Gina Brillon burst into tears after making it to the finals of America’s Got Talent on Wednesday during the results episode on NBC.
The 41-year-old comedian covered her mouth in disbelief as show host Terry Crews, 53, announced that she was the first season 16 performer to advance to the finals.
‘I can’t tell you how excited I am. I said last night this is the year of comedy. The fact that the first act going through to the finals is a comedian blows me away,’ said judge Howie Mandel, 65.
First finalist: Gina Brillon broke into tears after making it to the finals of America’s Got Talent on Wednesday during the results episode on NBC
‘I just want to say one thing to her. She’s obviously put in the work. It’s paying off. I see you every night at the clubs. I have no advice for you. You show up. You tell jokes and you get laughs. Keep doing that,’ added Howie who has been a staunch supporter of comedy acts throughout his tenure as judge.
Bronx native Gina wiped away tears as Terry asked her to talk.
‘Thank you. You have no idea. Thank you to my parents, thank you to everybody,’ Gina said with a voice full of emotion.
Self-taught aerialist Aidan Bryant, 16, and magician and story teller Dustin Tavella, 35, also were voted straight through to the finals along with Gina based on viewer voting.
Tense moment: The 41-year-old comedian closed her eyes before host Terry Crews, 53, announced that she was the first season 16 performer to advance to the finals
Blown away: ‘I can’t tell you how excited I am. I said last night this is the year of comedy. The fact that the first act going through to the finals is a comedian blows me away,’ said judge Howie Mandel, 65
Sofia Vergara, 49, told Aidan that he was spectacular.
AGT executive producer and judge Simon Cowell, 61, at the start of the results episode said there was one ‘very, very clear winner’ of the 11 acts that performed Tuesday during the first semifinals performance.
Simon later told Aidan that he was talking about him and considered the teenager the act to beat.
High praise: Aidan Bryant, 16, was told by judge Simon Cowell that he was the act to beat
Dustin thanked all the voters and the audience for voting him through and judge Heidi Klum, 48, told him she was not surprised that he was going to the finals.
Howie told Dustin he was so good because he touched their hearts and made them feel good.
‘The one thing America needs right now is to feel good,’ said Howie. ‘Keep delivering that you are so wonderful.’
Not surprised: Heidi Klum told Dustin Tavella that she was not surprised he made it to the finals
When the show started, Terry revealed that three acts – singer Jimmie Herrod, voice effects artist Michael Winslow and World Taekwondo Demonstration Team – didn’t get enough votes and were endangered to be voted off the show.
Simon was stunned that these were the acts that were on the line, including Sofia’s Golden Buzzer singer Jimmie and Terry’s Golden Buzzer Pick the World Taekwondo Demonstration Team.
Ultimately, Jimmie got the votes he needed to move on to the finals. He thanked everyone and screamed as Simon told him he was thrilled for him.
In danger: When the show started, Terry revealed that three acts – singer Jimmie Herrod, voice effects artist Michael Winslow and World Taekwondo Demonstration Team – didn’t get enough votes and were endangered to be voted off the show
Super singer: Ultimately, Jimmie got the votes he needed to move on to the finals
‘You are a brilliant, brilliant , brilliant, brilliant singer and the finals need you,’ Simon said.
Sofia screamed and said she was so happy that Jimmie was moving on to the finals.
That left Michael Winslow and World Taekwondo on stage both vying for the judges’ votes to save them.
Last two: Michael Winslow and World Taekwondo were left on stage both vying for the judges’ votes to save them
Heidi voted for World Taekwondo, but she said the choice was difficult because she loved both acts. Sofia also gave her vote to World Taekwondo because she thought they would make a better Vegas act. Simon voted for World Taekwondo and they received the three votes from the judges needed to move on to the finals.
World Taekwondo Demonstration Team then all bowed to the judges.
The results episode also featured actor and singer Ben Platt, 27, who performed an emotional deliverance of ‘You Will Be Found’ from the upcoming movie ‘Dear Evan Hansen.’
Judges voted: World Taekwondo Demonstration Team advanced after the judges voted
Emotional performance: The results episode also featured actor and singer Ben Platt, 27, who performed an emotional deliverance of ‘You Will Be Found’ from the upcoming movie ‘Dear Evan Hansen’
There was also a special backstage moment on the show when 10-year-old magician The Amazing Shoji, who tried out for AGT, was surprised by a visit from his idol, magician Shin Lim, 29.
‘Best birthday ever,’ The Amazing Shoji said after he quizzed his idol about magic and was treated to birthday cake by the judges.
AGT alum comedian Preacher Lawson, 39, also came on show and did a short hilarious act making fun of his first name and about growing up with the name ‘preacher.’
Funny guy: AGT alum comedian Preacher Lawson, 39, also came on show and did a short hilarious act making fun of his first name and about growing up with the name ‘preacher’
Preacher will be hosting AGT Live in Las Vegas and joked to Terry that he was going to replace him.
‘I’m 20 push ups and one tight suit away from your job,’ Preacher quipped.
America’s Got Talent will return next week with the second batch of semifinalists performing followed by a results episode.
The season finale of AGT will air in two weeks on NBC.
Good one: ‘I’m 20 push ups and one tight suit away from your job,’ Preacher quipped as he joked with Terry about replacing him