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Learn more- The Americas Got Talent audition process is taking a big step this week as the more than 100 acts to make it to the Las Vegas round will be whittled down to 48 finalists.
The contestants enjoyed the sites and sounds of Vegas and talked about how much theyd love to have a show there -- the grand prize (along with that $1 million) for the winner.
With the cameras rolling, Howie, Piers and Sharon pretended to debate which of the acts they preferred to see move forward. Finally, the contestants were brought into the theater as the judges appeared on stage.
They were on edge, knowing that in the past some contestants have been cut even before they performed in Vegas. The acts were separated into three groups as they sat in the theater. Howie told the acts seated in Group A that they were the judges favorites and theyd be performing that night.
Sharon then explained to the contestants in Group B that theyd have to wait until Group A performed to see if there were any spots still available in the final 48. There could be 10 spots, there could be two spots. Theyd just have to wait and see.
Piers then told Group C that they were the most difficult one to determine. He paused for effect, saying that their journey in Vegas ended that day -- because they were being put directly through to Hollywood.
The 10 acts with Hollywood passes were: From Chicago, The Belly Dancing Duo, Polina (the hula hooper) and the Strykers All-Stars; from Los Angeles, Cheer SF, Haspop and Future Funk; from Dallas, Architect and The Maniacs; and from New York, Fighting Gravity and the South Philly Vikings.
The remaining potential finalists were grouped into categories, and the first to perform for the final 38 Hollywood spots were the magicians.
Army pilot William Scott Anderson used a new box trick in Vegas while the other magicians watched from the wings. Sharon liked him, but Piers shook his head and Howie wanted to wait and see. Michael Grasso, who wowed the judges in the original audition with a big illusion, went back to old-school slight of hand. Murray SawChuck went big, with an illusion in which he snuck a sports car onto the stage. Magic satirist Chipps Cooney then went on and did his thing, which Piers still didnt understand.
A harmonica players group was established for the two harmonica players in the mix. Harmonica Pierre, who plays classical music on his harmonica, and Jia-Hi Ye, who played five of them at once. Sharon wasnt sure the competition needed even one harmonica act.
The next group was the acrobats. AscenDance, the rock climbing/dancing couple, impressed even the other acrobats who were watching backstage. Another acrobat duo, Michael and Ashley worked on a rope and had a technical error in which they got stuck on the rope for a moment. Rudy Macaggi, the man who stood on his head on a stack of wine glasses and a basketball, upped the ante in Vegas by introducing a partner and doing some contortions and balancing displays that left Howie astonished.
The danger category was up next. Twysted Trystan and Krystan raised the stakes when Krystan hammered a huge nail into Trystans tongue. The strong man took the judges outside to demonstrate his skills, and the Paul Bunyon Lumberjack Show did the same. Antonio Restibo said he came up with something bigger and better for Las Vegas. He came up with an illusion that was very similar to the one Michael Grasso did in his original audition, but that wasnt mentioned. Piers noticed a bit of a flaw in Antonios fire demonstration and he admitted the whole thing didnt go perfectly.
The classical singers were struggling with the dry Vegas air. Prince Poppycock wasnt feeling 100 percent, but went on with the show. Piers asked the singer if his illness effected his voice and Prince Poppycock got emotional when he talked about how badly he wanted to be well for the performance.
The flamboyant Hannibal came dressed in a wildly colored robe and a rooster that prompted Howie to ask, Is that a cock on your head? Hannibal confirmed it was, indeed, and the rooster symbolized a new dawn. He displayed his booming voice and left the stage. Carlos Aponte, the geeky wedding singer with a big operatic voice followed.
The dancing categories were up, and they started with the tappers. The Hot Shot Tap Dancers from the Portland audition, the family tapping group, went first and one of the brothers tripped, missed his step and it was obvious. They could only wait and watch the remaining dance groups. The final two dance groups were dueling street-style crews.
The female vocalist category turned into what seemed like a head-to-head between April Lane and Debra Romer. Mary Ellen took the stage and didnt want to leave. She started singing and got carried away, continuing for what Nick Cannon said was at least 10 minutes. Piers left the judges table, getting himself some tea.
The kids got their own category. Connor Doran impressed the judges again with his indoor kite skills. Still, 11-year-old rapper CJ Dipper didnt shy away from playing up the cockiness.
Comedian Doogie Horner did his best and thought it went well, or so he told Nick Cannon when he saw him backstage and said, It felt good, Nick Cannon.
The novelty acts were, well, novel. It was quite the mix, as latex-suited painter Maricar was joined by dog acts, a guy who catches marshmallows in his mouth after shooting them off mouse traps with an air gun of some kind. Hand whistler Sally Cohn gave her rendition of Over the Rainbow.
The male vocalists experienced some highs and lows while 18-year-old Taylor Matthews watched and waited for his turn. He gave his rendition of Tracks of My Tears. Michael Grimm, 30, went next and got so into his song that he went over his allotted 90 seconds. Piers reminded him that he could be disqualified for that.
The judges deliberated pretty quickly, it seemed, and decided who was heading to Hollywood.
In all, 27 of the contestants filled the 38 available spots, leaving 11 spots open for the standby contestants whose performances will be shown Wednesday night.
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