“America’s Got Talent” Recap: A Blind Dancer & 87-Year-Old Singer Advance

Isabella Vosmikova/NBC(NEW YORK) — America’s Got Talent returned on Tuesday, with more singers, magicians and dancers.

Tuesday’s showcase included a blind dancer, a professional regurgitator and an 87-year-old singing ex-showgirl.

Howie Mandel, Howard Stern, Heidi Klum and Mel B were back behind the judges’ table to offer their opinions and decide which acts would advance. Also back for season 10 was “The Golden Buzzer,” which gives each judge one opportunity to send an act straight to the live show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Here’s a rundown of some of Tuesday’s highlights:

Female hip-hop dance troupe DM Nation kicked things off with some precision dance moves that blew away the crowd and the judges. Howie, noting he’d just seen moves he’d never seen before, Heidi called it “perfection.” Mel B gave them her trademark “off the chain.” All four panelists gave them a simultaneous “yes” and the dancers moved on to the next round.

Mentalist Wayne Hoffman, 33, studied psychology and realized he could use his study of the human mind for entertainment. He lined up three giant firecrackers on a table behind him, two were duds and one was live. After bringing Mandel on stage to blindfold him and mix up the explosives, Wayne used Mandel’s body language to ascertain which ones were duds and which were live, holding each lit firecracker in his mouth as he tested his guesses. Howard proclaimed, “That was excellent.” Heidi said she was entertained the entire time, adding that Wayne was a little “cray-cray.” Mel B called it “dangerous” and “brilliant.” All four judges voted “yes” and Hoffman moved on to the next round.  

The Craig Lewis Band from Atlanta sang James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s, Man’s Man’s, World” to thunderous applause. Howie was impressed by the “power” of their voices. Heidi predicted they’d go far in the competition. Praising them for a “great audition,” Howard declared they took a difficult song and “owned it.” Mel B commented that they were “on point, out of the gate” All four judges gave them a “yes” and the duo was off to the next round.

As you might guess, professional regurgitator Stevie Starr swallowed a set of numbered coins and gave them back up in a specific order. With one coin left, Starr swallowed a light bulb — purportedly to help him bring up the last coin — then regurgitated the light bulb as well. For his finale, he swallowed a cup of sugar, followed by a cup of water and made both reappear one at a time. Mel B said she would bring her family to see Stevie’s show. Howie noted Starr left them all wanting more. Heidi declared it the best act of the night. Howard echoed the others’ comments, adding that he enjoyed the presentation as well. Starr got four “yeses” and a ticket to the next round.

Blind dancer Benjamin Yonattan, 14, lost his vision two years ago, but continued to pursue his passion. He performed a contemporary dance piece. Mel B called the young artist “unstoppable.” Mandel noted that someone with vision as a handicap, created “a beautiful image for everyone else.” Heidi noted that aside from his disability, Benjamin “has talent” and “deserves to be here.” Howard thought it was a “top- notch performance.” The verdict was a “yes” from all four judges and Yonattan moved on.

Shirley Claire, is an 87-year-old former showgirl. She wowed everyone with her feisty version of Frank Sinatra’s “I’m Gonna Live Till I Die.” Mel B declared Shirley’s personality “filled up the whole room.” Mandel noted the octogenarian was “witty and quick” and so much better than people a quarter of her age. Klum added “funny” and “elegant” to the list of superlatives, adding Claire was “an inspiration.” Shirley received four “yeses,” earning her a place in the next round.

Hostess by day, singer by night, Alicia Michilli knocked out the judges with her powerful rendition of Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind.” Stern noted Michilli channeled her “inner soul singer” and it was “beautiful.” Klum thought the singer sounded “really, really, really, really, really good.” Mel B thought the performance wasn’t “pitch-perfect from start to end,” but could feel Alicia’s soul.” Mandel agreed it wasn’t “perfection,” but still great. Michilli got a thumbs-up from all four judges and another chance at the big prize.

Comic magician Derek Hughes took a while to get to the magic, but when he did, it was impressive and gross. Hughes showed a deck of cards, from which Howard picked the ace of spades. After making the cards disappear, he pulled the deck from the zipper of his pants — minus Stern’s card. The magician then pulled down his pants to show the card stuffed in his butt. Mel B noted Derek was “funny, aggressive, naughty and dirty,” adding, “I like it.” Howie added “amazing” and “unique.” Heidi thought it was “awesome.” Howard declared Hughes “unforgettable.” The magician earned four “yeses” advancing him to the next round.

The final act of the evening, Freckled Sky was a pair of dancers who mixed dance, lighting and water to produce a breathtaking routine that drew a standing ovation from the crowd and three of the judges. Howard called it “spectacular.” None of the other judges needed to comment, because Stern pressed his golden buzzer, guaranteeing them a trip to the live shows.

Some acts that didn’t make the cut included Ronnie the Dancer who entertained the judges, but unfortunately got buzzed by three out of the four judges. Youngblood, a 24-year-old busboy, drank milk through his nose and squirted it out of his eyes. The judges were impressed and nauseated at the same time.

America’s Got Talent airs again next Tuesday at 8 p.m. Eastern time on NBC.

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