Reid and Journeyy, he advises them to make any cover they choose to sing their own. Fun fact: Reid’s brother competed on The Voice a few seasons ago.
Reid’s trembly, high voice has the tendency to lose pitch, but his blue-eyed soul sound and phrasing are unique and set him apart from other singers. He stands out covering Ariana Grande’s “Almost is Never Enough.”
Howie brags that he picked the 15 year old as his buzzer. “You are so close to getting a dog.” Which he’ll buy if he wins the million dollar prize. Sofia compares his look to David Bowie. Really? Simon believes singing will be his career. “You have to do what you just did tonight.” TikTok is OK, says Simon, but Reid needs to sing live. Heidi remarks that the young singer can hold his own on the stage.
Jelly Boy the Clown – Sideshow Act
His real name is Eric Broomfield. In his video package, we watch him transform into the clown. Earlier in his career, he wanted to be a rock singer, but sideshow took over his life. He has a supportive family– a wife and young child.
Jelly Boy is a “clown” but actually, he performs icky sword swallowing and more. I hate this type of act! An Adam Lambert‘s Bonnie Tyler cover, “Holding Out for a Hero,” plays in the background while clowny eats a peanut butter sammich and then pulls part of it out of his esophagus using a plunging sword. GROSS. HATE.
Simon loved it. “That deserves standing applause.” He digs the gross stuff. Sofia is properly yucked out. “I’ve never seen anything more horrific…and exciting.” Heidi says, “You still startle me.” She wants to see more. Howie continues with the racy jokes, saying that Heidi jumped in his lap. “I’ve had more fun tonight.”
