Simon's Most Memorable Auditions from 'America's Got Talent'
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America’s Got Talent took a break from season 18 auditions tonight with a special episode in which judge Simon Cowell and host Terry Crews looked back at the 16 auditions that Simon felt were the most memorable auditions in America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent history.
The following is the rank order—and remember—memorable doesn’t necessarily mean the best. It just means that Simon couldn’t forget it!
No. 16: Ickikawa: A Britain’s Got Talent novelty act. Not good.
No. 15: Chapel Hart: The country trio—sisters Danica and Devynn Hart and cousin Trea Swindle—won over the judges with their talent, energy, and joy, and as a result won a group Golden Buzzer for their performance of “You Can Have Him Jolene,” which was an answer to Dolly Parton’s 1974 hit “Jolene.”
Related: Exclusive: Why Golden Buzzer Winners Chapel Hart Initially Said No to America’s Got Talent
No. 14: Tape Face: The talented mime doesn’t talk much, but he did email with Parade, explaining he believes silence is golden—and funny. See the story below.
Related: America's Got Talent Finalist Tape Face Breaks His Silence for Parade
No. 13: Calum Scott: A Britain’s Got Talent singer.
No. 12: Avery Dixon: Terry Crews’ Golden Buzzer, a saxophone player.
Related: Listen to the America's Got Talent Performer Simon Cowell Compared to Carrie Underwood
No. 11: Ashleigh & Pudsey: Ashleigh and her talented pup won Britain’s Got Talent, cementing their status as Simon’s favorite dog act.
No. 10: Ben Lapidus: The singer/songwriter of Parmesan Cheese, possibly the “cheesiest” audition ever. Ben had four X’s, which would normally get him thrown off stage, but somehow the audience chanting “parmesan” made Heidi Klum say, “maybe we have to hear it again.” Simon was the first one to take the X away, giving Ben his first yes. Then Heidi changed her vote. Howie Mandel stuck with his no, but the audience convinced Sofia Vergara to give Ben his third yes.
No. 9: Sacred Riana: Simon calls the magician “the scariest, weirdest act,” which is why it made his most memorable list.
No. 8: Drake Milligan: The country singer had previously played Elvis Presley in the CMT series Sun Records, so the judges were happily surprised when Drake came out with his band and played an original song.
No. 7: Zucaroah: This acrobatic dance troupe earned Tyra Banks’ Golden Buzzer in 2018.
No. 6: Shin Lim: Up until Shin Lim, who won both America’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent: Champions, Simon said he hadn’t enjoyed card magicians. But Shin made a believer out of Simon and today has his own show in Las Vegas.
Related: America’s Got Talent Champion Shin Lim on Winners V. Unbeatable, His Las Vegas Residency & More
No. 5: Archie Williams: Archie caught the attention of America’s Got Talent viewers because he had spent 37 years in prison for a crime that he didn’t commit, and on his release, he wanted to follow up on the singing career he lost.
No. 4: Men with Pans: This novelty act is indescribable and has to be seen to be believed.
No. 3: Mayyas: Sofia's Golden Buzzer, a dance troupe unlike any the judges had seen previously.
No. 2: Musa Motha: A Britain’s Got Talent one-legged dancer.
No. 1: Susan Boyle: Simon had seen a lot of bad singers the same day that Susan Boyle auditioned, and when she walked on stage, he was sure he was going to be disappointed. Susan taught him you can’t judge a book by its cover.
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
