‘America’s Got Talent’ episode 13 recap: Live shows continue with third night of quarterfinals [UPDATING LIVE BLOG]
“America’s Got Talent” continues to countdown to the season 19 finale on Tuesday with the third live show of the summer. In this quarter-finals round, which consist of four episodes, 11 acts per night take to the stage. Only four will make the cut and move on in the competition.
One will get a Golden Buzzer from one of the judges — Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel or Sofia Vergara — while three will top the tally when America votes.
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Below, follow along as we recap all the action on “America’s Got Talent” Season 19 Episode 13 in our minute-by-minute blog.
8:02 p.m. – Terry announced that tonight Heidi is in control of the Golden Buzzer with her committing to “doing the right thing” with that power, but admitting that she can be moved by any act.
8:03 p.m. – The first act to perform this week was the latest iteration of the boy band Menudo. After their first audition, Simon asked them to “be yourselves” rather than let the industry change them. With that in mind, they performed a new song “Party en California” tonight with full Spanish verses. Tonight, Howie was not on board with the kids, likening their performance to something on Saturday morning television. Howie and Sofia embraced the party they brought to the stage, even if the voices “aren’t the best in the world.” Instead of giving his own opinion, Simon let the guys speak and confirmed for him that they chose the song they performed and that they took his advice to do what they wanted to do.
8:15 p.m. – Referring to his own talent as “crazy magic,” Taiwan’s Sam Huang was up next to show his latest close up magic routine. After his showy finger displacement, Heidi said that she loves him a lot, Sofia referred to his magic as “very unique” but she questioned what he can “bring to the finals,” and Simon appreciates that Sam “brings something different” to magic on the show. He did call the music he used “terrible,” though. Howie called him his favorite close up magician “ever on this show.”
8:25 p.m. – Country duo The Reklaws performed a personal, emotionally resonant song in the first round and so tonight they wanted to switch it up with something uptempo to get the crowd on their feet. Their song, “Love Live the Night,” led Sofia to compliment their willingness to sing original songs, but Howie admitted to loving their first performance more than this one. Heidi applauded them for how they’ve stepped their game up throughout their career and Simon called them “very talented,” but thinks they chose a “midway song” rather than the big song that ends a concert.
8:36 p.m. – The 18 dancers in the Japanese group Sabrina came together tonight with a promise of all aspects of their act (dancing, choreography, costumes) being “better.” Sofia was the first judge to say that they achieved their goal, commenting that it’s obvious how much work they put in to that performance. Simon acknowledged that they received “the biggest reaction” so far from the audience, but doesn’t think they’re as good as recent winners The Mayyas. Howie told them that they deserve to be in the competition, especially because it feels like “the year of dance” on the show. Heidi says she “feels your passion” and thinks that they’ll earn America’s vote with that performance.
8:48 p.m. – Dentist and aerialist Kelsey Jane soared on stage tonight in her latest act using suspended silks. Heidi was the only judge to rise to her feet at the end of the performance, telling Kelsey that she’s “fascinated” and mind blown that she’s able to do this so well as just a hobby. Once Howie said that she’s performing an act they see a lot of every year and thinks there is room for improvement. Sofia reminded everyone that they loved her so much in the first round and Simon couldn’t get a word in except to ask her why she wants to do this if she’s doing so well as a dentist. Kelsey said, “Because it’s fun.”
8:58 p.m. – Ahead of his latest performance, 9 year old singer Journeyy was advised by Simon to do “something out of your comfort zone” and felt compelled to push himself with more high notes in his rendition of “Three Little Birds” than he was originally planning. Speaking first, Simon said taht Journeyy created “a moment” this week and expressed hope that the audience gets behind him in the vote. Heidi applauded the “gutsy” decision to sing Bob Marley and Sofia called him the best act of the night so far. Howie called him a “superstar” and “the most exciting thing to happen tonight.”
9:09 p.m. – Terry hyped up the next act because comedian Learnmore Jonasi is the one act he chose for his Golden Buzzer selection this season. Following a new set of jokes about how “American” it feels to have a green card and the comparison to certain things like family dynamics and food quality back in Zimbabwe, Sofia called his comedy “joyful and relatable” and Simon thinks he’s “one of the best contestants” of the season. Howie agreed that he’s a likable personality on stage that manages to “touch every bone” of the audience despite the cultural distance.
9:20 p.m. – Singer Dee Dee Simon went with a cover of the contemporary hit song “Lose Control” for her performance tonight. In the midst of a standing ovation from the audience, Howie took his shoes off to match the energy she gave on stage, Simon pointed out that “there was no holding you back and no fear” in her performance, and Sofia called “the whole thing” amazing. Heidi added that “the rang, the tone in your voice” and thought the thing missing from her performance was earning the Golden Buzzer! With that decision, Dee Dee will go straight to The Finals and be spared the overnight vote to the Semi-Final.
9:32 p.m. – Up next was the 11 year old “rock goddess” (Simon’s words) guitarist Maya Neelakantan with her take on a Metallica song, making her the first act for the band to ever allow to perform their music on the show. Howie loved that she mixed the song with music from India and called her “a surprise.” Heidi said she was “amazing on it,” Sofia expressed disbelief that she achieves what she does, and Simon said she’s “just one of these people with a God-given talent.” He also gave her the sought after comment that she stepped up her performance from the first audition.
9:43 p.m. – The next young performer to take the stage tonight was 15 year old Reid Wilson with his confident take on the early career Ariana Grande song “Almost Is Never Enough,” hoping to have a “wow factor moment” by making the song his own. Howie noted his poise and pitch as strong aspects of his performance, Sofia thinks he looks “like you belong on the stage,” Simon sees a singing career in the future for him because of the “real soul” in his voice, and Heidi agreed that he can “really hold you own on stage.”
9:55 p.m. – The final spot of the night was saved for Jelly Boy the Clown with only a warning from Terry: “Brace yourself.” Part comedy, part sword swallowing, and part overall cringe, Jelly Boy’s routine had Simon standing in ovation and Sofia holding her head in her hands with disbelief. Simon defended his love of it because he knows he’ll remember it tomorrow. Sofia and Heidi didn’t think it was necessary for Jelly Boy to get right up in front of them for some of his grotesque tricks, but Heidi at least appreciates that he grosses her out and she still wants to see more.