The dancers from Junior New System burst into tears after getting a nail-biting nod for a spot in the semi-finals on Wednesday’s results episode of America’s Got Talent.
The 11 men who live in poverty in the slums of Manila in the Philippines nervously watched all night as five contenders got automatic spots in the semi-finals from viewers’ votes
The 151 members of the Angel City Chorale then got through on the live Dunkin’ Saves vote.
Live results: Junior New System burst into tears as they advanced into the semi-finals on Wednesday’s results episode of America’s Got Talent
The dancers, who wowed with acrobatic dance moves while wearing high heels, then faced Japanese diabolo juggler Mochi for the final spot from the 12 who had battled it out in the first live round of the quarterfinals.
The judges were split — leaving host Tyra Banks, 44, to quickly announce Junior System as the act going through thanks to getting the most viewers’ votes from the previous night’s performances.
Most were left sobbing with joy at the announcement, some also falling to their knees while others jumped and hugged while also in tears.
The final semis spot of the night went to viewers’ votes after the judges were completely split, with Simon Cowell, 58, and Heidi Klum, 45, picking Junior New System, while Howie Mandel, 62, and Mel B, 43, both went for Mochi.
Split vote: Howie Mandel, Mel B, Simon Cowell and Heidi Klum were split on their votes between Junior New System and Mochi
So close: Mochi just missed out on the semis as viewers broke the judges’ tie and picked Junior New System
The moment: Tyra Banks stood between the Manila high heel dancers and the Japanese juggler as they awaited their fate
Got saved: Angel City Chorale got through on the live Dunkin’ Saves vote
‘It’s breaking my heart watching you guys cry up there,’ Heidi told them, while Simon also admitted: ‘I can make a case for both acts.’
He went with the dancers despite telling them it ‘wasn’t your best night,’ saying: ‘Guys, I think from the minute we first met you, you made a huge impact on us.’
Even though she went for the juggler, Mel also praised the dancers, telling them: ‘Junior New System, I’ve been a big fan of yours from day one. I love your struggle, your strength, the heels, your niche that you’ve created. You are very unique.’
Fan favorites: Junior New System from the slums of Manila, Philippines have been a favorite of the judges throughout season 13
While their pick was the most emotional, earlier Simon was unable to hide his shock when Flau’jae, the young rapper who had been one of the judges’ clear favorites, was first to be voted off.
The 14-year-old, who had a huge impact when rapping about the devastation of her rapper dad being murdered before she was born, had been brought forward along with the siblings band We Three and the high school PAC Dance Team for the first decision.
The judges all stood to applaud when We Three got the first spot in the semis — but Simon’s face soon showed clear shock as he realized Flau’jae was not going through, pointing her way and mouthing, ‘What?’
Tough cut: We Three, PAC Dance Team and Flau’jae took the stage together
The host: Tyra rocked a sleeveless, off-the-shoulders top with a sparkling silver bow
Mel told the young rapper as well as the dance group also going home: ‘You’ve been seen by millions of people, so don’t be sad.’
We Three, the two brothers and a sister from McMinnville, Oregon, seemed shocked to be first voted through, with Bethany, 24, telling Tyra when she asked for her reaction: ‘You have to talk to them because I’m gonna cry!’
Lead singer Manny, 21, then said: ‘We just feel so honored just to be on this stage, and the opportunity to share more music with America is such a big deal to us and we just want to keep working as hard as we possibly can for you guys.’
So honored: Manny said that We Three were ‘so honored just to be on this stage’
The pick must have also shocked Simon, who had told them that their performance didn’t work and they ‘looked like the support band with an OK song.’
Mel made a clear dig at him after the decision, telling the band ‘You’re not a support act’ with Heidi backing her with an emphatic: ‘Exactly!’
‘You are a group and you’re talented and I would buy your ticket any day, any day. Carry on doing exactly what you’re doing — don’t change,’ Mel told them, adding: ‘And like I said last night — you’re all very hot.’
Strong effort: PAC Dance Team divided the judges during their earlier performances
She also told them: ‘You know that I have such a connection with you guys. You lost a parent, similar to my parent thing, and you’ve got each other, and you create original music, you sing from the heart.’
Simon must have been thrilled by one decision — with Human Fountains, the guys who spit out water to music and who he called ‘the most stupid act we’ve ever had’ get that far in the show, failing to get any further.
He had once again been blunt about his opinion of them when he told the acts ‘I think you all did an amazing job… apart from one or two’ — soon clarifying: ‘The people who spat.’
Sent home: Human Fountains failed to advance but Vicki Barbolak moved into the semis
They left when Vicki Barbolak was second to go through to the semis, with the comedienne bursting into tears and tumbling over her words when Tyra asked for a reaction.
‘I feel like I’m not even able to hold onto the earth, I’m just flying so high right now,’ she finally said.
Heidi told her: ‘I’m so happy for you. I’m not surprised because you were really, really funny.’
Funny woman: Mochi and Amanda Mena are shown with Vicki as they waited for results
When she was asked how she would celebrate — with people shouting that she would have a party in her trailer — Simon raised his hand and joked: ‘I’m free.’
The night looked set for another shock when 14-year-old singers Courtney Hadwin and Amanda Mena were called up together, seemingly leaving one of the Golden Buzzer stars going home.
But they soon ran and hugged each other when Tyra announced they were both through, with Mel — who gave Amanda her Golden Buzzer — telling them: ‘I’m so thankful that both of you are going through and I called it, because you’re both equally talented. I’m so happy.’
Trailer party: Vicki was flying high after making it to the semis
Teen singers: Amanda and Courtney Hadwin both advanced to the next round
Howie got a little competitive with Mel over their Golden Buzzer picks, calling Courtney ‘the most electric, most exciting thing that I’ve ever been part of’ and saying: ‘I love that they’re both there … but I think mine’s gonna win!’
Card trick magician Shin Lim then got the last spot from viewers’ votes, saying: ‘I’m feeling amazing, thank you so much all of America, I love every single one of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.’
Heidi told him: Just keep doing what you’re doing because you’re fabulous just the way you are. Keep blowing us away with your magic!’
Magic man: Shin also made it to the semis after viewer voting
His spot meant disappointment for Lord Nil, the deadly escape artist Mel had buzzed to remove because she was so distressed at how Nil put he and his fiancee Mya’s lives at risk.
Angel City Chorale, the stunning LA-based choir, then went through with the Dunkin’ Saves live vote on the night.
Last year’s winner Darci Lynn Farmer also returned for a performance, saying: ‘After winning I got to do so many things that I wouldn’t have gotten to do, and I’m just so humbled and honored for the opportunities. It’s all because of here, and AGT, so thank you.’
America’s Got Talent will return next week on NBC.
Danger act: Lord Nil and fiancee Mya didn’t make it to semi-finals
Past champion: Darci Lynne Farmer who won last season of AGT returned to perform
Semis seven: The seven semi-finalists got together with the judges after the show