The highly anticipated America’s Got Talent live shows kicked off Aug. 19 on NBC, with 11 Quarterfinalists competing for the votes of the viewers at home. One of these acts would earn a live Golden Buzzer from the judges — Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, SofÃa Vergara, or Mel B — while three other acts would advance to the semifinals after host Terry Crews announced the voting results on Aug. 20.
The 11 acts competing in the first Quarterfinals round include three Golden Buzzers from the auditions: singer Charity Lockhart (chosen by Mel), singer Jourdan Blue (chosen by Howie), and multimedia dance group Light Wire (chosen by Simon).
They are joined by eight other competitors: dance group B Unique Crew, vocal trio CitiLimitz, dance group Loco Pop Familia, horror magic trio Phobias, comedian Shuler King, trapeze duo Sirca Marea, band Steve Ray Ladson, and band Tom Sandoval and the Most Extras. Lead singer Sandoval is hoping to change his media narrative as the “most hated man in America” after his former affair was chronicled on Vanderpump Rules.
Charity LockhartTrae Patton/NBC
One by one, the first group of 11 acts competed live on Tuesday night at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and voting officially opened at the end of the two-hour episode. Meet the 44 live show acts for AGT‘s 20th anniversary season. Read on for our America’s Got Talent 20, Quarterfinals 1 live show performances recap.
Light Wire
Act: Multimedia Dance Group
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Mel’s comments: “I am so angry that I don’t have a Golden Buzzer… coz that was outstanding.”
Sofia’s comments: “This is something special… mesmerizing.”
Howie’s comments: “This is the epitome of what somebody would be tickets for to see in Vegas.”
Simon’s comments: “This was one of the best live performances I’ve seen… when you see something at an [Olympics] Opening Ceremony, this is on par with that.”
Charity Lockhart
Act: Singer
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Mel’s comments: “I feel everything that you’re feeling. It’s like this is the first time I’ve heard this song and… it made me want to fall in love all over again.”
Simon’s comments: “You came back tonight as a different person. I think you’re the kind of singer, artist who deserves to be on Broadway. You have that beautiful, beautiful voice.”
Howie’s comments: “I saw glimpses, I did not see the whole thing. It did not blow me away.”
Sofia’s comments: “This rendition of the song was so perfect for you. You made it your own… that was amazing.”
Phobias
Act: Horror Magic Trio
Hometown: Italy
Buzzer: Red X from Mel and Simon
Simon’s comments: “I am not happy, I’ve got worms in front of me.”
Sofia’s comments: “I don’t know – I want to say I hate it, but I kind of like it. I think you make magic like a unique experience – it’s so dark and scary.”
Howie’s comments: “I’m very impressed… this is a blending of clowns and magic and terror and mystery and brought to us by two and a half clowns… I just think this is worthy.”
Mel’s comments: “I didn’t like it, but thank god it’s not me choosing… it wasn’t slick enough, it didn’t move fast enough.”
CitiLimitz
Act: Vocal Trio
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee
Howie’s comments: “You guys are lovable, are marketable, have great voices, but… you’ve gotta step it up and I don’t know that was better… I don’t know if it’s enough to get the votes you’re gonna need.”
Mel’s comments: “Their harmonies were on point… I thought you killed it. You killed it, you owned it.”
Simon’s comments: “I was really hoping on the live shows you’d be better – I don’t think you were… it didn’t feel like this was coming from you.”
Sofia’s comments: “I think you guys have a lot more to give. I think the audition was better… but there was something that didn’t click, that didn’t feel original and like exciting.”
Sirca Marea
Act: Trapeze Duo
Hometown: Argentina & Chile
Howie’s comments: “Oh my gosh… this is a combination of danger, dedication and dance all in one. Epic.”
Mel’s comments: “That is not right, it is not normal. You gave me the fright of my life, but it was brilliant, brilliant, brilliant… your technique, your vibe, your commitment… on FIRE!”
Sofia’s comments: “This tonight was amazing. It was sexy. It was scary. You guys made it unique once more.”
Simon’s comments: “It was honestly incredible… we’ve seen a lot of these types of acts over the years… I think people are going to relate to you and your story… actually spectacular… this was a step up.”
Steve Ray Ladson
Act: Band
Hometown: Hopkins, South Carolina
Buzzer: Sofia’s Golden Buzzer
Sofia’s comments: “You are a superstar, but to be honest I didn’t like the song, I loved it.”
Loco Pop Familia
Act: Dance Group
Hometown: Tokyo, Japan
Howie’s comments: “Where have you seen 13 dancing Labubus?”
Sofia’s comments: “It’s fun to watch.”
Simon’s comments: “How can you not like this? Seriously… a cat has never won this show. You’re fun and that is what doing well on this show apart from being talented is all about.”
Mel’s comments: “The choreography was great… still annoying, but I’ve gotta give it up.”
Shuler King
Act: Comedian
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Howie’s comments: “I love this guy… really authentic… you’re amazing, people are gonna remember you… you tell a great story.”
Simon’s comments: “We’re listening to a guy tell stories about dead people and we’re all laughing.”
Mel’s comments: “You’re funny before you even open your mouth… I really hope America votes for you coz you deserve it.”
Sofia’s comments: “I did like your audition, but this was so much better… if I was you I’d be trying to be in a movie or a sitcom coz you have that vibe in you.”
Jourdan Blue
Act: Singer
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Simon’s comments: “I’m sorry [that you’re sick]… I always liked you from your first audition. The fact that you had the guts – the strength – to come out and sing, you did bloody well.”
Howie’s comments: “I truly believe that you can win this. This performance… it’s amazing considering how sick you are.”
Mel’s comments: “Your vocals were so perfectly beautiful, but I could tell that you were holding back just a little bit.”
Sofia’s comments: “You’re just good, sick or not sick… everything about you screams rock star.”
B Unique Crew
Act: Dance Group
Hometown: Jodhpur, India
Mel’s comments: “I feel like I’m about to throw up. You are so good. You’re so different and putrid and not normal, totally wrong, but it’s absolutely lit and on fire.”
Simon’s comments: “I like this because it was… very original. I think there is with you – I think that was like a 7 out of 10. I think you’re capable of a 9.”
Howie’s comments: “My Golden Buzzer is a dance group two of you came from… you’re even better.”
Sofia’s comments: “You really stepped it up a notch tonight. The trick was better, the choreography was better, the look was better.”
Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras
Act: Band
Hometown: West Hollywood, California
Buzzer: Red X from Simon
Simon’s comments: “I like Tom and I like the band, but… it didn’t sound great. It might just be me from where I’m sat, but that did not sound good.”
Sofia’s comments: “The sound was not amazing, but this was super entertaining.”
Mel’s comments: “You made me smile, you just do… and the way that you commit is just flawless.”
Howie’s comments: “You wanna be the most fun cover band and that’s what we’re looking at. I think people who are watching will want you to play their weddings, their parties… you’re good people having a fun time.”