By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Nearly two decades after Kelly Clarkson first sang for Simon Cowell‘s approval, the American Idol winner found herself in his seat, temporarily replacing the injured judge on America’s Got Talent.
Tuesday’s episode of AGT marked the first live episode of Season 15, giving 11 quarterfinalists the opportunity to score America’s votes. But first, a bit of housekeeping…
“As some of you know, Simon had an accident over the weekend, and he can’t be there tonight,” host Terry Crews announced atop the two-hour broadcast. “We are sending lots of AGT love and our best wishes, and we hope to see you soon.”
The spotlight then shifted to Clarkson, who admitted, “I have waited years for this. I love Simon, but I’m getting real used to this chair, buddy. Take your time. I could use another job.” All kidding aside, she added, “I hope he feels better. I love him, so I didn’t mind stepping in for him.”
Read on for a breakdown of the 11 acts that performed on Tuesday, then weigh in with the five you hope make it to the semifinals:
PORK CHOP REVUE | After rolling out the red carpet for themselves, these so-called “diva” pigs pranced through an obstacle course to the tune of Gretchen Wilson’s “Here for the Party.” I want to be impressed by these nimble porkers, but I’m too busy worrying that they’ve already succumbed to the temptations of Hollywood. I also appreciated Howie Mandel’s shady assessment: “I think it’s amazing… because they’re pigs.” (Someone will be getting angry texts from Miss Piggy in the morning.) Click here to watch.
FENG E | Have you ever wondered what it would be like to drop acid and watch School of Rock? Well, wonder no more! This sickeningly talented kid served us a face-melting classic rock medley all the way from Taiwan. I didn’t think the world needed to find “the Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele,” but I’m so glad we did. Seriously, let’s watch this one again:
SHAQUIRA MCGRATH | This week’s first vocal performance gave Clarkson a chance to flex her judging muscles, and I appreciated her mostly positive assessment of McGrath’s take on Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most.” Then again, this isn’t Clarkson’s first time at the judging rodeo, given her multiple seasons on The Voice. And let’s not forget ABC’s short-lived competition series Duets. Let’s never forget. Click here to watch.
SIMON AND MARIA | These tiny dancers gave us another high-energy performance, this time cutting a rug at the “Mel’s Diner” set on the Universal Studios lot. It was fun. You know, in the way that Old Navy commercials are fun, Also, do we think these infants really cared that they got to see where Home Alone 2 was filmed? Were their parents even born when that talkie was first released in the cineplex? Click here to watch.
FRENCHIE BABYY | I hope Frenchie’s parents watched his eye-popping performance tonight and felt like absolute poop emojis for not supporting his obvious talent. Hearing that he and his sisters have been estranged since 2010 broke my quarantined heart. I’m hoping that Mandel’s prediction of Frenchie sailing through to the next round comes true. Click here to watch.
BELLO & ANNALIESE NOCK | Clarkson apparently wasn’t the only person filling in for an injured party this week. After hurting himself during rehearsal, Bello was forced to take a knee, leaving daughter Annaliese to perform a series of death-defying stunts — including walking blindfolded on a burning piece of machinery several stories above ground — using her brother as her counterweight. She pulled it off, of course, but the judges could barely watch without squirming out of their chairs. Why do people put themselves through this?! Click here to watch.
ROBERTA BATTAGLIA | With her viral performance of “Shallow” still fresh on the judges’ minds, expectations were high for Sofia Vergara’s Golden Buzzer selection. And the 10-year-old vocalist did not disappoint, delivering a jaw-dropping rendition of Lauren Daigle’s “You Say.” Clarkson pretty much summed it up with her first three words: “You. Are. Incredible.” Watch:
MICHAEL YO | Having recently welcomed two nieces into the world, I very much appreciated Yo’s musings on the uselessness of men in the delivery room. That said, he totally lost me when he veered off into a discussion about whether he’d die for his son or his wife. It was… a lot. Especially when you factor in Yo’s near-death experience with the coronavirus, a story that had me sobbing before he even took the stage. Click here to watch.
DOUBLE DRAGON | “Be ready for the fuego,” they warned us. But let’s be real, nothing could have prepared us for these singing sisters’ take on “Bang Bang.” The choreography. The vocals. The dramatic pivot to “Taki Taki.” In a word, it was everything. I’ve been obsessed with Double Dragon ever since they made it rain men at their first audition, and this follow-up performance — complete with sparkly cowgirl costumes! — only endeared them to me further. Click here to watch.
BRETT LOUDERMILK | This season’s primo sword swallower returned, this time imploring Vergara to shoot him with a crossbow. “Is this what I’m pushing?” she asked at one point, to which he replied, “Yes, the trigger.” If you weren’t already nervous, perhaps you were taken aback by the weapon’s apparent premature firing. “Is he dead?” Vergara asked. Fortunately, the answer was no. Click here to watch.
ARCHIE WILLIAMS | Having already won the award for the season’s saddest backstory — he spent decades in prison for a crime he didn’t commit — Williams returned to the AGT stage on Tuesday to continue fighting for his next victory. You could hear a pin drop as Williams treated the judges to a powerful private performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s in Need of Love Today.” Absolutely bone-chilling. Not a dry eye in the house. Click here to watch.
