Golden Buzzer picks Mzansi Youth Choir and Putri Ariani advanced to the finals following viewer voting on Wednesday’s episode of America’s Got Talent on NBC.
The one-hour results episode ended with 17-year-old bling singer-songwriter Putri crying tears of joy after Simon Cowell‘s Golden Buzzer pick advanced.
She wowed the audience with her angelic and piercing voice during her performance on Tuesday’s episode singing U2’s song I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.
Franchise creator and judge Simon, 63, said that while U2 doesn’t license their songs very often, they did for Putri.
‘You deserve it,’ Simon said to Putri after it was announced she was moving on in the competition.
Results episode: The one-hour results episode ended with 17-year-old bling singer-songwriter Putri Ariani crying tears of joy after Simon Cowell ‘s Golden Buzzer pick advanced to the finals
Simon told show host Terry Crews, 55, that he was ‘gutted’ for third-place finisher Warrior Squad, an acrobatic act from India.
‘I’m gutted for the group that came third genuinely because they couldn’t have done any more. However, that shows just how good these two that got through are.’
Mzansi Youth Choir from South Africa, who had performed former contestant Nightbirde’s original song for their audition after she passed away from cancer at the age of 31, had been excited during their performance on Tuesday when they heard that Nightbirde’s parents were in the audience.
They sang Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac dressed in white as golden confetti fell down around them and Simon thanked them for the beautiful tribute they had done for Nightbirde.
They hugged each other when they learned they were moving on in the competition.
‘What’s amazing about this is they were so moved by something that happened on this stage with Nightbirde,’ Howie Mandel, 67, said. ‘They were so moved that they came here and that movement continues with their culture and their beauty and their talent. You moved America.
Warrior Squad made it to the top three before they were eliminated.
Terry started the show dancing while the Detroit Lions cheerleaders cheered him on. Heidi Klum, 50, held up a Detroit Lions jersey while Sofia Vergara, 51, held up a jersey of the Kansas City Chiefs. Terry reminded everyone the NFL kickoff game between the two teams would take place on Thursday on NBC.
Fan favorites: Mzansi Youth Choir from South Africa hugged each other when they learned they were moving on in the competition
The judges: Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell have been serving as judges during season 18 of the NBC show
Third place: Warrior Squad, an acrobatic act from India, finished in third place
Nightbirde inspired: ‘What’s amazing about this is they were so moved by something that happened on this stage with Nightbirde,’ Howie Mandel, 67, said. ‘They were so moved that they came here and that movement continues with their culture and their beauty and their talent. You moved America’
When Terry asked Howie why he was so outspoken during the last show, Howie said ‘It’s PMS. Professional Mentoring Service.’
‘That’s what I’m doing for you,’ Howie said.
AGT top five finalist Chapel Hart Band from last year returned to the show to perform their new song Fam Damily.
Mos, an all-female four member Japanese music group determined to bring back the big brass band music; Mzansi Youth Choir; Putri Ariani; magician Trigg Watson from Los Angeles, and Warrior Squad, were announced as the top five.
‘I don’t want to jinx anything,’ Simon said to Putri when she made the top five. ‘As it stands right now, I always say this and it’s true that the American audience really gets this right. Fingers crossed. What you did last night was genuinely one of my favorite ever live performances.’
New song: AGT top five finalist Chapel Hart Band from last year returned to the show to perform their new song Fam Damily
Top five: Mos, an all-female four member Japanese music group determined to bring back the big brass band music, finished in the top five
Singer Summer Rios, 19, from Brunswick, Ohio, who makes pizza for a living; Herwan Legaillard, a sword swallowing aerialist from Paris; tap dancer Justin Jackson from Montreal, Canada; comedian Barry Brewer Jr. ; Philip Bowen, a violin musician from the Appalachian mountains in Montgomery, West Virginia; and Phil Wright and The Parent Jam, which started in a small studio in Los Angeles were all eliminated.
The judges also shared stories about the first time they were recognized. Heidi said it was after she was on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. Sofia said it was when she was 17 and did a soda commercial in Colombia.
Howie said it was after he had done two TV shows when someone came up to him and said ‘aren’t you Howie Mandel and I turned to her and I said ‘Mom, this is crazy.’
‘I was in America,’ Simon said. ‘I think I was in the supermarket or something and someone said ”Simon” and I thought it’s obviously someone they know and it was just some people who had watched the show. People are very friendly. It’s probably the best part of the job.’
Terry said he was on a plane when the pilot came out and said he was the biggest fan of AGT.
‘I was in such awe but then I said ”who’s flying the plane?”,’ Terry said.
Cover girl: Heidi revealed that she was public recognized for the first time after she was on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue
First recognized: Sofia said she was first recognized when she was 17 and did a soda commercial in Colombia
The contestants then shared stories about how they had already been recognized.
‘I had a mom and daughter come in and pick up their pizza and said ‘wait you’re from America’s Got Talent, right?’ Summer said.’I’m like yup that’s me!’
‘It makes me happy because when people call my name and take a photo with me I know this is how they express their love to me,’ Putri said.
‘If people want an autograph or a selfie you’ve got to say yes,’ Simon said. ‘That is the advice I give to people. You’ve got to always recognize the people who got you there.’
The judges also talked about when they were memes.
‘When I was a rain worm for Halloween last year they made a lot of memes,’ Heidi said.
When they asked Simon, he said, ‘You know, I don’t have a phone.’
‘I’m kind of clueless,’ Simon said.
No phone: Simon revealed that he does not have a phone
The judges were shown pictures and they made meme captions for them. In one photo, Sofia flew with her arms open.
‘I’m single!’ Howie captioned the photo of Sofia.
Sofia said she had never made a meme and didn’t want to make one.
AGT will return next Tuesday on NBC.