America’s Got Talent continues its second week of auditions in San Antonio, Texas. One of the first acts is a man named Travis Pratt. He looks very macho and manly and tells the judges he will be singing. Turns out he sings opera; no one could believe their eyes. The crowd immediately stood up. Howie asked if he had swallowed Jackie Evancho. Referencing to the season five second place young opera singer. Howard called him a freak but in a good way. Travis’ girlfriend had been the one insisting he audition. Howie welcomes her to the stage and thanks her. The couple has been dating for five years and Travis expressed his love by asking her to marry him in front of everyone! She said yes! It was touching and a great start for this episode. He was sent straight to Las Vegas! The next act was a dancing duo, Ruby and Jonas. Ruby was actually part of last year’s act the untouchables. They are both 9 years old. Ruby was very charismatic and their dance routine was phenomenal. They are so talented, had spunk, and were adorable. The precision is remarkable said Howard. The judges said yes to Vegas!
The next dancing duo is actually Ruby’s older brother. D’Angelo and Amanda, the ages of 13 and 14. His little sister had set the bar high, so they had to bring it. They obviously did! Their routine was so flirtatious. Thoroughly entertained said Mel B. This was going to turn out to be a soap opera said Howard. Sibling competing and a little romance between the dancers as well. These two are going to Vegas as well. The next contestants are a mariachi. Howard immediately said he’s not a fan of mariachi and they told him they were there to change his mind. They surprised everyone when they started playing top 40 music. It was different and really good. Howard loved it. Heidi thought it was fun. They judges said “Si!” to Las Vegas!
The acts started to change going towards the magic and illusion route. First up was Brad Myers, he is a sword swallower. He placed 6 swords down his throat touching his esophagus. He even brought an X ray machine so everyone could see the swords touching his insides. I couldn’t bear seeing this act. It gave me the creeps. Mel B kept her eyes closed as well and voted no. Howard and Howie loved it and voted yes. So it was up to Heidi to make the decision. She said she hated danger but that day she liked it and said Yes! Vegas bound Brad Myers. The next up was one of my favorites of the night. Collins Key, and his act is magic. He is 16 years old and magic means so much to him. He brought onstage a bag of unopened popcorn. He then asked Howie for a dollar bill. He gave the dollar bill to Howard and asked to read out loud the serial number that is unique to every dollar bill. Collins then takes back the bill and hands the bag of popcorn to Mel B. He then burns the bill and asks Mel B to open the bag. The bill is inside the bag! He then asks Heidi to repeat the serial number and it’s the same one. How did he do it? Howard praised him and the kid started getting emotional. They all said yes to Vegas!
On the second half of the auditions we head to New Orleans. We meet a 20 year old girl name Megan Piphus and she is a ventriloquist. She has a cat and a girl as her dolls. She starts singing with the dolls, but more awesome than that is that she sings really good and she doesn’t move her mouth. That’s talent says Nick Cannon. Howard said he’s a big fan. Howie calls her stunning and amazingly talented. Four yeses! She’s off to Vegas. This next act is a favorite of the night. Jonathon Allen is an opera singer. He shares his story, when he turned 18 his parents kicked him out because they did not approve that he was gay. So his performance made it even more emotional. He was so good, I got chills while listening. The audience and the judges gave him a standing ovation. Howie told him “Welcome home, we love you and accept you”. Heidi said she was in love with him. They all agreed, to Vegas he goes!
The next act is Alexandria the great and she is a female escape artist . She is 51 years old and has kids, she’s married and was a school teacher. The act takes place in a swimming pool. Her hands and feet are handcuffed and she is tied up with chain as well. She then will throw herself in the swimming pool and try to escape. This seems very dangerous especially since she is older and has a mom look to her. Also a women escape artist is hardly heard of. After what felt as the longest minute ever, she finally comes up after a minute and 36 seconds! Everyone was nervous. Mel said she makes a good show. Howie said Houdini has reincarnated in her. They all said yes! The next act is interesting. His name is JC Starbright. He claims himself to be the next Lady Gaga. He is a singer songwriter. He’s wearing leopard pants and a crop top. He is 59. He starts singing and it’s not good. There had to be one act that was just not a home run.
Another unique act comes along. Andrew ward and he will be telling a scary story. Automatic NO! The next audition is a man named Sam Johnson and his talent is a hand stand. But the talent is where he will be doing this hand stand. On top of an 80 foot sway pole. They all head outside and watch this guy attempt to do so. He has no gear or harness, its just him in this super tall and thin pole. He is crazy but he did it! Howie called him nuts. That’s good theatre, that’s good television said Howard. The judges were intrigued and want to see more and so do I. He is going to Vegas!
The last act of the night was Paul Thomas Mitchell, he is 15 years old and he will perform his own song. He dedicated the song to his father because he turned his life around so Paul could have a better one. Performing an original song is always hard because people have never heard it and can’t relate too much to it. However, Paul’s song is really good and he has a raspy voice that suits it well. Heidi said John Mayer better watch out. Howard says he has high hopes for him in the competition. Mel B said he has touched all of America. Hands down yes, and he is going to Las Vegas.
America's Got Talent airs Tuesday nights at 9pm on NBC