America’s Got Talent 2018 Recap Live Semifinal 2 Performance Videos

The winning act will receive 1 million dollars and will headline their very own show in Las Vegas. Only FIVE acts will advance by the end of tomorrow’s results show.  

VOTE for your favorite act via NBC. com, XFinity X1 Voice command, or the AGT Phone app! Click HERE for all voting methods and numbers for each contestant. 

Christina Wells – Singer – The pre-package video features Christina gazing into a mirror. Her AGT experience has taught her that she’s beautiful inside and out! It’s overly sentimental and cloying. Also, performing first doesn’t bode well for her chances in the competition. She’s obviously not a favorite. Christina belts out a rudimentary version of Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman.” She’s super growly tonight. Yikes. She’s pushing her voice too hard–she whiffs a couple of notes and is flat throughout. That was unpleasant. Heidi is standing for her, though. “You are an amazing woman,” says Howie. “There was a couple of note there…you pushed a  little hard and hit a couple of weird notes.” Christina seems to be aware of that.  Mel advises her to look after her voice. Heidi says she’s got moxie. Simon felt the song was over-orchestrated and yes, she hit some bum notes. He hopes America puts her through anyway. Tara calls her a “gorgeous beautiful woman.”  So many singers tonight–she’s done.

Da Republik – This group barely got through the Quarterfinals. At the time, I was surprised the judges chose them over Front Pictures. Well they are here, and performing second. So don’t expect them to advance. Gotta have some canon fodder, I suppose. Their video package features the group gathering on a hillside…to stare at the sun, or something. No mention of their dramatic backstory either (They are from poor families in the Dominican Republic). There’s a ton happening onstage, none of it very interesting. Simon buzzes them. Mean. You put them though because you liked their personalities. What were you expecting? They’ve been mediocre since day one. Simon hated the routine. He felt it sucked out their personality. He predicts they won’t make it to the final. Mel appreciates their tricks and jumps. She felt they were a little under rehearsed. Heidi loved them. “I never get tired of you…spectacular.” Howie felt there were some mistakes. And that perhaps the first two acts are allowing the pressure get to them. 

Noah Guthrie – Singer/Songwriter, Glee star – In his video package, he talks about making correct choices as he gazes down an empty highway. Oh, this is about making song choices–Simon and Howie have both criticized his song choices at times. Noah is confident that tonight’s song will impress everyone! He sings an odd, bluesy flip of “I Will Always Love You.” The electric guitar parts are very Elvis. It’s a rough vocal–like he’s been rehearsing too much. People are either going to hate or love this arrangement. He’s taking a risk. Gotta give him props for that.  Howie gives him a standing ovation. Heidi says she loves the way he stripped down the song. “You really sang with a lot of heart.” Simon thought the song choice was a really smart idea in principle. However, he calls the first half  of the performance “horrible” and the second half better. “I genuinely don’t know if you made the right decision.” Heidi calls Simon “grumpy.” Howie says, “I think you made absolutely the right decision. So far the best of the evening.” Mel B calls his voice. “Soulful, rich and powerful” but didn’t care for his take on the song. “I’m 50 50.”  My prediction? Viewers won’t like that he messed with an iconic song.

Daniel Emmett – Opera Singer – Daniel remembers how Simon made him sing another song song during his audition. Then he was a Judge Cut wildcard. THEN he was a Dunkin Save. He’s a fighter damn it! If he goes home this week DRAMATIC PAUSE He’ll know he did everything he could. He performs “Somewhere” from the Broadway musical West Side Story. It’s nice, but nothing spectacular. Such an emotional song–when it’s sung well, I get goosebumps. I wasn’t feeling that rendition at all. Heidi is on her feet.  Simon said only the last 20 seconds were magic. But, he respects the way he fights. Mel wishes he would have sung something operatic. “The performance wasn’t up to par for me,” she says. Heidi loved it. “For me, this was the best performance of the night.” Howie calls it “musical theater” like it’s a bad thing. “I didn’t love it.”

Angel City Chorale – Choir – The director reads letters they received since their TV debut. Oh man. They’re singing “The Rising.” Considering it’s September 11? INSTANT ADVANCE TO THE NEXT ROUND. They’re dressed in white and holding white lights. Even my cold cold cynical heart can’t bring forth the snark tonight. It’s not a great rendition of the song, but the sincerity and grandeur, I suspect, will not be denied. Howie loves what they’re about. “That was just so beautiful, from start to end,” says Mel. The director mentions 9/11 and says the song is dedicated to all the first responders. Mel and Howie seem unfamiliar with the song.  Simon mentions the anniversary, though. He calls the group “optimistic and positive,” also “One of the best choirs we’ve had on the show.” 

