America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League premieres on New Years Day. The first group of 10 acts will perform for a chance to advance to the next round, and maybe even the Golden Buzzer which sends them straight through to the finale.
The new format has a couple of twists. Viewers at home picked the show’s 40 acts via online vote. Additionally, the judges–Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B.–each assembled a 10 person “dream team” of acts. The judges mentored their teams, hoping to bring an act to the finale and ultimately the win. The winner of AGT: Fantasy League nabs a $250K prize.
At the end of the episode host Terry Crews will reveal the five acts the audience voted through to the next round. During the episode Mel B. will choose her Golden Buzzer–an act from her team or a steal from one of her fellow judges.
AGT Fantasy League 2024 Premiere Lineup: Which 10 Acts Compete?
AGT: Fantasy League: Schedule and Format, Details to Know!
Kristy Sellars – Pole Dancer – Howie Mandel’s Team
Kristy, a multi-media pole dancer from Australia, came in second to the Mayyas during AGT season 17. Since competing on the show, she’s been performing her act everywhere. Losing the show was disappointing, she shares in her video package. Howie advises her to make sure and “connect with the audience.”
For her act, Kristy performs on a pole within a multimedia show playing behind her on a screen. She tells a story as she interacts with the technology around her. Aside from her athleticism, Kristy is a storyteller first and foremost. She climbs the pole like Spiderman, dropping into different worlds, escaping danger. At the end, she triumphs, holding up what looks like a red jewel. It’s a cross between Marvel and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Simon calls pole dancers “boring” except for her. “You do something completely different…the best one we’ve ever seen.” Mel says, “you took us on an intense journey.” Heidi makes fun of Howie, joking that he tried to take credit for what she accomplished on stage.
Jon Dorenbos – Magician – Mel B’s Team
Simon remarks that every judge wanted the former NFL player and magician on their team. Jon’s daughter is in the audience. Growing up, Jon faced tragedy–at 12 his father murdered his mother. He finished in 3rd place at the end of his season. But since then, he’s been touring the world as a keynote speaker. Mel suggests that for his AGT routine, he lean into fatherhood.
Jon does his magic at the judges table with a deck of cards that are sorted in order. He hands out cards to the judges. During the act, he describes how fatherhood taught him humility and to “surround himself with greatness.” Meanwhile, he finds specific cards after the judges shuffled them all up.
Simon reminds him that he’s more than talent. His personality makes his act. “You at your very best,” he says. Howie calls him “truly a champion.” Heidi is mad he’s not on her team. Mel calls him “incredible.” I found the act a little confusing? But his act is NOT about great magic. He uses the medium to deliver motivational speeches based on his life experiences.
Hans – Comedian – Mel B’s Team
Mel B. LOVES Hans. It’s no wonder he’s on her team! The Australian comic is basically a joke act, but he’s hilarious playing the “German superstar.” A dancer, singer and accordion player! Simon of course, hates him. Hans usually gets cut really fast. But he’s amusing! Heidi suggests that he throw sausages and pretzels. How very German of her. OK then!
Heidi nabbed Liberace’s original piano for tonight’s performance! Hans sings a Elton’s iconic “B—- is Back.” He jumps up after a few seconds at the keys to warble out of tune while dancing around the stage like the diva he is. Simon looks thrilled (not). Heidi eventually hands him a mini-accordion. He’s been funnier in the past, but tonight’s effort is still worthwhile.
Mel B says Hans “brings so much joy to the stage.” Simon says he can’t sing or dance. “This was very Heidi” he says drily. Hans snarks that Simon can’t sing or dance either.
Kseniya Simonova – Sand Artist – Howie Mandel’s Team
Kseniya won Ukraine’s Got Talent in 2009. Afterward she became internationally famous. Terry picked her as his Golden Buzzer. His first ever. She finished in 3rd place on AGT: Champions. The “sand artist” has 3 sons to whom she’ll dedicate her performance.
She weaves her unique art into emotional storytelling. This time it’s about the relationship between a mother and son. He’s an astronaut heading into space. He takes flight, but then returns. The story ends, with him returning, for real, as her real life son bursts onto stage costumed as an astronaut. Like last time, the artist knows how to pull at the heartstrings.
Heidi notes that she creates emotions with sand and is amazing. However, Mel B. was a “bit lost” at one point. “It just didn’t get me like you have before.” The crowd boos. Simon adds, “No one else in the world can do what you do.” Howie thinks she will move on. Mel has a point, it wasn’t her best outing. She relies a lot on her real-life son to deliver the emotional punch.
V. Unbeatable – Dance/Acrobatic Crew – Howie Mandel’s Team
Terry shares that the acrobats from India, were Howie’s first pick. NBC uploaded this clip to social media earlier today HERE. Fans were shocked that they left the competition in fourth place (Kodi Lee won). But then the group won Champion’s the following winter. Howie suggests that they need to take their act even farther by adding something even bigger than before.
And indeed, the group incorporates full blown scooters into the act. The group piles up on them, flies around on them, tumbles dangerously close as they glide across the screen. As if tossing dancers high into the air isn’t enough danger for the act.
Heidi calls them incredible. “You are the Unbeatable!” she gushes. Mel B notes the ONE female member of the group, shouting “Girl power!” Simon calls it a “step up” and the group “world class.”
Maria Seiren – Opera Singer – Mel B’s Team
Mel B chose Maria, much to Heidi’s chagrin. The singer won Japan’s Got Talent recently Maria sings opera with the ability to deliver credibly both female soprano and male tenor parts. AGT has featured acts like this before. Mel B. wants to dress her even more elaborately and suggests she sing “Nessun Dorma.” So original!
