Latest news with #AGT
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘America's Got Talent 20' recap: Simon declares ‘one of the craziest days' of auditions
America's Got Talent Season 20 continued Tuesday night with the eighth two-hour edition of its auditions episodes. This week features gym bros throwing weights over Mel B and Sofia Vergara's heads, a 13-year-old that defies gravity, a rapping comedian, a truly "unreal" Golden Buzzer moment from Howie Mandel, and a declaration from Simon Cowell that this set of auditions makes "one of the craziest days" in a long time. This season's competition follows the same format that AGT fans are used to. In the auditions phase, an act needs at least three "yes" votes from the judges to advance. If a judge or Terry Crews believes an act is exceptional they can hit the Golden Buzzer to award them an automatic bid to the final rounds. More from Gold Derby 'Big Brother 27' spoilers: Lauren's HOH reign goes from bad to worse after Veto meeting 'Big Brother 27' spoilers: Here's who wins the Week 3 Veto competition during Lauren's yawn-inducing HOH reign Read on for our "Auditions 8" recap of the contestants who performed on America's Got Talent Season 20, Episode 8, which aired July 29 at 8 p.m. on NBC. Darien Johnson & Scott MathisonAct: Stunt fitnessVotes Yes/No: Yes — Howie, Mel, Sofia, SimonMel's comments: "What you do is proper fit and hot."Sofia's comments: "This is very interesting ... it looks really hard."Howie's comments: "I think it's entertaining, it's a strength act, it's an agility act ... you checked a lot of boxes."Simon's comments: "It was surprising and very, very difficult." Sunny SaucedaAct: BandVotes Yes/No: No — Howie, Sofia, MelHowie's comments: "I don't get it. It'd be fun in a bar. It didn't do it for me, but I didn't know what I was watching. Silas Luke JonesAct: GuitaristHometown: AlaskaVotes Yes/No: Yes — Sofia, Mel, Howie, SimonSofia's comments: "What an audition. That was insane and so surprising. You became a rock star in front of our eyes."Howie's comments: "You're kind of like an Alaska techno-Hendrix."Mel's comments: "You're one of a kind, you really are."Simon's comments: "You're a very nice guy, very humble, and then you turn into that. ... That's what I love about the show — moments like that." UnrealAct: Dance crewHometown: IndiaBuzzers: Howie's Golden BuzzerSimon's comments: "Slightly speechless if I'm being honest with you. I just thought it was so creative, brilliant, scary. I can tell how much work you must have put into this ... that's what I call the business."Sofia's comments: "Perfect audition. Your personalities, the effort you put into your clothing ... it was one of the best shows we've seen this season."Howie's comments: "We've seen dance moves, we've seen contortions, but to put it all together and to show us something in a way we've never seen before. ... You deserve everything. You deserve to be taken all the way!" Evelyn ErranteAct: SingerHometown: PhoenixVotes Yes/No: No — Howie; yes — Mel, Sofia, SimonSofia's comments: "You are perfect for what you want to do."Howie's comments: "What you want to do is not something I really respond to."Mel's comments: "You can sing like that at 13, by the time you get to 18 your voice is gonna be amazing. I've done Broadway twice and it's so hard work. ... It wasn't perfect and you've got a lot of work to do, but I'm gonna say yes."Simon's comments: "You've got so much ambition, we should encourage someone like that on this show." Tej, Ibhan & LarsAct: VarietyHometown: Brooklyn, Yes/No: Yes — Mel, Simon, Howie; No — SofiaBuzzers: Red X - Howie, Sofia, MelSofia's comments: "That was disgusting."Mel's comments: "It was too long. ... You made me belly laugh so I'm gonna say yes."Simon's comments: "It was inventive, it was silly, but it kind of worked ... people are gonna like them."Howie's comments: "I didn't love this, but the fact that you said there's a human piñata — that's what I wanna see so you can take back my X." The Jet BoysAct: Boy bandVotes Yes/No: Yes — Mel, Sofia, Simon; no — HowieHowie's comments: "You guys put on an amazing show and you're amazing dancers ... once you started singing? I think you guys are amazing dancers. They're not good singers."Mel's comments: "Your energy you could just feel it coming off the stage ... I was not expecting any of that. It was brilliant."Sofia's comments: "It was surprising because I thought you guys were just gonna dance."Simon's comments: "I'm glad that you actually sung for us. You've got so much potential ... it was very difficult to hear if one of you has a really good lead vocal. I'm slightly on the fence." Dewayne JacksonAct: