By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
Four months ago, America’s Got Talent (AGT) began Season 14. There were new faces at the Judges Desk (Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough) and Howie Mandel celebrated his tenth anniversary on the panel. Nine Golden Buzzer acts, six guest judges, and countless surprising eliminations (We wish you were still here, Carmen Carter, Eric Chien, Greg Morton, Jackie Fabulous, and Messoudi Brothers) later, we have arrived at the Season 14 finale.
10 acts competed for the opportunity to headline a Las Vegas show and win the $1,000,000 grand prize. Which acts were one step closer to win the prize? Did anyone receive an “X” from the judges? Read on to find out!
After Terry’s flashy entrance and montage, it was time to get down to business. Dwyane Wade’s Golden Buzzer act, Indian dance troupe V.Unbeatable took the stage. Since they stepped foot onto the Pasadena Civic Center stage all those months ago, I declared them the potential winners of AGT: Season 14. They delivered a fabulous routine that was worthy of not only of the $1,000,000 prize but a solo show in Vegas! A+
Terry Crews’ Golden Buzzer act, Detroit Youth Choir, made it to the AGT: Season 14 finals. While I admire the group’s determination and spirit, I believe that they should not have advanced to the finale. Tonight, they revisited the audition that made them viral sensations. They were firm but it felt too much high school pep rally than Las Vegas show. D+
Jay Leno’s Golden Buzzer act, 10-year-old opera singer Emanne Beasha, took the stage. While she has a pure voice, I do not see her performing 90-minute shows every week. Plus, Jackie Evancho and Laura Bretan were there before her, and they lost respectively. Also, I felt disconnected from her performance. D+
Comedian Ryan Niemiller is the last comic standing! I believe that Ryan has done an impeccable job with his material all season long. His set talked about audience interaction that includes an Indianapolis garage sale and a 95-year-old woman who wanted to fist bump. He made me smile all season, and I think he has a bright future in comedy ahead of him. A-
It has been three years since vocal quartet Linkin’ Bridge made it to the AGT finale. Tonight. Voices of Service now has a chance to do what the Kentucky quartet was unable to do: win the $1,000,000 prize. Tonight, Voices of Service performed Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand” and they gave me chills. Their harmonies were outstanding and I pray that they get a record deal after AGT ends. A
Ellie Kemper’s Golden Buzzer act, Light Balance Kids, have fallen their mentors’ footsteps and made it to the AGT season finale. They transported us a neon diner that is inhabited by monstrous food. I believe that this is definitely a Vegas-worthy act and that they have a bright future in the entertainment industry. A+
Singer Benicio Bryant is an AGT superfan, and he dreamed of winning the show! While I like his voice, his decisions to sing original songs turned me off. I rather have seen him perform cover songs such as Shawn Mendes’ “Treat You Better,” Justin Bieber’s “Sorry,” and AJ Mitchell’s “Slow Dance” instead of original tunes. B
In all honesty, I wished Tyler Butler-Figueroa did not make the finale! Yes, he beat cancer, but that does not mean he deserves the $1,000,000 prize. I would have buzzed him after that performance. His talent is subpar against his other contestants, and I do not believe that he is worthy of winning this show. F
Seeing singer-pianist Kodi Lee perform on the AGT stage was definitely a highlight of Season 14. Tonight, he performed Freya Ridings’ “Lost Without You” and he cemented his future in the music industry. I believe that win or lose, Kodi Lee, will play a major role in the music industry for years to come. A
The Ndlovu Youth Choir was the final act to perform on the AGT: Season 14 finale. They performed Toto’s “Africa” for their last time on the Dolby Theatre stage. Ndlovu seriously gave Angel City Chorale a run for their money with this excellent performance. I truly see these kids traveling around the world on an international tour! A+
Tomorrow night! The Season 14 Winner will be revealed! Plus, several superstars including Cher, Chris Jericho, Leona Lewis, and Macklemore are scheduled to perform!
[…] Last night, America’s Got Talent (AGT): Season 14’s Top 10 performed one final time on the Dolby Theatre stage. But before Terry Crews got to the crucial results, several major superstars joined the AGT finalists on stage for once-in-a-lifetime performances. […]