America’s Got Talent 2025 Auditions 8 Recap Live Blog (Videos)
America’s Got Talent continues with Auditions 8 tonight (July 29) as Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and the returning Mel B. take their seats on the panel for the talent show’s 20th season. Terry Crews once again serves as host
The Golden Buzzers are back, of course. All the panelists and Terry can award two buzzers each to acts they feel should advance straight to the live shows. That is 10 buzzers total.
Tonight, Howie Mandel hands out the final Golden Buzzer of the season! Next week, the Top 44 acts heading to the Live Shows will be revealed.
Darien Johnson & Scott Mathison – Fitness act
NBC previewed this act last week. The two were solo social media influencers, but joining forces took their act to the next level.
The judges are skeptical that workouts have entertainment potential. But the two add an element of danger as they toss and catch giant barbells at each other. One wrong move, and bones gonna get crushed. They conclude the act with Mel and Sofia standing back to back on stage as they hurl the heavy barbells to each other over the ladies’ heads. Simon finds it hilarious!
Mel B was scared, but calls the act “hot.” Sofia is also intrigued by the duo’s “bodies.” Howie “loved it.” Simon found it “interesting.” Terry, a fitness guy, notes that what they did was very very hard. – 4 yeses
Sunny Sauceda – Singer
Sunny has won Grammys, but he did not merit his full audition being aired. The judges panel hated his act and rejected the poor guy. Oh well.
Silas Luke Jones – Guitarist
Oh boy, this young musician from Alaska is very nervous. He’s playing an acoustic guitar, but it’s plugged into a computer on the floor, which Silas manipulates. He performs a Spanish number, boasting skilled technique that includes using the guitar body as percussion. I was NOT expecting that. He seemed like an unassuming singer/songwriter at first.
Sofia calls the audition “insane.” She adds, “You became a rockstar before our eyes.” Howie calls him a techno Jimi Hendrix. Mel calls him one of a kind. Simon calls him “extraordinary” and a “special talent.” – 4 yeses.
Unreal – Dance Group – Howie Mandel Golden Buzzer
The Unreal crew from India have been dancing together since 2018, and have been practicing for AGT for five years. In their video package, it’s mentioned that their parents DON’T approve of their kids’ dance aspirations. The group members’ hope AGT success changes their minds.
The dancers wear painted face masks that suggest skeletons. The music is spooky and Halloween-like. It’s electronic featuring Indian flavors. Clever choreography and smart props result in a compelling visual display. Contortion lends an extra spooky element.
Simon calls the act creative, brilliant and scary. Sofia calls it a “perfect” audition. “One of the best shows we’ve seen this season.” Howie loves how they put their elements together. “You deserve everything…” And Howie hands out the FINAL Golden Buzzer of the season! Unreal moves on to the Live Shows.
Evelyn Errante – Kid singer
Evelyn’s audition dropped earlier today. The 13 year old singer is only in 7th grade. She’s very enthusiastic as she explains how she loves musical theater and wants to sing mainstream music as well. Actually, she also performs country music back home in Phoenix, Arizona.
She sings “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked. Coincidentally (NOT) Universal will release the highly anticipated Wicked part 2 film later this year. Sneaky synergy. Anway, she’s a good singer with a ton of potential. Already, she has developed the ability to phrase and deliver an emotional performance.
Despite the audience loving it, the panel is less enthusiastic. Sofia liked it a lot. But Howie hates musicals, so he says no. Mel B is critical, but says yes anyway. And Simon hates the song (!!!) but puts her through based on her potential, but not without a tense moment. – Howie says no, 3 yeses.
Tej, Ibhan & Lars – Inventors
The trio from Brooklyn, New York are inventors. They hope to quit their tech jobs and invent full time.
The act is chaos. I’m not even sure what’s going on? Howie buzzes them But it seems like they have mini blenders attached to their heads. They are blending smoothies on their heads with fruit the judges throw on stage. Or something. A third guy has a glass attached to his head. They make drinks with their noggins. Simon loves it. He participates in the last bit, drinking a cocktail through a long tube. He spits it out. It’s gross! The rest of the panel, grossed out, buzz him off.