Aaron Crowe – Magician –  Aaron fondles his knives as he contemplates which of the judges he plans to target. All of them! Welp. It’s Howie back in the hot seat. Unfortunately, this trick is very similar to the last time.  He’s taking forever to get to the point. Howie is in a box, and the judges pick numbers which determine which box will be smashed to smithereens by an anvil. Simon changes his mind at the last minute trying to trick him up. I guess the point is that no matter which numbers the judges pick it will never be Howie?  Eh. This is SO anti-climatic. Aaron’s audition was awesome, but it’s been downhill ever since. Simon says he’s “slightly disappointed at the ending!” He’s joking. Simon calls Aaron a “great entertainer.” Mel “really enjoyed it.” Heidi says there’s a “big black cloud over your head of danger and suspense…and I love it.” 

Vicki Barbolak – Comic – So this “Trailer Nasty” shtick has become a thing. Unfortunately. Her video clip featured a few AGT rejects, which is nice. Jokes about lecherous Italian men. Because you know, Italian men are lecherous.  Hm. Vicki is bombing a little, until the routine picks up some steam by the end. She directs a wino joke at Mel. EEP. Vicki doesn’t read celebrity gossip. Or maybe she does. Alcohol jokes are always lame. The panel loves her. Mel says she brings “an instant smile to my face.” Howie calls her a “true comedian.” He tells her to “clear your calendar for the final.”  Heidi is babbling about…something. “I have a crush on you,” says Simon. He wants to take her for a “grand slam at Dinnys? Dennys?” So cute, pretending he doesn’t know what Denny’s is. 

We Three – Family Band – The trio talk about how much their songwriting means to them.  Tonight, they are singing a brand new song. The lead guitarist also plays trumpet. He’s working loop pedals, too. The song is called “Make Up” and I bet you can guess what it’s about. It’s the “you’re beautiful just the way you are” cliche. Eh. Not very original. This song sounds like Train circa 2008. Oh. Simon didn’t like the song. “I thought it was a mess…I thought it was all over the place.” I agree with Simon. Really mediocre song. Howie didn’t think it popped. “People weren’t tapping their feet.” Mel thinks Howie and Simon are harsh. “I love your songwriting. I’m glad that you switched direction.” Heidi knows they are great musicians, but feels their vocals were off tonight. 

Glennis Grace – Singer – Glennis shares how hard it is to be away from her young son. “I want to make it to the finals for him,” she says. She performs “Woman’s Work” by Kate Bush. Her vocals are strong and perfect. Smart not to cover a big voiced diva, where she tends to sound karaoke. She can hit her big notes while seeming somewhat original. There’s no denying those steel pipes. However, vocal showboating comes at the expense of connection. She’s a shoe-in though. Mel gushes, “YES YES YES.” She call it perfect. “Every moment with you is a special moment. You need to be at the finale,” says Heidi. “This was the best performance of the night so far,” says Simon. “It was very emotional, classy.” Howie calls it “perfection.” and “you are the first person who brought it home.” Glennis says her voice comes from “my soul.”

Brian King Joseph – Violinist – Brian talks about his debilitating neuropathy and says he “can’t give up.” As he plays, Brian descends from a platform and performs a very energetic number. His positive, sunny personality combined with his musical chops will get him into the final, I have no doubt. “I love you Brian King,” says Heidi. “This was in such a different league to everything else tonight,” says Simon. “This is witnessing star power.” Simon says, “I think you could actually win this show. ” Maybe he could. Howie calls the production “Seamless.” Mel says, “You give us your all every single time.” Brian thanks the viewers for supporting him in his “fight.”

Courtney Hadwin – Teen singer – Courtney is Howie’s golden buzzer. He’s very very excited about her appearance tonigh. In her video, we see her Youtube fans reacting to her James Brown performance. Tonight she sings “Born to Be Wild.” Sorry. Not a fan NOT A FAN. She screeches, screams and ugly-faces her way through the song with absolutely NO finesse. Ever see John Belushi’s parody of Joe Cocker? It’s kind of like that. If she were an adult, she would not have made it past her audition. Her appeal is all about how a shy, mild mannered 14 year old transforms on stage. “You were born to be wild,” gushes Howie. He predicts that she will win.  Mel calls her “out there.” She loves her, but feels she lost a little confidence this week. Heidi agrees with Mel a little bit. But still appreciates her authenticity. Simon calls her a “maniac” as compliment. He thinks she needs to be raw and authentic. “I absolutely love you.” He wants her in the finale and believes she “has a shot.”