America’s Got Talent 2025 Premiere Recap and Live Blog
America’s Got Talent kicks off tonight (May 27) 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
Executive producer Simon promises more behind the scenes footage than ever before. The first audition episode begins with the judges’ arrival and reunion. Mel reunites with Simon and meets Sofia, whom she’s never worked with before.
The Golden Buzzers are back, of course. All the panelists and Terry can award two buzzers to acts they feel should advance straight to the live shows. That is 10 buzzers total.
Eric Booker – Novelty Act
Eric is a retired subway conductor from New York City. Appearing on AGT has been his project ever since he retired. He’s a little nervous and asks for water, which he chugs. Turns out, it’s a prelude for his act which consists of chugging super gross concoctions. Yum. He supplies the panel with “samples” of what he’s imbibing.
First, he drinks pickle juice. Not too bad. Next, it’s hot dog water. The idea, is each successive drink becomes grosser and grosser. Mel is the first to hit her red X. The third is creamed corn. Actually, the hot dog water was worse. But by now, he should be gagging, but is not. He finishes off with hot sauce, which prompts Howie and Sofia to X him. Simon does NOT want him to stop, of course. But Mel hits his button for him.
The act is pretty stupid, but remarkably Eric is completely unfazed. Simon found the act underwhelming. “Hot dog water is not all that exciting.” Regardless, he is the only yes. Howie concurs, as he played along with the challenge himself and didn’t find it that big a deal (his samples were tiny in comparison!) Mel calls the act dangerous. 1 yes, 3 nos
Team Recycled – Dance Act
The members of the group met 15 years ago. They put a team together for an audition to open for Boyz II Men. Most of the dancers have day jobs. They dream of working on big stages.
The group performs a b-boy routine that’s not exactly inspired. At least not to start. The big twist finds a much bigger group emerging from seats in the audience to perform a coordinated color routine. It’s different than typical dance routines, especially in the way they use their jackets and tee shirts to coordinate between white, red and black. Eventually they break out the light wands.
Howie calls it perfect for season 20, especially how the routine “grew and grew and grew.” Simon declares, “This is how you achieve great things.” He appreciated how the act turned into an event. Sofia calls it spectacular. Mel, a dancer, criticizes the boring first part. She doesn’t buy the “fake out” and believes it should have been exciting from beginning to end. Simon and Howie disagree. Mel says no, but the rest say yes. Surprising that editors left in Simon using the Lord’s name in vain. – 1 no, 3 yeses
Zak Mirz – Magician
Zak’s pregnant wife and young child watch his act off stage. The Dallas, Texas magician admits to being “incredibly nervous.” As a child, Zak was inspired by magician David Blaine.
Oh, he’s one of those smushy “storytelling” magicians. Not my favorite. And this guy incorporates his daughter’s birthday, so heart-tugging. Also, Zak involves the judges, the audience and home viewers. I find this act confusing? I had to watch it twice. Participants are asked to point to things projected on a screen and Zak guesses correctly what most people are pointing at? Or something.
The act ends with Zak opening a present for his daughter and it’s a big red bear, the thing everyone pointed at, supposedly. The judges are impressed, and I’m still not sure why. Simon calls the act “spooky.” Howie compares Zak to magicians who have won the show. Hm. No. – 4 yeses
Light Wire – Light act – Simon Cowell Golden Buzzer
One brother is artistic, the other handles the tech. And the other…isn’t related and a friend. The trio, a light act, is from Brazil. One of the brothers had a dream he and his sibling were performing on the AGT stage. “All the dreams came true.”
The act has a Brazilian jungle theme, and involves dancers performing amid lights as they turn into various animals, like tigers, monkeys and more. It’s probably a spectacular looking thing in person. The colors, even on TV are intense. After, the dance troupe come on stage to meet the judges
Simon says, “This was one of the most beautiful, stunning acts, that I’ve seen across all of the Got Talents.” Simon is SO IMPRESSED. he gives the act his GOLDEN BUZZER. Big emotions all around. One member explains the importance of preserving the Amazon rain forrest.
Micah Palace – Latin entertainer
Micah apologizes to his mother for being such a goofball at home. He confesses that all he’s ever wanted was to entertain. The New Englander has always dreamed of performing on AGT.
Playing on an electric keyboard inexplicably set up on an ironing board, Micah proceeds to go crazy performing a Latin hip-hop tune in Spanish. He dances around with abandon and the audience eats it up. Sofia looks happy. He finishes with a Benson Boone-like back flip. Micah seems to be fashioning himself as some sort of Latin Benson Boone.