Stand-up comedianHometown: Stockton, Yes/No: Yes — Simon, Sofia, Howie, MelHowie's comments: "You are amazing. You are memorable. You are likable. You are real."Simon's comments: "That was one of the best auditions we've had today, genuinely. Partly because you're just naturally funny."Mel's comments: "You made me belly laugh all the way." Brandon RaffoAct: JugglerVotes Yes/No: Yes — Howie, Mel, Simon, SofiaHowie's comments: "That's faster than I've ever seen."Mel's comments: "You're the first person ever to make juggling hot."Simon's comments: "You might be the fastest juggler in the world." Rich and CarleneAct: Competitive eatingVotes Yes/No: No — Howie, Mel, Sofia, SimonBuzzers: Red X — MelSimon's comments: "I don't know what we're judging — that's the problem."Mel's comments: "It looked quite savage, I didn't really get it."Sofia's comments: "It's difficult to decide if this is really an AGT act." Chris TurnerAct: Rapping comedianHometown: Manchester, EnglandVotes Yes/No: Yes — Sofia, Simon, Mel, HowieSofia's comments: "That was one of the most fun things we've had all day."Howie's comments: "I'm fascinated by what you just did and I think the audience was."Mel's comments: "For you to be so articulate and creative, that is such a talent."Simon's comments: "It was so clever ... it was original and that's what we love on this show." Ksenia AngelAct: SingerBuzzers: Red X — Simon, Mel, SofiaSimon's comments: "I will pay not to [sing with you]." Campus University CascadesAct: Stunt fightingHometown:Votes Yes/No: Yes — SimonSimon's comments: "This is one of the craziest days — that's a good thing — we've had for a long time. However, I love this act." Andy Wigman YuAct: Quick-changeVotes Yes/No: No — Sofia, Mel, SimonBuzzers: Red X — MelSimon's comments: "Who has anything to say? Nope." Alexa MoralesAct: Singer-songwriterHometown: OaklandVotes Yes/No: No — Howie, Simon, Sofia, MelBuzzers: Red X — Simon, Mel, Howie, SofiaSimon's comments: "Werefoxes can't sing." Goldie HenAct: Comedic hula-hoopingHometown: New EnglandVotes Yes/No: Yes — Howie, Mel, Simon; no — SofiaHowie's comments: "You do have a talent, the question is what goes beyond this."Simon's comments: "I loved it. Seriously. It was like one of those crazy nightmares when you drank tequila and you can't stop it." SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of Gold Derby From 'Housewives' overload to the 'shadiest queens' alliance: The dish on 'The Traitors' Season 4 lineup The 25 best 'Survivor' villains of the past 25 years 'Survivor' winners list: All seasons Click here to read the full article. Solve the daily Crossword
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
The Clairvoyants can read your mind: ‘America's Got Talent' duo brings mental magic to the global stage
It all started with a cup of coffee … and a blindfolded clairvoyant. As he sat beside me in a cafe booth, mentalist Thommy Ten asked me to take out some items from my bag at random. Rummaging through pens and chargers, I wanted to find something that Amélie van Tass, his stage partner and wife, might struggle to predict as she faced away from us. I handed Ten my passport, my wallet and a bag of almonds. Talking toward the wall, Van Tass said, 'It's an ID … is that a passport?' She was right. 'And it expires April 2033?' I didn't even know that — I checked and apparently, it does. Van Tass quickly guessed the bag of nuts. It was when she started accurately rattling off my license and Visa card numbers that the phrase 'sixth sense' came to my mind. The Clairvoyants perform mentalism, the branch of magic that encapsulates all things mind-reading, precognition and extrasensory perception. The duo's performances are theatrical and often break the fourth wall. They choose audience members at random and can accurately guess their birthdays, their hotel room numbers and the exact dollar amount they won after a night in Vegas. Many shows incorporate their dog, crowd favorite Mr. Koni Hundini. Of the trio, he messes up the most, but the people 'still love him,' said Ten. Ten and Van Tass are best known for coming in second place on Season 11 of NBC's 'America's Got Talent' in 2016. They also appeared on two 'AGT' spinoffs. Since then, they've headlined tours and Vegas residencies, drawing international recognition in the magic world. The couple took a brief break from performing in late 2024 to expand their family. 'It was always clear, we don't want to give up our job,' Van Tass said. 'They're just part of the whole circus. We love to call it a circus because now we have two dogs and one baby.' Ten and Van Tass' 8-month-old baby boy joins the Clairvoyants in their travels, but not on the stage. 