PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: Unveiling its much-anticipated 18th season, 'America's Got Talent' commenced with a captivating two-hour premiere on May 30, setting the stage ablaze. This time, the judges' dais remains unchanged, with the visionary executive producer Simon Cowell and the seasoned judge Howie Mandel positioned at the ends of the table. The charismatic presence of Heidi Klum makes a triumphant return, while Sofia Vergara rejoins the panel after a brief hiatus during the airing of 'All-Stars' earlier this year. Leading the proceedings with boundless energy, Terry Crews reassumes his role as the vivacious host.
During the audition phase of 'AGT,' the fate of each act hangs in the balance, as they strive to earn at least three "yes" votes from the esteemed panel of judges to progress to the next round. However, if two or more judges decide to buzz the act, their journey abruptly ends. Each judge, alongside Terry, holds the power to unleash the coveted Golden Buzzer, a single opportunity to catapult an act directly into the live performances, bypassing all other hurdles. The stakes are high, and the quest for talent intensifies as the season unfurls its thrilling chapters.
When will 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 Episode 2 release?
'America's Got Talent' Season 18 Episode 2 will air on June 6, 2023 at 8 p.m. ET.
How to watch 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 Episode 2?
Airing on NBC, 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 Episode 2 is available to watch for anyone with a traditional TV subscription pay. A number of live TV streaming services also carry NBC, so you can tune in with a subscription to FuboTV, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. You can stream the show on Peacock as well.
What to expect from 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 Episode 2?
In a captivating display of talent, auditions abound with a diverse array of acts, showcasing contestants of all ages vying for the ultimate prize of $1 million. The stage becomes a canvas for dreams as performers take center stage, each hoping to leave a lasting impression. Amidst the exhilarating auditions, the golden buzzer emerges as a beacon of hope, granting one fortunate act the extraordinary opportunity to bypass the challenges and proceed directly to the thrilling live shows. There, they will face the ultimate test: competing for America's vote, their fate resting in the hands of an entire nation.
What happened on 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 Episode 1?
Season 18 commenced with a surprising twist as Sofia initially leaned towards a "no" for an act donning an inflatable dinosaur costume. However, Trex Flips managed to captivate her with a comical showcase of trick jumps, igniting laughter from both the audience and Sofia herself. Heidi marveled at the remarkable skill of always landing on his feet despite the cumbersome outfit, while Simon hailed Trex Flips as the finest dancing dinosaur ever seen on the show. Howie recognized the act's secret weapon: the element of surprise. The biggest surprise, however, came when all four judges voted "yes" to witness Trex Flips again. Even Simon, initially hesitant, summed up the audience's overwhelming support as 7,000 other resounding "yeses."
Inspired by an episode of 'Sesame Street,' violinist Philip Bowen took the stage next, captivating the judges with his uptempo and contemporary performance. Simon praised Philip's talent and charisma, labeling it a "great audition." Sofia, moved to tears, recognized the significance of the moment for him. Howie initiated the voting with a resounding "yes," followed by unanimous agreement from the panel, propelling Philip forward in the competition with a total of four yes votes.
Steel Panther, a band with a legendary 40-year history, made a triumphant comeback on the stage. The audience erupted in a standing ovation as the band offered Heidi and Sofia lifetime backstage passes and concert tickets. However, their promise was unnecessary as all the judges were already on their feet at the end of the electrifying performance. Howie expressed the need for their music to make a comeback, Heidi confessed her absolute adoration, Sofia revealed her prior encounter with the band at her husband's birthday, and Simon commended their fearless authenticity. Concluding with high praise, Simon hailed their audition as "brilliant," and with unanimous enthusiasm, all four judges granted them a resounding "yes," propelling Steel Panther to the next round.
After Steel Panther's electrifying act, the judges swiftly buzzed out pole dancer Allan Reinikka and comedic act Nancy LaFancy, citing lack of excitement and being a bit boring, respectively. Ukrainian acrobatic trio Three G took the stage next, facing a stumble in their initial formation but impressing the judges with their determination and daring balancing tricks. Despite the setbacks, the judges commended their resilience and admired their spectacular moments. Simon praised their authenticity, acknowledging that they revealed their true selves through their performance. With unanimous "yes" votes, Howie, Heidi, Sofia, and Simon affirmed their belief that Three G deserved a place on the stage, looking beyond the falters and recognizing their unwavering spirit.
