John Hetlinger on “America’s Got Talent”; Trae Patton/NBC(LOS ANGELES) — America’s Got Talent continued on Tuesday night with more singers, comedians and dancers.
Tuesday’s showcase included an 82-year-old heavy metal singer and a hearing-impaired stand-up comedian, both of whom advanced to the next round.
Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B were back behind the judges’ table to offer their opinions and decide which acts would advance. Also back for season 11 was “The Golden Buzzer,” which gives each judge one opportunity to send an act straight to the live shows.
Here’s a rundown of some of Tuesday’s highlights:
Alla and Daniel Novikov, a mother-and-son dance team, drew a standing ovation with their routine to Maroon 5’s “Moves Like Jagger.” They earned four yeses from the judges and move on to the next round. Mel B loved both dancers, but especially Daniel, who, she noted, “commands attention.” Heidi thought Daniel was “adorable.” Simon didn’t believe Daniel was really Alla’s son, but that his mother is actually a scientist who had shrunk her husband.
Musicality is a high school choir from the southwest side of Chicago. They performed One Direction’s “Night Changes.” Howie said of the group, who started out singing in a stairwell, that they “took a couple of steps up.” Mel B declared the performance sent “chills” up her spine. Heidi noted that it was a smart move singing a One D song – since they are managed by Cowell. Simon thought the song choice was “brave” and complimented them on their hard work. All four judges agreed to advance them in the competition.
Edgar is the surname of Nikki, Ryan and Jaslyn, a family musical trio. Nicki is a former Christian singer whose career was derailed when, as a teen, she became pregnant with Jaslyn. Now the whole family performs together. They sang The Pretenders’ “I’ll Stand by You” and drew a standing ovation from the audience. Heidi predicted America would fall in love with them. Howie declared the group gave birth to “a second chance.” Simon was also impressed. They received four yeses from the judges and move on.
The Amazing Sladek, 52, claims he’s the oldest living daredevil. He stacked a bunch of chairs on a table and balances on top of them. Heidi’s only critique was that Sladek’s red jumpsuit was out of the ’70s and “not working.” Mel declared she was on the edge of her seat. Howie called the act a combination of “Americana and death-defying stunts.” Sladek received four yeses and moves on.
D.J. Demers is a hearing-impaired stand-up comic from Canada who riffed on his disability and being gay. Howie said the comedian was his favorite of the season so far, explaining that D.J. was “far beyond his years” in ability and comfort level. Mel B said she got more than a belly laugh. Simon called the funnyman “likeable.” Demers received four yeses and a trip to the next round.
John Hetlinger, 82, is a retired aerospace engineer involved in the repair of the Hubble telescope, and now a singer. He shocked the judges with his rendition of Drowning Pool’s “Let the Bodies Hit the Floor.” The performance “scared” Mel B. Simon, who expected John to sing “Fly Me to the Moon,” called the octogenarian “an animal.” All the judges — except Heidi – voted yes to sending Hetlinger on to the next round.
Grace Vanderwaal, 12, began singing when she was three. She accompanied herself on the ukulele as she sang an original song called “I Don’t Know My Name.” A vote from the judges was unnecessary since Howie, who called her a “living, beautiful miracle,” pressed his “Golden Buzzer,” sending the youngster straight through to the live rounds. Simon predicted Grace would be “the next Taylor Swift.”
America’s Got Talent airs again next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NBC.
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