These male/female singers come off gimmicky, like a party trick. But as spectacle, it’s pretty good. Her outfit is gorgeous. She really excels while singing the male parts. In an interview, she shared that she was born male, but isn’t interested in discussing gender or sexuality.
Simon calls the act a “surprise.” He liked the song choice. Howie, unsurprisingly, doesn’t think the act is “great.”
Billy & Emily England – Danger Acrobats – Simon Cowell’s Team (Mel B’s Golden Buzzer/Steal)
Siblings Billy and Emily have been skating together since they were toddlers. They do acrobatic feats on skates. While Billy throws Emily around, her head comes DANGEROUSLY close to the ground. They are pretty great, but have never advanced past the semi-finals. However, for the past five years they have headlined a Vegas show. Both are VERY excited to be on Team Simon.
Billy immediately begins swinging Emily around SO close to the ground as he spins. He holds her above his head and twists her around. Really, she takes on ALL the danger. They finish the act performing with FLAMING KNIVES attached to their skates. Well, Emily’s skates. That does put Billy in some danger. They took it up a notch, for sure.
Simon believes “this is what the show is all about.” Howie calls it dangerous and a standout. Mel describes it as spectacular. She turns to Simon and says, “You really like this act, don’t you” before choosing them as her Golden Buzzer. Simon acts mad. I wonder how the duo feel about losing Simon’s mentorship? Emily admits that she REALLY wanted to be part of Mel’s team. She’s a Spice Girls fan. The upside, they go straight to the finals. “I got dumped in front of everyone,” Simon grouses, “And they aren’t even unhappy.”
Tape Face – Mime/Comedian – Mel B’s Team
Tape Face has made the most of his AGT exposure. He has a popular show in Vegas right now. In the past, the comic mime has incorporated both Howie and Mel into his silly act. Now Mel wants him to “get Simon.” Even backstage with Mel, Tape Face does not break character! Mel claims she designed his set.
He opens with a clever dancing puppet bit, before menacingly pointing to Simon, beckoning him to the stage. He blindfolds him. For no reason really! He performs a trick that doesn’t involve Simon at all. It leaves the judge thoroughly confused. It shouldn’t be funny, but it is. He reminds me of the absurdist humor of a young Steve Martin.
Mel calls it “so good.” Simon cracks, “I stood there. I didn’t sing. I felt like a Spice Girl.” Time for Mel to throw a cup of water on her nemesis. Mel is sure she got Simon good. He teases, “Unfortunately, Mel won’t be joining us for the rest of the season.”
Shadow Ace – Shadow Puppets – Howie Mandel’s Team
Howie notes that Shadow Ace got a quarter of a billion views on his videos when he appeared on the show last summer. But he didn’t win. Philip Galit learned his shadow puppetry growing up poor in the Philippines without electricity. When he lost the show, he became depressed. But fans back home raised his spirits. Howie thinks Philip didn’t trust himself enough last time.
He invites Howie on stage to help. He uses Howie’s bald head as a drum as his fingers dance to “Baby’s Got Back” and “Hot in Herre.” Terry is delighted when the music switches to his favorite. “A Thousand Miles.” The routine ends on a sweet note. The head prop didn’t always work, but when it did it was funny.
Simon calls the act “genius” and appealing to all ages. Mel could not stop laughing as Shadow Ace “bashed” Howie’s head.
Kodi Lee – Singer – Simon Cowell’s Team
Kodi is a former winner who has been performing with the official AGT Vegas residency at the Luxor Hotel. The blind and autistic artist taught himself music at a young age. According to his devoted mother, Kodi learns new pieces quickly. In his season, Gabrielle Union chose him as her Golden Buzzer. This time he’s on Simon’s “dream team.” Kodi is known for his covers, but will sing an original tune he composed himself. Simon advises him to have confidence.
Right before he begins singing, Simon gives him an onstage pep talk. The song is reminiscent of pop groups like Imagine Dragons, whose songs are driven by a marching backbeat. The lyrics are about bringing sensitivity, positivity and compassion to the world. But the sound is fierce and passionate and surprisingly not sappy.
Mel says she would use a buzzer if she still had one. Heidi loves the new vibe. Howie would like to steal him too. Simon is impressed with his songwriting and his ability to surprise. He calls Kodi a great artist and person.
RESULTS
Terry announces the FIVE acts the audience voted through to the semi-finals. In no particular order, the first act moving on is…V. Unbeatable! The next act advancing is…Kodi Lee! The third act advancing to the semi-finals is…Shadow Ace. The next act staying in the competition is…Kseniya Simonova. The last act moving on is Kristy Sellers.
Advancing to the Finale via Golden Buzzer
Billy and Emily England – Mel’s Golden Buzzer stolen from Team Simon (They advance straight to the finals).
Advancing to the semi-finals via audience vote
V. Unbeatable – Team Howie
Kodi Lee – Team Simon
Shadow Ace – Team Howie
Kseniya Simonova – Team Howie
Kristy Sellers – Team Howie
Eliminated
Hans – Team Heidi
Jon Dorenbos – Team Mel B.
Maria Seiren – Team Mel B
Tape Face – Team Mel B
Mel B. may have nabbed Simon’s popular act, Billy and Emily England via her Golden Buzzer. But she LOST three of her ten acts tonight, while Howie had a bunch of acts compete and move on. Notably, Simon and Heidi only had two and one acts compete tonight, respectively.
