Heidi Klum and Mel B joined Howard and Howie on the latest season of “America’s Got Talent.” (Photo by NBC’s Skip Bolen)
By: Jacob Elyachar
A new era began on America’s Got Talent.
Former Spice Girl Mel B and legendary model Heidi Klum join Howard Stern and Howie Mandel in their quest to find the best undiscovered talent in the country.
The one lucky winner will have a chance to headline a show in Las Vegas and win a $1,000,000 cash prize.
Tonight, the quartet and host Nick Cannon traveled to San Antonio, New York and Los Angeles to look for the next Terry Fator, Jackie Evancho and Fighting Gravity.
Did they find any talent? Read on to find out…
The show first went to San Antonio to find their next big thing.
Snake handler David Weathers was the first act to present his act to the new judges. This was one of the show’s most dangerous auditions ever as David brought a rattlesnake to the stage and managed not only get the snake to bite the balloon but also scared the living daylights out of the audience. Mel B was impressed and Howie stated that David was out-of-his-mind in a good way. All four judges voted him through to the next round.
47-year-old carpenter Marty Brown’s wife tricked by him to travel from Franklin, Kentucky to audition for AGT. His cover of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” was heartfelt and hushed the entire room. He received a standing ovation from the show’s senior judges. Howard declared that Marty was “a great undiscovered treasure” and Heidi stated that it was beautiful. He received his ticket to Vegas.
The show returned to Howard’s hometown of New York City. Unfortunately, the first four acts were complete train wrecks. Things turned around when local dance troupe Catapult entered the fray. They told a great spy-thriller that would make James Bond and the Pink Panther creators proud. Mel B stated that they hit a home run, while Howard just simply bowed down to them. Catapult received the third unanimous “Yes” of the night.
Hawaiian dance group Hype made their AGT debut in the Big Apple. While the judges (especially Howie) chided them for creating their routine in under 24 hours, the trio delivered an outstanding routine that featured diverse dance styles to “Singing in the Rain.” Howie stated that it was phenomenal and Mel B added that is ridiculously sexy. Howard stated that they would be hanging out with him in Vegas.
10-year-old Anna Christine stole the show when she covered “The House of Rising Sun.” Her vocals were chilling and Mel B was impressed with the depth of Anna’s vocals, while the King of All Media declared her a superstar. She received four big yeses to Vegas and I strongly believe we found our first frontrunner.
The 3Penny Chorus and Orchestra performed their famous cover of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” on the AGT stage. They received a standing ovation from Howard and Mel B stated that they “took them to the moon and back.” Howie chimed in and said that he was very impressed with the song choice. Now the 68-member volunteer performing arts group is going to Vegas!
For the final half-hour, the show went to Los Angeles. While the Pacific Boys Choir got a “Yes” from the judges, Special Head surprised everyone with his levitation and magic tricks that received a standing ovation from Heidi, Mel B and Howie. For the first time in Howard’s tenure on AGT, he took back his X and Special Head received a ticket to the Vegas Rounds.
Stay-at-home mom Angela Hoover dusted off her dream of becoming a superb impressionist. She delivered spot-on impressions of Celine Dion, Drew Barrymore, Kristin Chenoweth and Penelope Cruz that received a standing ovation from Howie and Mel B. Howard thought her routine was smooth, while Heidi said that Angela looked like the women she impersonated. Angela received a ticket for Vegas.
The final audition of the night belonged to Tone, who wanted to be a One-Hit Wonder. His song “B.O.O.T.Y.” got everyone in the crowd dancing and Heidi grinded with Howard. The shock jock said that he struck a chord with the audience and all four judges sent him to Vegas.
Next week, the search continues!