Simon calls it inventive and silly. “It kind of worked.” Next, they’ll do a human pinata. Eventually, Mel B reconsiders and takes back her X. Howie, intrigued by the Human Pinata, also takes back his X. Sofia won’t budge – 3 yeses, 1 no
The Jet Boys – J-Pop group
The group, from Japan, felt intimidated watching earlier dance act, Unreal. Unlike the former team who have been performing together for years, the act is only 2 years old.
Oh. They not only dance, but sing too. They are a J-pop group. That was a surprise. The dancing is solid and synchronized, but the singing….hm.
Howie liked the dancing, not the singing (YES). Mel B disagrees. Sofia calls them “great.” Howie says no. Sofia and Mel say yes. And then Simon expresses misgivings. But he sees potential and says yes. A boy band he can coach. He loves that – 1 no 3 yeses
Dewayne Jackson (Insane Wayne) – Comedian
Dewayne rolls out on stage in a wheelchair. He makes a joke about being a “stand up” comedian. His act is stuffed with quips about his wheelchair life experiences. He’s a likable guy! Ladies, he’s a guaranteed parking spot!
Comedians with disabilities are an AGT specialty. Howie feels he’ll do “amazing” on the show. Simon calls it one of the best auditions of the day. He likes that he got straight to the good bits. Dewayne flirts with Mel (she’s married now!). – 4 yeses
Brandon Raffo – Juggling
We get a glimpse of this skilled juggler while the next act watches them on screen backstage. Pretty sure Brandon got through with enough yeses.
Rich and Carlene – Competitive eaters
The married couple tied the knot 50 years ago. They love AGT and have watched EVERY episode. They describe their act as “competitive eating.” They begin at either end of a long table and begin shoving food in their faces. These are elderly people by the way. Mel buzzes them off. It’s a race to the finish…and Carlene wins.
Simon joke that it reminds him of the first time he took Mel out to eat. Simon can’t imagine what the act would do next. Mel felt it looked “savage.” Next, the two will dance? The judges aren’t impressed – 4 nos
Chris Turner
Chris, from Manchester, England, recently became an American citizen. He’s a freestyle rapper. Not what I would have guessed based on his looks. Oh, it’s a stand-up thing. He takes suggestions from each of the judges and Terry. He incorporates all five disparate suggestions into a song. He’s very clever. But if he was extremely clever, all five suggestions would have intersected!
The judges are impressed. Mel calls him articulate and creative. Simon likes his originality. “That was really smart.” – 4 yeses
Ksenia Angel – Singer
Joke contestant’s singing is so terrible that three judges buzz her. “Money Magnet” is the name of the gem she sang. “There is no way she was serious,” says Sofia. No kidding.
Campus University Cascades – Dance group
Basically, they recreate the fight scenes from the Batman TV show. But good! BOOM POW. Enough yeses to pass (I think)
Andy Wigman Yu
He dances while changing hairpieces on his bald head. The judges are thoroughly confused. – 4 nos
Alexa Morales
Alexa won a Grammy with a salsa act. But her dream? To dress up like a furry and sing with a keytar. She describes herself as a “wherefox lady.” She’s probably a hit at furry conventions. The judges buzz her off – 4 nos. Yes. she did win a Grammy.
Goldie Hen – Hula hoop chicken
Dressed as a chicken, Goldie clucks and hula hoops. It turns out though, that her hula hoop skillz are SERIOUS. Her male assistant is done up like a rooster. She lays a golden egg and gifts it to Terry. I mean, she is kind of funny?
Simon is on his feet. “What is happening?” Sofia is confused. Simon can’t stop laughing. “You have a talent,” says Howie. Next, she promises to fly. Sofia says no, but the rest say yes. – 1 no 3 yeses