Which of these acts will you be rooting for when the results are revealed tomorrow? And how do you think Clarkson did on her first night as a judge? Grade her big debut below, then drop a comment with more of your thoughts.
I’m sad to say that I was mostly bored tonight. I think the outside the studio performances was part of the problem. There was no connection to at least the judges. Feng E was tremendous though.
During the auditions, it did seem like the talent was very good this year, but this show tonight? Yikes! There weren’t five acts I would put through among these eleven–maybe three: Roberta, Feng, and Archie.
Yeah,there will probably another show with better acts and one r two of those will not move on
First off they need to get rid of the virtual audience, it made it sound like we were in a tin can. Second, Kelly wasn’t as bad as I feared, she ruins The Voice but tonight she was calmer.
Here are my predictions for the results. They said five acts are going through so I am going to make the assumption that the top three are going through, 4,5, and 6. are then up for dunkin save and judges save, and 7-11 are going straight home with only the hopes of a wild card saving them.
I think it is the most safe to say that Archie will be in the top three easily. Honestly I would be shocked if he doesnt make the top five overall this season in the finale.
I also think Feng E will make top three though I dont personally care for him. Although his style his very different, I cant help but think of Grace Vanderwall when I see the ukelele and her perfromances were far more emotional and artistic.
There are a couple acts that could be the third going straight through but I am going to put my money on Roberta. Kid singers usually do pretty well.
Before I get to the middle three lets send a few acts straight home. Pork Chop Review, Simon and Maria, Frenchie Baby and Michael Yo would all need a miracle to make it to even the middle three.
That leaves four acts for the three “in danger” acts. Bello and Annaliese, Brett Loudermilk, Double Dragons, and Shaquira. Im going to say Brett misses the mark by a hairline and goes straight home leaving the other three up for elimination. The audience will then vote for Shaquira, and the judges will tie 2- 2 Howie and Hiedi choosing Bello and Bello will wind up going through sending double dragons home.
Here are my predictions for the results. They said five acts are going through so I am going to make the assumption that the top three are going through, 4,5, and 6. are then up for dunkin save and judges save, and 7-11 are going straight home with only the hopes of a wild card saving them.
I think it is the most safe to say that Archie will be in the top three easily. Honestly I would be shocked if he doesnt make the top five overall this season in the finale.
I also think Feng E will make top three though I dont personally care for him. Although his style his very different, I cant help but think of Grace Vanderwall when I see the ukelele and her perfromances were far more emotional and artistic.
There are a couple acts that could be the third going straight through but I am going to put my money on Roberta. Kid singers usually do pretty well.
Before I get to the middle three lets send a few acts straight home. Pork Chop Review, Simon and Maria, Frenchie Baby and Michael Yo would all need a miracle to make it to even the middle three.
That leaves four acts for the three “in danger” acts. Bello and Annaliese, Brett Loudermilk, Double Dragons, and Shaquira. Im going to say Brett misses the mark by a hairline and goes straight home leaving the other three up for elimination. The audience will then vote for Shaquira, and the judges will tie 2- 2 Howie and Hiedi choosing Bello and Bello will wind up going through sending double dragons home.
I like the show however I hate it when someone is performing and the camera shows a judge or audience member. We at home want to see the entire act.
I AGREE with you 100% !!! They WASTE WAY TOO MUCH TIME putting the camera on the Judges and Audience Members !!! We are watching AGT to see the TALENT !!! I hope that changes in the future !!! It’s very annoying !!!
Here is my prediction for the results (which start in 5 minutes for me):
Top Three: Archie Williams, Roberta Battaglia, Bello & Annaleise Nock
Archie mostly because of his story, Roberta mostly because of her original audition, Bello & Annaleise because they are an interesting danger act
Middle Three: Feng E, Double Dragon, Brett Loudermilk
All three delivered in my opinion and gave solid performances, so I would put them in the middle three.
Feng E will be voted by Dunkin Save because he is a child prodigy who is talented, he performed on a very nice stage, and he chose good songs for an American audience
In terms of Double Dragon and Brett, I believe that Howie will vote Brett (comedy), Sofia will vote Double Dragon (both speak spanish, also said that she wanted to do something with them after the show), Kelly will vote Double Dragon (she is a coach on a voice, loves when contestants sing in Spanish), and Heidi could vote either way.
If it is a tie, I think Brett will be voted through by the public but if it’s a majority then Double Dragon will be going through in my opinion.
Eliminated Immediately: Pork Chop Revue, Frenchie Baby, Michael Yo, Simon and Maria, Shaquira McGrath
Pork Chop Revue failed pretty badly this round, Frenchie Baby was boring (moves were very repetitive), Michael Yo wasn’t funny at all and was honestly kinda cringy (worst act of the night in my opinion because at least Pork Chop Revue was entertaining to an extent), Simon and Maria were not necessarily bad but I don’t think they will be backed by the American public, Shaquira also wasn’t bad but her performance was a little bit boring and wasn’t as good as her audition.