“America’s Got Talent” (AGT) season 18 returned from a brief 4th of July hiatus to more original talent acts that genuinely had the judges surprised.  There were unique dance acts, singers, musicians, and a danger act that had everyone scared!  After arealist Aidan Bryant won “AGT: ALL STARS” there has been an increasing amount of aerial acts trying out for AGT this season.  

Opposite from last year’s Chapel Hart, sisters duo Country singers act were very disappointed to hear all “no” votes from the judges.  There were puppets who had their own Simon Cowell, and a very creative magician who used his quirkiness to add entertainment to his audition.

The episode ended with Heidi using her Golden Buzzer on a very talented and deserving singer who brought tears to people’s eyes. Heidi told her she would hold her hand all the way to the finish line.

MARIANDREA (Dancer)

Pictured: Mariandrea — Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC

Mariandrea is 14 years old from Mexico.  She gave an amazing performance dancing contemporary so well that she could be on “So You Think You Can Dance.”  Sofia reacted “that was spectacular..you were dancing and acting at the same time.” Heidi said she looked like a good girl then all of a sudden, she’s possessed!  She said she holds her own to their grown-up dancers.  Simon said Mariandrea has a real presence about her and she’s unbelievably talented, “This is what you’re made to be doing” Howie said it was like magic watching her.  She owns the stage, the show…  Mariandrea got all four “yes” votes from the judges.

82ND AIRBORNE CHORUS (Singing Group)

They were there to dedicate their performance to one of their soldiers whom they lost, along with all the other soldiers who passed before them.  Simon said that was “very respectful.”  They sang “My Girl” by the Temptations and got a standing ovation. 

Howie reacted “that was beautiful” and he loved the song choice and sound.  Heidi also loved them and was impressed by the harmonizing.  Soifa said it was “very different” from what they see there.  Simon said his favorite thing is seeing someone doing something other than what they normally do. He called it a wonderful tribute and their audience absolutely loved them.  It was all “yes” votes from the judges.

ARTEM SHCHUKIN (Magician)

Artem is a magician who told the judges the story of how when he first did magic at age nine, it wasn’t good. But, hopefully, now it’s good.  He did some fun physical card tricks to the beat of the Addams Family theme song.  He also looked like Fester from that show.  His tricks were very entertaining and got a roaring applause from the audience.  Simon called it “magical, weird, hilarious. It’s an absolute ‘yes.’  All the judges agree with “yes” votes for Artem.

MOS (Horn Players)

MOS is a girl band from Japan and it was their first time in the United States.  So far they love the American cheese burgers they told the judges!  They played horn brass instruments to the song “Bang, Bang” to choreographed moves.  Howie said he likes the sound of brass instruments, and they did it in such an original way.  It was surprising. Sofia called it “magical” to see them transform and it was great.  

Heidi said it’s fun to see an all girl group playing instruments that they normally don’t see play.  Simon said never in his wildest dreams to see a girl group play that song with those instruments.  It’s unique and he didn’t think it sounded great the whole time.  “However, when it did sound great, it was amazing.” He said they were so cool, and he “loved it.”  They got four “yes” votes from the judges.

Simon said they are hearing and seeing things that they’ve never heard before.  Howie agreed and was surprised for it being season 18!

DANCERS Included: “40 Pounds” whose choreography included dance moves with his hat.  He got all four “yes” votes.  “Let It Happen” was a group of three young girls who also danced.  “The Zoo” was a big group of male dancers who were hoping to get their own dance studio.  They were street/breakers/hip-hop dancers.  Simon said “no”..then “kidding!” They got four “yes” votes. 

OSWALDO COLINA (Finger Puppet)

Oswaldo, who came with a translator, said music and dance can be expressed any way as long as it’s from the heart. He said Simon told him “no” in London.  So, he’s back for revenge.  He put on a Salsa dance shoe using his fingers dressed up as a puppet.  He got three buzzer “X’s” from every judge except Sofia.

Howie said “there’s something I didn’t like about it, but I can’t put a finger on it.”  Sofia said it was “so bad, and so good.”  Heidi said it was very cute. But it’s not a million dollar act.  Simon said, “you flew all the way here to do THAT?”  It was a “no from everyone except for Sofia who voted “yes.” 

TRENT TONEY (Singer)

Trent is a firefighter.  He said he used to be married.  Sofia asked if he “did something bad?”  Heidi asked if he wanted her back. He said yes, like yesterday and said he’s singing a song about her.  Then the audience started chanting, “call her, call her!”  Heidi said “let’s call her.”  Heidi got his ex, named Faith, on a Facetime call to watch Trent’s performance from the judges’ table.  

Trent performed the song that he wrote about Faith, called “Always and Lately.”  Trent sang while playing a keyboard, and sounded really good, like something on the radio.  He got a standing ovation from everyone including the judges.  Heidi told Trent that he sounded amazing and he’s so handsome, and has a beautiful voice.

