“America’s Got Talent” Recap: An 11-Year-Old Opera Singer Advances

Trae Patton/NBC(NEW YORK) — America’s Got Talent returned on Tuesday with more singers, dancers and acrobats.

Tuesday’s showcase included an 11-year-old opera singer and a performer who puts an African spin on pop hits.

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:

Kicking things off were The Gentlemen, a dance duo consisting of Rex, 12, and Cameron, 9. They combined break-dancing, hip-hop and “smooth moves” to wow the judges. Mel B noted it was “crazy,” adding they had “personality.” Howard declared they were “contenders.” Howie and Heidi both loved the routine as well. The boys got four “yeses” from the judges and move on to the next round.

Oz Pearlman gave up a steady Wall Street paycheck to become a mentalist and mind reader. He began his audition by asking Klum to think of a number, which he correctly guessed. Then he asked Mel to think of a vacation she took during her life. This time, he pulled an envelope from his pocket, which contained not only the correct location of the trip she was picturing – Fiji —  but her vacation partner too. Stern thought the trick was “well executed.” Mel said she would watch Oz’s act “again and again.” Heidi demanded, “I want more, I want more, I want more of Oz.” Pearlman earned “yeses” from all four judges and advances to the next round.

Next up, singer Brittney Allen accompanied herself on the piano as she performed The Call’s “Wherever You Will Go.” Nerves, however, got the better of her and she stumbled a couple of times during the audition. Howie called Brittney “amazingly talented” and praised her for not giving up. Mel B noted Allen was “likeable” and “had something special.” Heidi noticed a few “hiccups” in the performance, but thought she deserved another chance. Howard also thought Brittney was likeable, but didn’t think she measured up to the other singers. Stern voted “no,” but the other three judges said “yes,” giving Allen another chance to show what she has.

The salsa dance troupe Semineya added acrobatics to their routine, and a little drama to the show when one member brought the routine to a halt when he suffered a severe knee injury that landed him in the hospital. However, two members of the group pulled out a different routine on the spot and wowed the judges. Mel B called the act “as professional as it gets.” Klum praised the dancers for believing, “The show must go on.” Stern noted “something was born out of this tragedy.” All four judges voted “yes” to send them to the next round.

Arielle Baril, 11, is a Pennsylvania native whose mature voice on the operatic song “O Mio Babbino” shocked and amazed the judges. Heidi couldn’t believe that voice came out of Ariel’s mouth. Mel B noted it was a special moment. Howard called it “freaky.” Howie declared he wanted to see a lot more of her. There was no need for a vote, because Klum pressed her golden buzzer, guaranteeing the singer a trip to the live shows.

Former real estate agent-turned-stuntman Shel Higgens, aka “The Grandpa Show,” performed a death-defying stunt for the first time ever in front of the judges. He hand-walked over a running chainsaw, then held an apple in his mouth and cut it with the saw, while blindfolded. Howard noted that it was either the ”stupidest” thing he ever saw or the most “brilliant.” Hedi felt like Higgens was “taking it a little too far.” Mel said she “didn’t feel the danger,” shocking Howie. Shel got “yeses” from all the judges, including a reluctant Heidi Klum, and moved on to the next round.

Oleksiy Mognlynyy, 34, performed a hand-balancing act with the aid of a headless mannequin. Howard called it strange, but noted that Mognlynyy took an act they’d seen many times before and developed it into something new. Heidi praised Oleksiy for being an amazing athlete. Mel B didn’t quite get the act but liked it anyway, noting it was seamless. Oleksiy got three “yeses” and advances to the next round.

Singer Alex Boyé and his band performed an Africanized version of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” that featured some lively dancing as well. Mandel called it his “favorite music act ever.” Mel B noted Alex filled the room with his “excited energy.”  Klum called the performance “contagious.” Stern declared he’d never seen anything like it. Boyé got a unanimous “yes” from every one of the judges to move on to the next round.

Some acts didn’t fare as well, including Byrdie Sue, who literally whistles while she works – she owns a pool cleaning service and hones her talents while she cleans the pools. Stern thought her performance was so bizarre, it was entertainment. The other judges, however, didn’t think it was a million-dollar act and voted “no” to advancing her to the next round.

Danny and Syum were a “hot mess,” according to Heidi, who, along with Stern and Mandel, pressed their buzzers. The only positive review came from Mel B, who liked the music.

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

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