Following a brief Fourth of July hiatus last week, the long-running NBC talent competition show returned with a new set of auditions in the Tuesday, July 11 episode.
- Jul 12, 2023
AceShowbiz - The Tuesday, July 11 episode of "America's Got Talent" picked up with auditions following a brief Fourth of July hiatus. The first act to perform in front of the judges, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell, in the new episode was 14-year-old Mariandrea, a dancer from Mexico.
The young dancer impressed the judges with her dancing and contortionist skills. "That was spectacular," Sofia raved. Simon added, "You have a real presence about you… I think you're unbelievably talented." Mariandrea earned four yes from the judges.
Following it up was the 82nd Airborne Chorus from North Carolina. The group performed a stunning rendition of "My Girl" and Heidi loved their harmonization. Simon added that the performance was the "perfect tribute" to their fellow soldier who died the week prior.
Later, magician Artem Shchukin brought the Uncle Fester vibes with his audition to "The Addams Family" theme song. The judges loved how he combined cool card tricks and comedy and he was sent to the next round.
The all-girl music group MOS then took the stage to sing "Bang Bang" with their instruments. Sofia called their performance "magical." Simon, meanwhile, was surprised as he said, "It's just so unique. I don't think it sounded great the whole time. When it did sound great, it was amazing." MOS moved on to the next round!
The next performer was Trent Toney, a 30-year-old singer who is also a firefighter. As he revealed that he wanted his ex-wife back, the audience suggested that he should call his ex. Heidi then held his phone while Trent was performing his touching original song "Always and Lately". Trent received praises from the judges and was unsurprisingly sent to the next round.
Singing puppets Cow Belles was up next. Sofia didn't seem to be impressed when they sang "Toxic" by Britney Spears, but the other judges begged to differ. Cow Belles remain on the show.
Aerial gymnasts Duo Desire then offered a jaw-dropping performance. Howie even thought that their audition was "one of the most impressive things I have seen in a long time." Sisters Presley & Taylor later performed an original song, though it wasn't good enough to make the judges send them to the next round.
Sword-swallower Andrew Stanton hit the stage and Sofia claimed that she wasn't sure if she liked it. However, Andrew eventually earned four yes from the judges.
Rounding out the night was Lavender Darcangelo, a 27-year-old singer who is blind and autistic. During her audition, she wowed everyone with a beautiful rendition of "Out Here On My Own" by Irena Cara and earned standing ovations. "That was sensational," Simon commented. "You have such a talent. You have such an amazing personality."
Heidi also loved Lavender's performance and she wanted it to be unforgettable for everyone. She decided to hit her Golden Buzzer for Lavender, prompting the latter to break down in tears and hug her dad.
Heidi then walked up on stage to hug the singer and promised to hold her hand "all the way to the finish line."