'We try to be as normal as possible when we're at home. We're just Mom and Dad and not the Clairvoyants,' Van Tass said. Ten added, 'Of course, we try to keep it comfortable for him, for the dogs and for us. We don't go crazy with seven shows in seven states a week. We limit it to weekends now.' It's only fitting that the 'circus' headed to Vegas for the Clairvoyants' U.S. comeback. The duo recently joined 'AGT' champion magician Shin Lim in his Las Vegas residency with an act that merged their mental magic with Lim's sleight of hand. The Clairvoyants will hit the road once again in late October for a winter tour, which includes a Dec. 20 show in San Jacinto. Beyond their innovative psychic acts, the Clairvoyants have always challenged stereotypes about magic shows. 'There's always this picture of a magician and the assistant bringing tables in and out,' Ten said. 'That's the basic understanding of a magician. Our thing was always that we wanted to be equal on stage.' Ten and Van Tass, both 38, bring different talents to the act. 'You do more of the magic, magic stuff,' Van Tass said to Ten. 'And I'm more the mind reading and feeling and sensing things, which I think is a female thing too.' The couple first crossed paths on a set in 2011 — they started brainstorming a two-person magic act the next day. Less than a year later, the duo performed their first show, 'Second Sight.' It was the first step in carving out their niche, the modern, theatrical mentalism that has since become their signature act. The Clairvoyants soon began touring Europe, expanding their routine into a full-length show within the year. In 2014, they brought the tour to America, where they joined 'The Illusionists,' the world's largest traveling magic show. Two years later, they went even bigger: 'America's Got Talent.' Over four months on 'AGT,' the Clairvoyants performed eight times and beat out more than 100,000 other contestants. The duo came in second, behind singer Grace VanderWaal. Every episode of their season of 'AGT' ranked No. 1 in its NBC time slot. 'Suddenly, our season was watched by 16, 17 million viewers,' said Ten. With so many people tuning in and voting from home, the Clairvoyants became a household name. They also returned in 2019 for the spinoff 'America's Got Talent: The Champions' and in 2024 for 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League.' They were eliminated in the preliminary round on both shows. 'In our genre, mentalism, mind-reading, it's normally very small. Like in a parlor setting or a face-to-face thing,' said Ten. 'Our dream was always to make it big so we can perform in front of thousands of people. It should still feel like everybody's part of it; everyone can be involved.' While their 'AGT' appearance opened doors to Broadway and tours worldwide, they aspired for more. From 2021 to 2022, the Clairvoyants performed 500 shows in one year. After the birth of their son, they performed five to 10 shows a week in Vegas. Their upcoming U.S. tour will take them cross-country over the holidays. The fanbase they built from 'AGT' added a layer of both excitement and pressure, but it isn't necessarily what keeps the Clairvoyants moving at such an impressive pace. 'We have performed in front of 20 people and were as excited as we would have been in front of 20,000 people,' Van Tass said. 'I'm most excited when I know that there are good friends and family in the audience.' The Clairvoyants didn't just want a bigger audience, they needed one. Their spectacular stage performances couldn't have possibly worked in the parlor rooms of the past. Performance highlights include Van Tass showcasing her mental magic while submerged in 2,000 liters of water, using a flamethrower and even being suspended in the air, à la Cirque du Soleil. The Clairvoyants strive to make their show special to each audience member, every night. 'They make it possible that we can do what we do. Every single person deserves the best version and 100%,' said Van Tass. Fans' experiences are the key to keeping the magic alive — and keeping it confidential. Of course, the Clairvoyants can't reveal their secrets, but that doesn't stop viewers from speculating. One theory suggests that audience members are paid participants. But when a blindfolded Van Tass predicts what you have in hand, and you know you aren't in on it, that theory falls apart. Originally from Austria, the couple spends half the year performing in Europe and the other half in the U.S. — in Vegas or on tour. With German as their first language, English as their second and the 'tiny bit of Spanish' Van Tass speaks, the Clairvoyants are prepared to acclimate. 