America’s Got Talent 2026 Auditions 5 Recap and Live Blog
America’s Got Talent continues tonight (July 7) as Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B. take their seats on the panel for the talent show’s 21st season. Terry Crews serves as host.
This season brings a new twist later on in the Judging process: A new round of competition called the Judges’ Callbacks round which will give Acts another golden opportunity to make it all the way to the Season 21 finals.
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.
Barrio Dance Factory – Dance Group
Simon’s microphone malfunctions in the middle of introducing the group. They promise to bring something new to the stage. Dancing to “Another One Bites the Dance” and thn on to Bicycle and “Don’t Stop Me Now. The choreography is charming, but not especially innovative.
Mel is up on her feet. Sje calls their energy on fire. She compliments the large group’s precice dancing. Howie was not as impressed. Sofia loved it. Simon feels the show has seen more interesting dancers, but calls their energy “infectious.” Howie says no. The rest say yes. Simon went for a very awkward fake out that fooled noone! – 3 yeses 1 no.
Godfrey Daniels – Weirdo Clown
Weirdo clown act in a big giant suit gets buzzed pretty fast. Simon and Howie found it hilarious. But Mel and Sofia say no.
Vahtang – Beatboxer
He’s from the country of Georgia and speaks very little English. He sings “Black Betty” singing the background blam a lams in a guttural voice. Oh. He’s a beatboxer. Not bad. He performs like a ventriloquist without a dummy. The judges seem impressed.
Howie calls him a one man band. Simon is so happy. He calls it a surprise in a very good way. – 4 yeses
Kameron Marshall – Magician
Kameron is a close up magician. He’s very confident in his abilities. He approaches the judges table to do card tricks with their help. His hands are very deft. He works and talks fast. Oh. The cards the judges picked match a tatoo on his arm. Kinda crazy.
Mel says “You blew my brain away. Sofia calls him her “favorite today.” Simon doesn’t want to see cards again. He doesn’t feel it will sustain. The audience boos. Howie agrees saying he must make it bigger next time. Simon says yes anyway. – 4 yeses
Darrell Moten – Magician
Now, Darrell, on the other hand, is very shy. He’s only performed on the Internet. It’s his first time performing in front of a live audience. He approaches the judges with tricks that aren’t as flashy as Kameron. But he’s got his own style. And unlike Kameron, he uses the stage. But did he make a mistake? We’ll find out after the break! And oh no. He didn’t pick the same card as Simon. Or maybe it’s part of the act. He goes back stage and reveals a meta trick. Oh boy. That was very elaborate in a way that Simon loves.
Howie loved it. Of course, Mel didn’t get it. “Too hard to follow.” Sofia loved it. Simon calls him really good and original. Even though he feels Darrell needs more stage experience, he says yes. – 3 yeses, 1 no.
Nene Royal – Heavy metal singer/guitarist
Almost 16 and from Thailand, her dad is her biggest supporter. Mom wants her to go to college. She’s been playing guitar since age 7. This young singer sings “Zombie” and shreds an electric guitar. She needs a couple more years to mature, but she’s a pretty solid lead guitar player. She’s so sweet, so the swagger is unexpected.
Sofia loved it. Howie calls her a rockstar. Mel admires her vocal control. Simon loves her authentic tone. – 4 yeses
Royal Lasers – Dancers – Terry Crews 2nd Golden Buzzer
They worked as back up dancers for the AGT residency in Las Vegas a few years ago. The act is a light and laser show featuring the trio of dancers. It’s got humor!
Uh oh. TERRY HAS APPROACHED THE DESK. That can mean only one thing. Terry hits the Golden Buzzer. He liked the monsters, apparently.
Jesse White Tumbling Team
The team has been around for decades. Mr. White is still alive to help lead the team. The current leader’s father performed in the Chicago troup. The tumbling is crazy. It’s amazing they don’t knock into each other and put out an eye. They jump higher and higher and higher! Super high energy.
At the end, the judges are on their feet. Simon gives a thumbs up. Jessie joins the team on stage. He created the group 67 years ago. He doesn’t look 92 years old. Mel calls it brilliant. Howie agrees. He calls it extreme. Simon calls it sensational. – 4 yeses
Israel Isaac – Singer
Simon felt he was too nervous. His voice was warbly. It’s a no.
Travis Garland – Singer from DWTS
He sings on Dancing with the Stars! That’s an ABC show. He’ also worked with the Pussycat Dolls and was in a boy band. He seems to have kicked around for awhile. Mel recognizes his voice from the show. He tackles Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” He’s gotta hit the note, right, Or why even try the song. His voice is raspy and interesting. And yep. He goes for it and totally nails it.
Mel is fanning herself. She calls him a seasoned singer. Howie calls his talent incredible. But feels it was a bit too theatrical. Mel agues with him. Sofia isn’t sure either. She didn’t like the song. These comments are weird. Simon says there is no question he can sing. He wanted a different arrangement. Simon gives in and says yes. 1 no 3 yeses
Abresh – Roller ball
He’s from Ethiopia. The 33 year old has been at it for 10 years. And it is roller balling stunts. He uses a basketball. It’s like hip hop roller balling. He wears street clothes while he performs. Usually these guys are shirtless and ripped. He stacks up the objects higher and higher–found objects like bookcases. The platform rises and still he keeps his balance.
Howie loved the originality. Sofia calls it super difficult. Simon loved the simplicity of it. Mel calls it “proper entertainment.” – 3 yeses, Simon waffles. He can’t figure out where it goes from here.
Daniel Alvarez – Comedian
After getting shot, Daniel was left paralyzed from the chest down. He drives an uber as a day job. He tells a bunch of wheelchair jokes. He was shot at a Halloween party 18 years ago, dressed as Spiderman. He pokes major fun at himself. The jokes would be tasteless if he wasn’t telling them! He’s kinda funny.
Simon calls him hilarious, one of the funniest of the season. Sofia loves him. Mel felt his nervousness at first. He did seem nervous at first. Howie believes his life is going to change – 4 yeses
Jack & Haley – Country duo
Uh. They sing a song about the size of a ding dong. I guess it’s a comedy thing? The buzzers go off. Howie is offended because they dedicated the song to him. – 4 nos.
Neil & Bryan – Singing duo
They perform an original song written for the Golden Buzzer. Sounds dumb. It’s a song about glitter! And pretty terrible. The ding dong couple were actually better. The buzzers begin to go off! The chorus is catchy. These gues are trying to go viral, which they might with this stupid crap.
The crowd loved it. Simon wants to use it as the Golden Buzzer theme song. He liked it.
