The 11th season of America’s Got Talent brought Simon Cowell to the panel of judges, complete with balloons, a welcome banner and a face cake presented by fellow judges Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B. like previous seasons, talent from various venues take the stage, performing their unique acts in front of the judge’s panel and a live studio audience. However, in order to make it to the live stage and earn the chance at $1 million and a show in Las Vegas, America’s Got Talent hopefuls must first go through the audition process. To move on to the next round, performers must earn at least three yeses from the panel. Here are some highlights from the May 31 episode.
Nathan, a 6-year-old, was up first. To the audience’s surprise, he introduced himself as a comedian. Charming right off the bat and having written his own material, Nathan quickly had the judges and audiences laughing in their seats. Impressed that somebody so young could develop their own act, the judges unanimously sent him to the next round.
Next up was a rather eccentric routine, by 58-year-old dancer Jose and his dog, Carrie. Tentative at first, the judges were pleasantly surprised when the music started playing and Carrie immediately and enthusiastically joined her owner in the routine. Though Klum voted no to the pair, the rest of the judges sent them through.
The Clairvoyants, 28 and 29, followed Jose and his dog. Claiming to possess a deep mental connection with each other, the two put on an act where the man held various objects obtained from the judges and the audience while the woman, blindfolded, guessed what they were. Not only did the woman successfully name each object, she was able to give specific details about each one, shocking and mesmerizing everyone in the room. Astoundingly floored, the judges unanimously sent the two to the next round.
The vocal group Linkin’ Bridge shocked the judges when they, after their introduction, broke out in an a capella rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Deeply touched by the judges’ positive comments, things took an emotional turn when the group was sent through with four yeses.
Next, a group of drag queens known as The Spice Gurlz, surprised the panel with their routine after leading the audience to believe that they were a boy band. During their performance, however, Mandel and Cowell both rang their buzzers. Receiving only two yeses, The Spice Gurlz did not make it through.
In a performance best described as enchanting, the next contestant, Hara, dazzled the judges with a magic routine infused with stage animation. Simply amazed, Hara was unanimously sent through to the next round.
Rose and Charlie, a gaudy song and dance act, were the next to take the stage. A disappointing routine, Klum rang her buzzer during the performance. The rest of the judges appeared entertained, however, with Mandel and Cowell repeatedly asking to start the track again. Despite admitting that the act was horrific, three of four judges sent the pair through.
Shortly following Rose and Charlie was another unusual act, by a man with duct tape over his mouth. Remaining a mystery to the audience, the man, referred to as Tape Face, refused to speak. However, the routine ended up being a comedy, with Tape Face pulling out two oven mitts, which began to sing to each other despite his protests. Next, he began to slow dance with a frighteningly convincing figure of another person, using a coat and his own arms. Amused by the unique and entertaining nature of his performance, the judges sent Tape Face through to the next round.
Ryan and Amber, a couple-turned magic routine, performed next. To start, Ryan began his routine by sticking a pair of real scissors up his nose, successfully opening and closing them. Having received the audience’s attention, he then placed a hook up into his nose and through his mouth. Things only got more grotesque as he tied the hook to a string and began swinging around on stage. Horrified, Klum rang her buzzer. However, despite the horrific nature of the act, the judges voted yes to the talented pair.
A 13-year-old vocalist Laura followed a series of other vocal routines. Unlike her predecessors, however, Laura stunned the audience with a mature soprano routine, receiving a standing ovation. Inspired by her talent, Mel B hit her gold buzzer, immediately sending Laura through to the live show.
Greg, a self-professed thrill seeker, closed out the night. Appearing nervous, he jumped into a kiddie pool filled with foam. Realizing the entire act was a farce, each of the judges rang their buzzer. The situation derailed quickly, with each of the judges jumping into the kiddie pool, save Mandel. The episode ended as the remaining judges chased Mandel down and covered him in foam.