Heading into the third America’s Got Talent live show of Season 21, judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofia Vergara, and Kenan Thompson (subbing for Simon Cowell) were looking for another act from the field of 11 performers to honor with the next Live Golden Buzzer.
At the first quarterfinals on Aug. 18, Howie gave the prize to the magician group Hundred Fingers, and at the second quarterfinals on Aug. 25, Mel B sent rocker Nene Royal through to the finale. Among the Week 3 acts looking to get that distinction are three that received one during their first audition: Acro Canine Crew, Isaac Atkins, and Lai Noelle.
For the 10 acts not selected by a judge during tonight’s Quarterfinals 3, their fate will be left in the hands of America’s vote, with results being announced on Wednesday where only three more will advance.
Taking the stage in Week 3 are the following: Acro Canine Crew (Terry Crews’ Golden Buzzer), comedian Daniel Alvarez, singer Elsie, poet Guy Kelton Jones I, French acrobat Herwan Legaillard, aerial duo Holland & Sienna, singer Isaac Atkins (Mel B’s Golden Buzzer), Canadian magician Kameron Marshall, singer Lai Noelle (Simon’s Golden Buzzer), German contortionist Maria, and musician Pynk Beard.
Pynk Beard in ‘America’s Got Talent’Trae Patton/NBC
Read on for our performance recap of America’s Got Talent Quarterfinals 3, which aired Sept. 1 on NBC.
At the top of the show, Kenan was already in Simon’s seat at judges’ table and for good reason — he was in control of the night’s Live Golden Buzzer. As Simon continues to recover at home, the duty of selecting one act to advance straight to the finals was left to the comedy king. Who did Kenan honor with the golden confetti? Let’s find out.
Holland & Sienna
The aerial duo opened the night with a daring performance from a floor-to-ceiling aerial ribbon to Alex Warren’s ballad “RESCUER.” Afterward Sienna told Terry that the hardest part of their act is holding on because there’s “a lot of force” in what they’re doing that makes it feel like they’re “holding on for [their] lives.”
Judges’ comments: Howie thought it was an amazing performance, but questioned whether it was better than their audition. Sofia differed, calling it “so elegant” and acknowledging how hard it is for them to perform their act. Mel said it was “pure perfection” and Kenan noticed how they support each other as partners.
Isaac Atkins
Having found a “sense of purpose” through his time in the military, Isaac referred to singing as “the dream that [he] never let go of.” For his chance to advance in the competition, he performed the booming track “Way Down We Go” by KALEO.
Judges’ comments: Mel kicked off comments with fanning herself off while telling Isaac that his “voice is a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot.” Howie and Kenan both earned some boos by suggesting that he can “do some more” by showing more of his range, but Sofia brought it back to the positive by calling it “spectacular” and saying that it’s “so impressive” considering he’s only been on a stage of this size twice in his life.
Maria
Terry warned that Maria’s latest act would blow our minds and he wasn’t exaggerating. Set to No Doubt’s “I’m Just a Girl,” the performance included bends and folds that created still images that looked unreal. Some of the highlights included Maria free-rolling underneath tables and crawling mid-bend through rings of fire.
Judges’ comments: Sofia told the audience that even if they’ve seen many contortionists in the past, Maria is able to show things that they’ve never seen. Kenan called it both “painful to watch” and “dynamically gifted,” Howie called her tricks “so unique and so wonderful,” and Mel said that it’s “so extraordinary.”
Elsie
Elsie promised that her version of “House of the Rising Sun” by The Animals would be like one “nobody’s ever heard,” saying that it taps into a “real and raw” version of herself.
Judges’ comments: Once again Howie (“The Grinch” – Sofia’s words) disappointed the audience by giving Elise criticism rather than support. Sofia called her voice “one of the best voices this season,” Kenan referenced the courage it took for her to take the stage, and Mel applauded her for coming out of her shell while asking her to push her talent further than she has so far.
Acro Canine Crew
Daiquiri, Chardonnay, Twinkie and Mango are the four canine members of the acrobatic group that has created one of the most iconic mash-ups in AGT history. For tonight’s showcase, the group took to the beach where supposedly there’s “no dogs allowed,” but that didn’t keep them from “Walkin’ on Sunshine” as lifeguards on all fours.
Judges’ comments: After a standing ovation from the judges and the audience, Sofia called the act one of her favorites because “there was so much chaos happening.” Kenan thought their choreography was perfect for “an amazing concept” and Mel said that they “didn’t miss a thing.”
More to come…