'It's important that at least we have a couple of words in different languages to adapt to people and to new countries,' Van Tass said. Performing worldwide has earned the duo awards from across Europe and the U.S. In 2015 they were dubbed the World Champions of Mentalism by the FISM, one of the most respected international magic organizations. In 2017, the Academy of Magical Arts and the Magic Castle Hollywood voted Ten and Van Tass Stage Magicians of the Year. In 2020 they received the Mandrakes d'Or — France's 'Oscar of magic.' From their pre-'AGT' tours to their Las Vegas residency, the Clairvoyants have a long streak of reading minds and blowing minds too. And the pair shows no signs of slowing down. Their ambitious winter tour aims to spread holiday magic from coast to coast. 'We just want to take people and bring them into our magical world,' said Van Tass. 'Just let them forget everything and feel like kids again.'
Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Leo High School choir headed to ‘America's Got Talent' quarterfinals in August
Imagine heading out to pick up your father's medicine at the neighborhood CVS one day, only to be stopped by four strangers who ask: 'Can I take a picture with you?' That's was what happened to Kriston Bell, 17. When approached, the Beverly resident asked if they knew him from somewhere. Their response: 'From 'America's Got Talent.'' The admirers took pictures to share with their kids. 'I'm just walking into Chick-fil-A, next thing I hear is someone say, 'Ain't that the people from 'America's Got Talent?'' said Dolton resident Stephen Jackson, 17. This is the new normal for members of Leo High School's choir after their performance on the 20th season of NBC's reality talent show aired June 10 — now that the melodic prowess of the 22 young men from the South Side Catholic school for boys has gone global. And while its choir has stepped to the forefront as of late, Leo High School has been known as a place where young Black and brown men are nurtured to succeed. And they do — from sports to academics . 'Since I have been at Leo, more than 90% of our graduates have gone on to college,' said Leo President Dan McGrath. On 'America's Got Talent,' the choir wowed all four judges and the audience with a resounding rendition of The Score's 'Born for This.' The team heads back to California in August to participate in the talent competition's quarterfinals. Choir members were rehearsing for hours at the school every Thursday in July. If they advance after this round, the group will be closer to winning the $1 million grand prize. The choir had a certain amount of notoriety locally prior to 'AGT' — from taking the stage at the Democratic National Convention last summer, to performing at Millennium Park's Holiday Sing-Along this past December, to singing for the city of Chicago during Black History Month — but the 'AGT' platform is its biggest yet. The young men caught the attention of the show's scouts when an Instagram video of their singing was posted by CBS Chicago in early 2024. The rest is history. By June of this year, the choir was performing at the Archdiocese of Chicago's celebration of Pope Leo XIV at Rate Field and at a Juneteenth event at Wrigley Field. 'National reality TV shows, multiple different news networks, sports games, I think I've ticked off the whole bucket list,' Jackson said about his involvement with the choir. Some Leo choir members juggle rehearsals with summer jobs. From restaurants like iHop (Jackson says his manager is 'very forgiving' with his choir commitments and scheduling) to retailers like Menards and Stein Learning Gardens at St. Sabina the young men are working hard on their futures — futures that gel well with not just the choir's success, but also with Leo's philosophy of working hard for success, according to choir director LaDonna Hill. 'Most people are average … getting up every day trying to figure it out, willing to try and not quit. Those are the things I like to build on. That's why I'm so proud of these 22 guys,' she said. Having performed publicly at 60 events last year, the men committed themselves to the work. 'To have these young men show up, be committed, not afraid to try something new, and legitimately give themselves to it 100% — it's inspiring,' Hill said. Leo Principal Shaka Rawls is not surprised the choir is getting the recognition it is. A Leo alumnus, Rawls has led the school since 2016 and said 'it was only a matter of time' the national spotlight found the choir, given the hard work that goes into supporting Leo students' mental health, educational growth and service to the community. All are part of Leo's mission of making good people and stewards of the community. 