Sofia called it “heartfelt” and the perfect audition. Simon said it was “very brave.  To tell us all of that. I mean I wouldn’t.”  Simon predicted that people are going to like Trent. This is one of those auditions that people are going to talk about.  Howie said this was an audition that meant a lot, and it was absolutely beautiful.  Trent got all “yes” votes.  Heidi got on stage and told Trent that if it works out and he has a girl (baby) to name her Heidi.

THE COWBELLS (Singing Puppets)

Pictured: Puppet Simon & the Cow Belles — Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC

The Cowbells is a group of four puppets who were joined by a Simon Cowell puppet.  The puppets sang in an old fashioned style.   Sofia buzzed them at the beginning of their audition.  The Simon puppet told the other puppets to “stop,” and said “I didn’t like it.”  The Simon puppet said, “I don’t want to be rude, but that whole audition was really dreadful.”  Then the puppets sang “Somebody to Love” by Queen.   

Sofia said she pushed her buzzer before Simon appeared on the stage. She said she doesn’t know if it’s an act that belongs on AGT.  The puppet said he’s been doing it for a lot longer than her.  Sofia responded “yes, because you’re a lot older.” The Simon puppet told her she’s “fired.”  

Then the real Simon reacted, I’m not a huge fan of these types of acts. But, I thought that was funny. Heidi and Howie said they felt like they were in a weird dream.  Howie called them “wonderful” and really good singers who are witty and funny.  He’s proud that they are part of AGT season 18.  Sofia voted “no.”  Simon voted “yes.”  Heidi and Howie both voted “yes.”

DUO DESIRE (Aerial Gymnastics)

Dennis and Jilliana dream to perform in AGT Live in Las Vegas at the Luxor.  They are an aerial act who met in Dennis’ aerial class. They are husband and wife who married one year after meeting.  After their performance, the crowd was roaring!

Sofia called it amazing, spectacular and wants to see more. Howie said for himself, who is very jaded, “that’s one of the most impressive things I’ve seen in a long time.” Heidi said it had moments that they have not seen before on the stage, “incredible.”  Simon asked if that was something that they created for them. They said “yes,” and they wanted to scare them a little bit.  Simon said it paid off and gave them their first “yes” vote, followed by other judge’s yes votes.  

PRESLEY & TAYLOR (Singers)

Pictured: Presley & Taylor — Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC

Presley and Taylor are Italian sisters, two years apart (25 and 23), who sing Country music.  They have been pursuing music in Nashville.  They said it’s a “hard cookie to break into.”  They told Simon that they were taught to never give up and they write their own music.  Their audition song was one that they wrote.  They sounded a lot like Wilson Phillips.  But, a toned down version.

Heidi reacted that they look good and sound great but didn’t make her jump out of her seat.  Howie said when he watched, it felt like a bar show.  It was “entertaining but not exciting.”  Sofia said they look like they’re having fun but “it wasn’t great..not an AGT wow.” Simon said when an act like this works, you feel it right away.  He didn’t feel it. “It was polite, and polite isn’t great.”  It was all “no” votes from the judges.

ANDREW STANTON (Danger Act)

Pictured: Andrew Stanton — Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC

Andrew started his audition by sword swallowing a huge sword, then attaching a sand bag to it and threw that sand bag to dislodge the sword.  The judges and audience were reeling!  Then he spun himself in mid air on top of an arrow head. 

After Andrew was done, Howie reacted, “It’s amazing,  It’s crazy, it’s dangerous, it’s wrong.”  He added, “you should change your name to shish kabob.”  Sofia said she had “mixed feelings.” It’s very disturbing and fun at the same time.  Simon said we’ve seen this kind of act before.  But compared to this, “it’s tame in my opinion.”  Heidi said she wanted to say no but she had to say yes.  It was all “yes” votes from the judges and a standing ovation from the audience. 

LAVENDER DARCANGELO (Singer)

She sang in her sixth grade talent show.  Lavender came on stage with her dad.  She said she’s been singing since she was four.  She told the judges that she’s autistic and blind.  Her dad Will started an after school program.  When Lavender asked him to adopt her, he did about a year after she moved in with him and his husband. 

Lavender sang an original song and tugged at the heart strings of everyone.  She got a standing ovation from the judges and audience.  Simon reacted “THAT was sensational.  Everything about that was magical.”   He said “we make the show because we get to meet people like you occasionally.” Simon finished with, that was an audition that I will never forget.

Sofia called it “beautiful and she was enjoying her voice.  Howie said she gives everyone hope that they can pursue their dreams if they just go for it.

Lavender said AGT is her favorite show, and “I’m not just normal.” Simon said he speaks for everyone that she’s …..

Heidi said she’d like to be her cheerleader and hold her hand every step of the way, and gave Lavender her Golden Buzzer.

Pictured: (l-r) Terry Crews, Heidi Klum, Lavender Darcangelo — Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC

Heidi ran on stage to hug her.  She told her she’s going to hold her hand all the way to the Finish line.  Lavender reacted that she doesn’t know if this is a dream or awake!  

“America’s Got Talent” airs Tuesdays at 8 pm PT on NBC.