Combining his tech background with his passion for magic, Trigg Watson crafted a mesmerizing act inspired by past magic performances on the show. His presentation featured a social media feed displayed on a screen, where he seamlessly interacted by manipulating objects within it. The visuals even extended beyond the screen, adding an immersive dimension to his act. Howie, awestruck, described it as the most incredible thing he had ever witnessed, believing Trigg had the potential to win the season. Sofia praised the act for its uniqueness, while Heidi couldn't contain her repeated exclamations of "wow." Although Simon initially found it slightly bothersome, he admitted that the act evolved into something remarkable, earning his adoration. The judges unanimously voted with resounding "yeses," propelling Trigg forward in the competition.
Kozo's performance took an unexpected turn as he playfully evaded Howie's questions through an interpreter, leaving the audience in laughter. However, his comedic routine received mixed reactions, with Simon, Heidi, and Sofia pressing their red buzzers before the climax, where Kozo skillfully landed a remote control helicopter on his upturned rear side. Despite their X buttons, Sofia deemed it "creative," while Simon couldn't believe Kozo flew all the way from Japan for such an act. Howie, on the other hand, found it "original" and "interesting," but his lone vote in favor couldn't outweigh the other three judges who maintained their resolute "no" votes.
11-year-old aspiring Broadway singer D'Corey Johnson stole the spotlight with his theatrical rendition of'Open Arms.' After initially singing with a backing track, Simon Cowell requested him to perform it once again a cappella, granting the young talent a second chance to leave the audience spellbound with his vocals. Sofia Vergara praised his performance as "amazing" and envisioned a place for him on Broadway. Howie Mandel acknowledged the power of simplicity when D'Corey sang without the track, while Heidi Klum agreed that the music had hindered his voice. Simon emphasized the importance of D'Corey's career direction and assured him of the incredible things that lie ahead. The unanimous decision of all four judges resulted in a resounding "yes," propelling D'Corey to the next round of the competition.
Stepping into the spotlight next was Shadow Ace, a talented shadow box artist hailing from the Philippines, driven by the noble ambition to "revive a lost art." He shared how, in his community, they relied on candlelight and a wall to craft their own entertainment. Sofia Vergara marveled at the authenticity of his performance, deeming it a "real show" that was truly "spectacular." Simon Cowell, finding it far from dull, anticipated that children would adore it for its "original and silly" nature. Heidi Klum appreciated the emphasis on pure enjoyment rather than delving into deeper meanings often associated with shadow acts. Howie Mandel commended the choice of music and predicted that audiences would clamor for more. As the judges offered their unanimous approval, it was a resounding "yes" from Simon, followed by Howie, sealing Shadow Ace's passage to the next phase of the competition.
Stand-up comedian Orlando Leyba found solace in Terry's motivational talks, conquering his nerves before his performance. Gifted an improv class by his wife, Orlando seamlessly transitioned into stand-up comedy. His set, primarily centered around his reactions to the show 'Yellowstone,' captivated the audience. Simon commended Orlando for his natural humor, as he skillfully made the audience believe every story was real (despite Orlando insisting they were true). Sofia praised Orlando's wife for kickstarting his career, while Howie acknowledged the culmination of his 13-year journey, and Heidi expressed her adoration for every aspect of his performance. The judges unanimously voted with a resounding "yes," propelling Orlando to the next round, leaving no doubt in their minds.
The Mzansi Youth Choir, hailing from South Africa, delivered a powerful and emotional performance on AGT. They surprised the judges by singing 'It's OK,' a song written by the late former contestant Nightbirde. The judges were deeply moved, with Heidi expressing the song's significance to the AGT community. Sofia praised it as the perfect audition, while Howie marveled at the impact of Nightbirde's story reaching people across the globe. The choir explained that the song became a symbol of strength for them and their tribute to Nightbirde's legacy. Simon, holding back tears, shared how the performance stirred memories and acknowledged its importance to Nightbirde. In an unprecedented moment, the judges faced the audience, who chanted for the Golden Buzzer. Simon, joined by Terry, announced that they wanted to give the audience something special. Pointing to the choir and the audience, Simon declared, "This is for you. This is for you. This is for Jane," as golden confetti rained down on the Mzansi Youth Choir, marking a heartfelt and unforgettable moment.