'I want to make the next generation of men better than the last generation — particularly Black and brown men,' Rawls said. Parents credit the choir's momentum to the synergy between Yolanda Sandifer-Horton, Leo High School's choir manager and coordinator of student engagement, and Hill. According to Hill, many members of the choir did not know how to sing or did not possess any musical background before they became part of the team. Hill — who is retiring from Leo after 25 years to pursue ministry — looks back at helping the choir grow through a lens of creativity, patience, hard work and fun. 'We push them to do their best, but at the same time, we try to know what's going on in their lives, so we can talk them through things. We want them to feel safe, respected, and looked after,' McGrath said. McGrath considers the choir members ambassadors for the institution, which will celebrate 100 years in 2026. A 1968 graduate of Leo, McGrath has seen firsthand the neighborhood's demographics change from predominantly white to Black and brown, with businesses and churches abandoning Auburn Gresham in the process. They stayed the course in the South Side community with their motto: 'Deeds not words.' 'Oftentimes, we say teachers inspire students … but they've inspired me,' Hill said. 'I teach them four golden rules: discipline, dedication, being responsible and being a team player. I build on that. You get to the end of the process — the results — and you can feel good about whatever the outcome is because you did your best.' While current Leo Lions are making plans for the 'AGT' prize money (college funds feature prominently) Sandifer-Horton said she would like the limelight to offer more exposure for the colleges recent Leo graduates attend. Nine choir members graduated last year. 'It's bringing exposure not only to Leo, but to nine other colleges and universities,' she said. 'Many people who don't win, get so much exposure and opportunities; a lot of people come out winners in other ways.' For twins Steven and Stephen Jackson, 17, their Leo choir experience has helped them with their public speaking skills and confidence. Bell is looking to use his voice more when working on his own melodic hip-hop music. Rios is looking forward to joining Clark Atlanta University's choir when he attends in the fall. 'Leo's choir has done what most professional musicians are still trying to do,' Rios said, looking back at the group's trajectory. 'We definitely did the best we could as far as us being teenagers.' After their first appearance on the show, an anonymous donor gave each choir member $5,000 to be used for their educational pursuits after high school. 'They are very humble,' said Chatham resident Latonya Smith, parent to 17-year-old choir member Xavier Smith. 'These are some really gifted, locked-in young men, but I don't think they know the impact of being on national TV; for my son, the reality hasn't hit him yet.' Sondrae Lewis is looking forward to accompanying her 16-year-old Michael Lewis to California in August for a two-week stay. The Lewis family relocated six months ago from Auburn Gresham, where Leo High School sits, to Griffith, Indiana. Lewis, a rising senior and first tenor, is adamant about graduating from Leo and plans to travel to school at 6:30 a.m. to attend hour-and-a-half choir rehearsals before classes begin, five days a week. 'We've all been so excited that our boys are being exposed to things they wouldn't be able to if they weren't a part of the choir,' Sondrae Lewis said. 'With the choir, they're covering ground on what they're exposed to, who they're being exposed to. … These young men haven't been in those kinds of environments, places or travels, and they have been picking up momentum.' Now that the school choir is in high demand, McGrath said parents are coming into the school saying they'd like to see their son get into the choir. The search for the next choir director has already begun. But whoever takes up the mantle will have to have a family mindset, Hill said. She considers her arrival at Leo divine. It all started with a phone call from a friend after the loss of her child. She lost one soul to connect with many others. 'I gained all of these amazing young men — that's why I describe it as divine. Look at how far they've come. I just pray that whoever comes will be fascinated with that process,' she said. ''AGT' is great and I hope we win the whole thing, but my goal is the Vatican in March,' Rawls said. 'There's no reason why the Leo High School choir, with its newfound fame, should not perform for Pope Leo. That just makes sense to me.'
