'AGT': Simon Cowell calls self-taught aerialist who learned from YouTube 'the one to beat'

"America's Got Talent" semifinals are here.

The first group of 11 semifinalists hit the stage Tuesday – all vying for the chance to win "the toughest competition in the world," host Terry Crews said. "Buckle up people. The acts are now just one performance away from making the finals."

And to make things even tougher, another wildcard is in play. The judges brought back the high-energy Beyond Belief Dance Company, which was eliminated during the quarterfinals. A dance group has never won "AGT" before.

"I was so happy when you came back because you deserve to be here," Heidi Klum said after the girl's fun-filled routine to Meghan Trainor's "Me Too," which featured their signature sass, TikTok trends and Heelys.

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Tonight's show also saw Aidan Bryant emerge as a frontrunner. Cowell called the 16-year-old "the one to beat" leading into Tuesday’s performance and the self-taught aerialist didn’t disappoint with his fiery routine. He received a standing ovation from the judges and studio audience.

"I cannot even talk because they are going crazy for you," Sofía Vergara said as the crowd continued its rowdy applause. "I was on my feet because how could you not. You're 16 years old, self-taught and no safety net… this was a gold level performance."

World Taekwondo Demonstration Team may have missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to COVID-19, but Crews' Golden Buzzer winners delivered another champion-caliber act, featuring "dancers, athletes, acrobats and entertainers."

"This was the best act of the night," Howie Mandel said. Cowell added it was “the best performance you’ve given,” while Vergara compared them to "synchronized ants working hard." (That was a compliment, she clarified.)

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The first field of semifinalists was dominated by singers – five to be exact – including Vergara's Golden Buzzer winner Jimmie Herrod, who the judges agree is the "best singer in this competition."

He earned a standing ovation following his breathtaking performance on Pink’s “Glitter in the Air." Klum said, "I know we were all waiting for Kanye’s album ('Donda') to drop but I am waiting for your album to drop."

Cowell said he put on a "masterclass," but Herrod is still looking out for his competitors: "The competition is much tougher now… man that kid can sing."

He's referring to 10-year-old Peter Rosalita, who performed a rendition of Mariah Carey’s "I Can't Live Without You” after a rocky start. Rosalita asked for his backing track to start over after he missed his mark. "Can you repeat, please? Sorry guys," he said.

Mandel said the hiccup "wasn't your fault. The crowd was screaming. You couldn’t hear the music and you did better than 10 times someone your age." The judges applauded Rosalita's perseverance with a standing ovation.

"The fact that you knew you missed the intro and you took control on a live show… and then you delivered that amazing vocal," Cowell said. "I got all emotional."

Tory Vagasy sang Elton John's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from Disney's "The Lion King" but the aspiring Broadway singer wasn't feeling the love from some of the judges.

Cowell called Vagasy's performance "too safe" and Mandel took it a step further: "You are a great talent on the wrong show. Our show is about variety, but I didn’t see the variety."

Mandel was also harsh on Madilyn Bailey. He said her emotional performance of a song dedicated to her late grandmother "was nothing." Cowell hit back: "Am I allowed to saw ass on American television? Because Howie you are talking out of it."

"Do not listen to a single world Howie Mandel says," he added.

Korean Soul opted for Lauren Daigle’s “You Say” after Cowell suggested their song selection was too “predictable" last week. Tonight, Cowell said their "song choice was a million, billion times better," but still, they "sounded out of tune."

The first group of semifinalists were rounded out by Dustin Tavella (magician); Michael Winslow (voicetramentalist); and Gina Brillon (comedian).

It's up to America to vote for who moves on.

Fans can vote up to 10 times for each act on NBC.com/AGTvote and the "America's Got Talent" app. The seven acts advancing to the semifinals will be revealed during Wednesday's results show, which will include guest performances from "AGT" star comedian Preacher Lawson (NBC, 8 EDT/PDT).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'America's Got Talent': Teen aerialist Aidan Bryant 'the one to beat'