Micah wrote the song. He explains that he grew up in an Argentinian household, but was made fun of in school for his heritage. The song is about his experiences and his ethnic pride. Simon liked the song. He didn’t know what to expect at first. Howie calls it “epic.” After the performance, Micah explains the ironing board–he improvised with his mother’s board when he practiced at home. – 4 yeses
Chloe and Gallagher – Bird act
Chloe has a bird Gallagher, a 43 year old yellow naped amazon, that mimics her singing.
She strums a guitar while singing “Creep.” She calls to Gallagher, who seems a little shy about singing. That’s the problem with animal acts. They are unpredictable once the lights, cameras and loud audience hit them. After seemingly warming up….he does nothing. DUD. He does manage a “bye” as they exit the stage. – 4 nos
Amadou ‘Lastic Boy’ – Contortionist
The 20 year old contortionist is REAL BENDY if you like that sort of thing (I don’t, really. Ick). His joints, his hips, his waist can go every which way. He’s able to bend back and stick his head in his pants. He encourages Mel to try and break his arm, basically, and it freaks her out. Amadou brings a sense of humor to the act, which alleviates some of the queasiness.
Mel calls the act “un-friggin believable.” Howie felt his sockets, as they popped out of place. Sofia feels Amadou took contortionism to another level. “Everybody is going to be talking about this,” says Simon. – 4 yeses
Marty & Michael – Variety act
High school friends from Brisbane, Australia, describe their act as “niche.” Oh boy, to say the least. It’s a joke act, which starts with an easel. Each placard contains an anodyne phrase, like “easiest way to crack an egg” followed by the duo accomplishing the simple task in the most painful and embarrassing way possible.
Eventually, all four judges hit their buzzes. Simon felt the act COULD have been great. He’s disappointed. Sofia jokes that she might have liked it if there had been more pain – 4 nos
Jourdan Blue – Singer – Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer
Jourdan, a 23 year old from Louisiana, busks on the street. It’s how he provides for his family, which includes his girlfriend and their baby boy. He’s chosen the riskier path because he wants to show his son how to chase his dreams. His teen years were tough. At 16 he was on his own and homeless at times. His grandfather rescued him, taking him in. Jourdan and his family still live with him. Backstage, Jourdan facetimes him so he can watch his audition.
On stage, he breaks down describing the car ramming attack that occurred on Bourbon street on New Years day. It happened on the block where he busks. Without a guitar he sings The Script’s “Breakeven.” His tone is distinctive and unexpected. The crowd loves it. Along with a beautiful tone and phrasing, Jourdan brings a compelling passion to the performance.
The judges are on their feet. Jourdan is crying. Sofia is “in love” with him. She calls him a “rock star.” Mel loved his tone. She calls it perfect and like hearing the song for the first time. Simon calls him “so cool.” Howie winds up and guess what HOWIE HITS HIS GOLDEN BUZZER.
Jacqueline & Wagner – Roller skate act
Jacqueline is from Italy, Wagner from Brazil. The two met in Spain. Wagner is VERY TALL. Much bigger than Jacqueline. She goes on and on describing how they met. “It’s season 21 now,” Simon quips.
The two mix rollerskating with silks acrobatics. That’s a combo I haven’t’ seen yet. The two eventually perform dangerous tumbling as they swing through the air, still wearing roller skates. They descend, Wagner skates around as she twirls. Then, they are back in the air again. The crowd loves it. The big finish has Jacqueline and Wagner tethered neck to neck.
Simon calls it beautiful and exciting. He compared Jacqueline to Jessica Rabbit, the cartoon character. He finds them both “interesting.” Mel calls the act, terrifying, but she loved it. – 4 yeses
Sandy Larson – 70 year old dancer
Sandy, from Knoxville, Tennessee, is a young looking 70. Fifty years ago, she was a professional dancer, but retired to raise a family. I thought maybe she’d be a pole dancer or a stripper. But no–she dances with swords, oddly enough. She’s flanked by a couple more elderly performers. There is belly dancing involved.
Mel pushes her red X buzzer, which is kind of mean. Sofia calls the act “beautiful” and a “great way to finish the day.” Simon loved it. “It made me really happy.” The two ladies flanking Sandy are her best friends. Howie is also 70 and applauds anyone that age who continues to show up. Mel refuses to say yes to a dance act that doesn’t measure up to her standards. The crowd boos her. 3 yeses, 1 no.