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Sofia Vergara shares update following second medical procedure
Sofía Vergara, best known for her role on Modern Family, has undergone her second knee surgery, nearly one year after her initial procedure in April 2024. The actress shared the news via Instagram on July 25, posting two images, one of herself smiling in a hospital gown and another showing her bandaged knee in a grey brace, captioned simply. Vergara did not disclose the medical specifics of either surgery. Her previous operation occurred in spring 2024, during which she documented her recovery journey with social media updates. Since then, Vergara and Saliman have parted ways. As of January 2025, she has signaled single status in public appearances. The actor's knee troubles also impacted her role as a judge on America's Got Talent last summer. Photos from backstage showed Vergara using assistance as she walked, while co-judge Howie Mandel gifted her a pogo-stick, style recovery device as a lighthearted gesture amid her mobility issues. Although she continues to fulfill professional obligations, including appearances on AGT and her Netflix series Griselda, Vergara is currently resting and focusing on recovery. At the time, she has not announced any change to her upcoming schedule.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch Bodybuilders Darien Johnson and Scott Mathison Take Their Workouts to a Whole New Level on 'AGT'
Watch Bodybuilders Darien Johnson and Scott Mathison Take Their Workouts to a Whole New Level on 'AGT' originally appeared on Parade. You've never seen a workout routine like this one from social media stars Darien Johnson and Scott Mathison. The two men have designed a special workout for Season 20 of America's Got Talent that blends strength, coordination, and creativity in a workout routine that turns the stage into a gym unlike any other. 'We each did extreme workouts through our social media channels and we followed each other for a long time,' Scott told judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel. 'When we start putting our workouts together, it really took us to the next level as far as the workouts we had, the filming we were doing and the workouts we were creating.' 🤩📺SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter & get the scoop on the latest TV news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🤩🎥 But Darien and Scott are hoping that the AGT stage will give them increased opportunities. 'Our viral videos have gone up to like 200 million views. So they get into a lot of love from the audience but we want to break into Hollywood,' Darien said. 'We've always had dreams of doing our own stunts on an action movie, so we felt there is no better opportunity than to be here.' Simon was skeptical when the men first picked up their weights, wondering, 'How will they make this interesting?' But as they began to throw around heavy barbells and other gym equipment, it soon became evident this was no ordinary workout. They then invited Sofia and Mel B on stage to become a part of the act. 'I closed my eyes,' Mel B said when she was back at the judges' table. 'What you do is proper fit and hot.' 'This is very interesting,' Sofia added. 'I don't think we've ever seen this on AGT. It's really hard. Looking at your bodies, I can tell.' 'I think it's entertaining,' Howie said. 'It's a strength act, it's an agility act, it inspires people to be in shape. I think you checked a lot of boxes.' Related: And Simon told Darien and Scott, 'I think a lot of people are going to find this very interesting.' Before they voted, Mel B asked host Terry Crews' opinion because of all of them, Terry is the workout guy. 'People have no idea how hard this is,' Terry said. 'These are my guys. I love these guys.' And there was no doubt, but the vote was four yeses. America's Got Talent airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Next, Watch Bodybuilders Darien Johnson and Scott Mathison Take Their Workouts to a Whole New Level on 'AGT' first appeared on Parade on Jul 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
