PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: The choir group Freedom Singers' aim is to provide hope and connect people with the belief that they can accomplish anything.
However, when the choral group appeared on 'America's Got Talent' for the second time on September 12, viewers were disappointed.
Freedom Singers are on a mission to end homelessness
"The big dream for the group is to continue to make music that unites people," one member remarked. "I think some people don't expect excellence coming from Skid Row," another said.
The ensemble, dressed in earth tones of green, brown, black, and white, began slowly, introducing one performer.
They sang 'Another Day in Paradise' by Phil Collins, which addressed topics such as homelessness.
They emphasized single singers' strong vocals in the major verses and included harmonizing as a bigger chorale ensemble throughout the choruses.
Following the performance, all the judges rose from their chairs.
"I liked you during the auditions, and I loved you tonight," Sofia Vergara added, complimenting their whole performance and look.
Simon Cowell called this a "massive" step up and praised vocalist Michaela. "Your message is really important," he continued.
"We walk by these tents, and we walk by these people. It's them, and it's us. We realize you are us," Howie Mandel stated. "I love every one of you," Heidi Klum remarked.
"This is definitely paradise... don't look away. Society is better when everyone is housed. Heart has no address," one artist told the audience.
On X, viewers however didn't hold back their disappointment as they wrote, "Did I listen to a different performance? That felt like a bad middle school choir concert where the teacher asks who wants a solo and one of the bad singers inexplicably raises their hand and now the parents gotta pretend it doesn’t sound like death."
Another user chimed in, "I know I’ve said it before but… The best thing about a choir is when they stop. And they are ruining a perfectly good Phil Collins song."
Others claimed, "I don’t think people want ANOTHER CHOIR in the #AGTFinale."
A user quipped, "@howiemandel saying the Freedom Singers are #heroes is a little far fetched. That’s a very strong word that has obviously lost it’s meaning."
On Reddit, users wrote, "Ah Jesus another choir with a sob story." Another person asked, "Another choir, okay. I want adult magic please."
Some suggested, "If you’re a choir, you have to bring some sort of energy; otherwise you’re just sort of blah no matter how good of singers you are."
Another person added, "I switched over to the Shakira performance on the VMAs for the moment. No interest in America's Got Choirs."
Who are the Freedom Singers on 'AGT' Season 18?
The Freedom Singers are members of the Skid Row neighborhood who represent the musical branch of arts and culture at the Los Angeles Neighborhood Action Network (LA CAN).
The melody and traditional sounds of their motions are given fresh life by a strong ensemble of eight vocalists.
Which choir group got the Golden Buzzer on 'AGT'?
Mzansi Youth Choir got the first-ever group golden buzzer in May after performing 'It's Ok' by Nightbirde.
It was regarded as "the perfect audition" by Judge Simon. The choir stated that they chose the song to pay honor to the late vocalist for her creation.
When will 'AGT' Season 18 Qualifiers 5 air?
New episodes of 'AGT' Season 18 air on NBC every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8/7c.
The fifth week of 'AGT' live performances for Season 18 will run on Tuesday, September 19 (performance show) and Wednesday, September 20 (results show), with 11 of the 55 overall acts performing in front of judges Simon, Howie, Heidi, and Sofia, as well as presenter Terry Crews.
