Video source: NBC.com
With an interesting addition to the judge’s panel, the new season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent is promising to be one of the most competitive so far.
Maybe it’s Simon Cowell’s new paternity, but some people are saying that the “bad cop” of talent show panels is giving more standing ovations and using some softer approaches for his feedback.
The judge we love to hate seems to have changed. And it’s not necessarily a bad thing if it’s inspiring judges to appear more human and give us that golden-buzzer moment we all hope to experience. Everybody loves a golden story.
It looks like every year the bar is raised a bit more, and acts need to appeal to their creativity to really stand out among literally thousands of hopefuls
So the dancing gets edgier, the singers are younger and more prepared, the magic gets more shocking, and we as an audience are getting more demanding. The expectations are high. And the auditions have not disappointed this season.
Last week, one of the highlights of the show was 12-year-old Grace VanderWaal, who wowed audience and judges alike with her voice, when she interpreted an original song called “I don’t know my name” in front of the biggest audience she had faced so far. Her mature and charming voice accompanied by her playing the ukulele, together with lyrics wise beyond her years, earned her a standing ovation.
It’s not common to see a singer-songwriter this young and so impressive. Simon Cowell stood up with a telling smile, that we have seen whenever he finds someone this special.
Howie Mandel called the young lady, “A beautiful, walking miracle,” while the audience cheered and Grace could not contain her excitement.
Mandel then proceeded to press that golden buzzer after his speech, sending the girl straight to the live shows. He even went onstage to hug Grace.
Her family backstage expressed their happiness with tears of joy
During the height of the celebration, Simon Cowell said he predicts this girl is going to be “the next Taylor Swift.”
Grace has already gotten the attention of the media and was even interviewed by Rolling Stone.
With this season’s variety of quality artists, we can be sure to witness many memorable moments, and see true talent.