America’s Got Talent 2024 Recap: AGT continues LIVE with Quarterfinals part 4
The final 11 acts take the stage on week 4 of the Quarterfinals. 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.
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America’s Got Talent 2024 – Which acts perform on Quarterfinals 4 episode?
Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara sit on the judges panel. Terry Crews is host.
Simon Cowell will award this week’s FINAL LIVE Golden Buzzer.
Brent Street – Dance Group
Howie Mandel chose this 31 person Australian dance troupe as one of his audition Golden Buzzers
The routine tonight features the dancers dresses in edgy outfits dancing against a black and gold backdrop. The routine is creatively choreographed and performed with precision. A set of moving tables are used as props. It’s probably NOT going to send them to the semi-finals, however.
Howie gushes, calling them amazing. He begs Simon to hit his buzzer. Of course, he’s not giving it up too soon. Heidi remarks,”You really think outside of the box…many wild moments.” She claims she’d push the Golden Buzzer. Sofia felt “a little bit of danger” she adds, “So in sync, good job.” The audience is screaming. But Simon didn’t like the first half of the routine. “Too artsy, a little bit slow.” The audience boos. But Simon ends his critique on a positive note, “You are very smart, very creative.”
Illya and Anastasia – Acrobatic Act
The duo, from Ukraine, perform on the Las Vegas streets. Illya’s father was an acrobat. He promises tonight’s act is the most dangerous he’s ever performed.
Anastasia serves as Illya’s assistant, handing him props. He starts off with a stack of shakey platforms steadied by glassware. He head balances using a bowling ball. From there he builds even more platforms, balancing his head on a glass bottle with an impossibly narrow neck. Next, after pouring champagne out of a bottle, he balances on top of it using only his finger! His control and strength are incredible.
Heidi says, “You really deserve this champagne toast!” Sofia says, “I know how much this means to you. This can change your life. Your talent is very unique and difficult.” Simon however, doesn’t thinks it’s a Vegas act. He call it “too small.” He’s disappointed. Howie cracks “Simon means size matters.” He disagrees. He thought it was better than their audition. I agree with the rest. Illya’s got skillz!
Oscar Stembridge – Singer
Oscar, from Sweden, auditioned with an original song, and will sing another tonight. It took him a bit to pick the perfect song. He was stuck choosing between two.
The song he picked is a slow ballad. Probably smart. Simon criticized a duo last week after they performed an upbeat song. He accompanies himself on electric guitar. He’s flat, though on the verses. The chorus, however, is suitably emotional. He’s cute and earnest. Singing in key is probably not that important. Autotune to the rescue!
Simon is smiling! Sofia says, “I think you are already a superstar. You’re so handsome!” She didn’t love the song, though. Howie says, “I think you are a star.” But he also believes he picked the wrong song. He doesn’t think it will be memorable. The audience boos. Heidi wishes he would “go for it more.” Simon mentions that he’s 16 years old, and is a “little diamond.” He doesn’t think the song matters. “I would love to work with you.” I’m not surprised at Simon’s reaction. He loves young, moldable talent that’s personality-heavy.
Jonathan Burns – Magician
Jonathan’s goal is to perform in a Vegas residency, rather than travellings, so he can keep his family with him.
He combines magic and comedy. This time, Terry assists him with a bit that involves a couch and a straight jacket. Terry closes Jonathan up in the sleeper part of the sofa. It’s an escape act! He jokingly discovers a TV remote and change. But he runs out of time before he can escape “safely” asking Terry to let him out. He opens the couch and Jonathan is gone! Where is Jonathan? He pops out of the chair. Too bad, Simon already buzzed.
Howie thinks he’s in a lane of his own and chastises Simon for buzzing too early. Simon claims he guessed what was going to happen. “It wasn’t good enough.” The audience boos. Heidi WAS surprised “I think you’re cute.” Sofia liked it. “It was entertaining.” He’s quirky and interesting. Simon was too hard on him.
L6 – Singing Group
The sibling group from Philippines live together. After their audition, their family home was flooded, and they lost costumes among other things.
Simon had stopped their audition and asked them to sing a’cappella. This time, they start without a track, but it eventually kicks in. Their harmonies are on point, while the lead singers can hit the big notes. They are a little loungy, though. They could use some edge.
Howie can’t figure out what lane they are in. He calls it “corny.” He’s correct. Heidi compared them to Broadway singers. She wished they had stuck to a’cappella singing. Sofia calls their voices “spectacular.” But she is also not sure where the act belongs. However, Simon thinks the audience will really like them, despite being corny. “I really like you…you’ve got a shot of making it through.”
TONIKAKU – Variety Act
This week’s joke act involves pants, and the lack thereof. He conducts the video package interview seemingly naked, covering his naughty parts.
