PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: Chioma & The Atlanta Drum Academy kicked off the second round of 'America's Got Talent' qualifiers, which aired on August 29.
Terry Crews' Golden Buzzer of the Season, on the other hand, failed to create an impression the second time around, as viewers complained about the wrong act being given another chance to perform.
Chioma & The Atlanta Drum Academy took the stage to make Terry proud for selecting them as his Golden Buzzer act. Chioma was well aware of Simon Cowell's last-week suggestion that each performer should improve from their original audition.
They executed it this week with "unbelievable" intensity, according to Simon, and it was "brilliantly messy" because they had a wonderful idea and bright people.
Howie Mandel thought they were "Golden Buzzer worthy," Heidi Klum said they "utilized the space" well, and Sofia Vergara thought they delivered the "perfect energy to open the show."
Fans took to X, to call out the judges as well as the show, "has gone down hill and Howie with it. A chaotic nonsensical African drum act that is horrible… he loves it. The Sharpe family? A big fat X. Howie sucks."
One user further complained, "This felt all over the place and wasn't really well executed, disappointed in Atlanta Drum Academy."
Others argued, "If Atlanta Drum Academy goes through it’s because they are Terry’s golden buzzer and this show is rigged."
A fourth user also noted, "Watching #AGT and chioma and the Atlanta drum academy gets a 2/10. Tbh I don’t even know why they got the golden buzzer in the first place."
On Reddit, fans wrote, "That just didn't sound as crisp and clean as a drum line should." Some also complained, "I feel like drum lines shouldn't have backing tracks with a beat."
Some noted, "These drum acts are kind of like choirs on this show. They're just not interesting."
One furious fan asked, "Can anyone else barely hear the drums?"
Who owns 'AGT' Golden Buzzer act Atlanta Drum Academy?
James Riles III founded the Atlanta Drum Academy as a non-profit organization in 2011.
Its goal is to provide a secure environment for children while also inspiring and educating them via drumming. The Academy teaches more than just how to drum; it also teaches drumstick twirls and other entertaining and sophisticated skills.
Who was Terry Crews' Golden Buzzer on 'AGT' 2023?
Terry hit the Golden Buzzer for Chioma and The Atlanta Drum Academy in 'AGT' Season 18.
Chioma, an 8-year-old kid, performed solo with a drum and was later joined by other youngsters with drums. Terry made their dream a reality.
Chioma, 8, arrived with the Atlanta Drum Academy of Atlanta, Georgia, a drum-toting child band dressed in vivid and flamboyant colors.
What began as a basic drumming performance quickly became anything but, complete with synchronized marching and stepping.
The trio used well-timed chants before twisting and throwing drums into the air, complemented with audio samples from Usher's 'O.M.G.' featuring will.i.am and Tag Team's 1993 smash hit 'Whoomp! (There it is).'
Some of the kids even pulled their headbands over their eyes before launching themselves into the drums and blindly hurling and catching their drumsticks.
Audiences and judges alike joined in on the group's routine, which brought everyone to their feet.
When will 'AGT' Season 18 Qualifier 3 air?
Eleven artists take the stage live from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on September 5, with the audience voting for their favorite performance to advance to the final round.
'America's Got Talent' Season 18 now airs both Tuesdays and Wednesdays on NBC at 8 pm ET
