'AGT': Simon Cowell makes contestant cry, dubs 9-year-old opera singer 'biggest star'

Cydney Henderson, USA TODAY
·4 min read

Stakes are high on "America's Got Talent," but emotions are running higher.

The second group of 12 quarterfinalists – composed of singers, dancers, comedians, aerialists and a mentalist – hit the NBC talent competition stage on Tuesday for a shot to keep their million-dollar dream alive.

Only seven will advance. And the judges aren't making it easy for them.

"There is a lot of pressure this year. I see the pressure on the live shows. I saw you fall," Mandel said to the Shuffolution dance group, singling out one of its members, Donivan. Cowell quickly interjected, "That was the best part."

After Cowell's remark, Donivan lowered his head and started crying while his dance team consoled him. Of course, Cowell's follow-up comments weren't any better: "That was a huge step backward… It felt like something I’ve seen a million times. I’m really disappointed."

Round 1 of quarterfinals: 'AGT's first live show hits high note with singers, flops with 'bloody awful' comic Sethward

As if advancing to the semifinals wasn't already hard enough, the competition is stacked with two Golden Buzzer winners: Howie Mandel's Northwell Nurse Choir and the show's first-ever group Golden Buzzer, 9-year-old opera singer Victory Brinker.

The Northwell Nurse Choir, a group of 18 frontline nurses from the largest health care system in New York fighting against COVID-19, brought some of the judges to tears with their inspirational rendition of "You Will Be Found" from "Dear Evan Hansen."

"I feel so emotional," Mandel said, while Vergara added, "It was spectacular. It was making me cry but I was trying not to because I did 7 hours of makeup."

Brinker earned the only standing ovation of the night after "taking a risk" and switching her opera selection at the last minute. Cowell made a bold prediction: "You are going to be one of the biggest stars to emerge from this show."

Other singers didn't fare well.

Johnny Showcase, who previously won the judges over with a comedic song sketch during auditions, earned 2 red X’s from Cowell and Mandel this time around during his psychedelic performance about… kissing octopuses? (Scratches heads). Although Klum said she "loved it" and was "feeling the funk," the other judges said the act flat-out stunk.

"Absolutely horrific, honestly… The worst song I’ve ever heard on a live show," Cowell said. Vergara added, "I don't know what is happening tonight. Everyone is going crazy."

T.3 performed an upbeat version of Olivia Rodrigo's "good 4 u," but the trio made the mistake of ditching their a cappella roots for a "horrible" backing track, Simon said: "You could have had a fantastic moment with just the vocals… and I think you blew it."

'AGT' results show: Simon Cowell fights tears during Nightbirde's emotional return

Other 'AGT' highlights, low points:

  • Klum and Vergara were hot and bothered by Positive Impact Movement’s displays of strength during their shirtless acrobatic routine. Cowell was simply bothered: "It was a mess… I would call that no 'Magic Mike.'" (Vergara, who knows a thing or two as the wife of "Magic Mike" star Joe Manganiello, said their "bodies are great.")

  • Aerialist Aidan Bryant, who taught himself how to fly two years ago on YouTube after watching a Pink concert, won the judges over with his "death-defying stunts." Cowell called him the "one to beat", adding: "He could have broken his neck. this is so far the best live performance we’ve had by a mile."

  • Cowell called aspiring Broadway singer Tory Vagasy's performance of "Heart of Stone" from SIX, the musical, "great" but it appears Mandell's the one with a heart of stone. He said Vagasy doesn't stand a chance against the competition's other Broadway singer, Golden Buzzer Jimmie Herrod. (Herrod advanced to the semifinals last week.) "Don't let the Howie's of the world get you down," Vagasy fired back.

  • Comedian Josh Blue, who has Cerebral palsy, got a laugh from all the judges when he joked about everyone being just one step away from being disabled. "You are just one bad bike ride away, ain’t that right Simon," Blue said, referring to Cowell’s electric-bike accident that resulted in a broken back last year. Cowell replied with a smile, "You are very naughty, aren’t you?"

The second group of quarterfinalists were rounded up by Korean Soul, Dokteuk Crew and mentalist Peter Antoniou.

Now, 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" winner Kodi Lee debuts with H.E.R. (NBC, 8 EDT/PDT).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'AGT': Simon Cowell calls 9-year-old opera singer 'biggest star'