Tonikaku enters the stage hoisting a giant million dollar check. He rips off his athletic wear, down to his bitty underwear. He’s similar to so many acts from Asia that do this schtick that works with Asian stereotypes. He rolls around on stage in his underwear. It’s pointless. Why hasn’t Simon buzzed yet? His big catch phrase is “Don’t worry I’m wearing pants.”
Heidi thinks there is a limit to the madness. But maybe it wasn’t mad enough. Sofia calls him “super fun.” He’s one of Simon’s favorite ever acts (He appeared on BGT). “You’re really silly and funny. I hope America votes for you.” Howie agrees. “You have the ability to make so much out of so little.”
Simon declares that he is disappointed with the acts so far.
Stephanie Rainey – Singer
Stephanie works at a radio station back in Ireland. Her partner is taking care of their child while she competes. She’s perfuming another original, “Woman” which she wrote while her mother battled cancer.
She’s not playing guitar this time. The new song is another emotional ballad. Her vocal style is a little reminiscent of Sinead O’Connor, but not as stylized. However, I don’t love this song–although it’s heartfelt, it’s cliched.
Sofia loves that she performs with her soul. “Your songs feel so personal.” Howie calls her a great singer. But he didn’t like the song as much as her audition. He’s correct. “It’s important to ramp up.” Heidi calls her “powerful.” But she sensed her nerves. Simon didn’t like the song either, and he also hated the production. But, he fells that the performance is good enough to get her to the next round. If she makes it, he suggests that the repeats her audition song.
Sebastián & Sonia – Aerial Act – Simon’s Golden Buzzer.
Uh oh. This Spanish duo had an accident during rehearsals. Sonia fell and fractured her elbow. She won’t be able to perform AT ALL! Sebastian will go on stage as a solo.
What a blow. The act is a romantic couples act. While Sebastian is skilled, the act loses impact as a solo. Compared to their audition, it’s just another aerial act. It’s a dangerous business and stuff happens. Nothing else to do but carry on. Sonia, with her arm in a sling, watches offstage with Terry.
The judges get up on their feet as Sonia joins him on stage. Simon says, “A lot of people would have given up,” he observes, calling it “incredible.” He adds, “This was by far the best reaction we’ve had so far.” Wow. SImon gives them his Buzzer. I’m surprised. The final is in two weeks. Will Sonia be able to perform by then? Simon on stage, says she will be.
Erica Rhodes – Comedian
Erica, from Boston, is a touring comedian. While her sister has a family, she works on her career.
Is that your real voice? “No…I got a voice lift.” After that, she riffs on her age. She’s been knocking around the comedy business for a few years. She says anyone under 79 doesn’t want to be called “lady.” (What I hated, was being called ‘ma’am’ the first time. I felt old!) Next, she delivers “friend zone” jokes. She’s mildly amusing.
Howie is on his feet. “I loved this,” he says. He wants comedy to win for the first time, and he thinks she can take it all the way. “I love you.” Heidi compliments her storytelling ability. Sofia calls her funny and relatable. “I think you should be on a sitcom.” However, Simon didn’t love it. “I didn’t laugh.” Oh noes. He thinks SNL would be a good fit. It’s happened before! Melissa Villaseñor, an AGT contestant, went on to join the SNL cast. Erica quips that Simon didn’t like it “because there’s so much lady material.” Simon reacts, “That was funny.”
Solange Kardinaly – Quick Change Act
She’s the viral act of the season–her audition received 400 million views. Actually, I thought Simon would choose this Portuguese quick change/magic act as his Golden Buzzer.
Her deft quick change is clever and fast paced. How did she switch outfits with that photo? Amazing. She deserved the Golden buzzer. She does a bit with poker chips before flying in the air. Her outfit changes, amid a flurry of feather confetti, while her hands were engaged!
Heidi calls her one of the best quick change artists the show has had. She hopes America votes. Sofia calls it “fascinating.” Simon says, “The numbers don’t lie.” Simon believes it’s a Vegas act. He calls it the best act, along with his golden buzzer. Howie predicts she’ll get voted through and ultimately nab a spot on the strip.
Pranysqa Mishra – Singer
The 10 year old singer was one of Heidi’s audition Golden Buzzers. Her grandma is her biggest fan. Heidi helped her choose an outfit.
The young singer promised a difficult song. She picked “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus. It’s a little big for her. She’s pitchy in spots and warbly on her runs. But she manages to mostly hit the big notes. She’s still too young to understand that singing big notes isn’t everything. She’s got potential though.
The judges are on their feet. “Save the best for last!” Heidi gushes. “You can hold your own.” Simon thinks she sounded amazing. “You’re potentially really really good.” Sofia calls her performance “breathtaking.” She begs people to vote. Howie says, “You’re a baby. but you have the talent of singers older than you…you could win this thing…”
