Heidi Klum was the only one of the four judges on “America’ Got Talent” yet to hit the Golden Buzzer and send an act straight through to the live show. She was finally inspired to do so on the July 11 episode when she heard Angelina Green sing. This 13-year-old broke our hearts with as she told the panel of being abandoned by her father and supported by her mother who was watching in the wings. She then did a powerful version of The Pretenders‘ classic “I’ll Stand By You.” (Watch her performance above.)
After hearing the other three judges praise Green, Klum decided that she deserved the Golden Buzzer. As she explained, “I really, really love what you did. To me you feel like there’s an old soul in that young body.” And with that she hit the button that sent Green straight to the live shows.
Over the course of the first four audition episodes, Mel B, Simon Cowell and Howie Mandel each hit the Golden Buzzer as did new host Tyra Banks.
During the premiere episode on May 30, Mel B was won over by Darci Lynne Farmer, a winsome pre-teen from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Farmer, 12, looked like a seasoned pro as she sang a duet of “Summertime” with her puppet Petunia. Indeed, she is the frontrunner to win season 11. Watch Farmer’s audition video.
We saw the curmudgeonly Cowell crack when deaf singer Mandy Harvey performed on the June 6 episode. The 29-year-old singer-songwriter from St. Cloud, Florida performed a heartfelt rendition of her original tune “Try.” Watch Harvey’s audition video.
Mandel was next to press the Golden Buzzer when Christian Guardino came before the panel on June 13 and told his story. Blind since almost birth, he regained his sight four years ago and now, at 16, he is ready to show the world that he can sing. This native of Patchogue, New York dazzled with “Who’s Lovin’ You. Watch Guardino’s audition video.
Banks may be new to hosting the show but she looked like an old pro when she sent Light Balance through on June 20. She was impressed with this dance group from the Ukraine, which made their audition stand out by the use of neon lights attached to their costumes. Watch Light Balance’s audition video.
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