Pint-sized singer Luke Islam, 12, wowed the audience of America’s Got Talent with a rendition of Never Enough from The Greatest Showman on Wednesday’s semifinals episode.
The performance earned Luke a standing ovation, and may have brought the Broadway-loving belter one step closer to his dream of performing on the Great White Way.
‘All the lights, the cameras, the applause, just picturing myself on stage, I just start singing,’ Luke reflected before he went on.
Luke sings: Pint-sized singer Luke Islam, 12, wowed the audience of America’s Got Talent with a rendition of Never Enough from The Greatest Showman on Wednesday’s semifinals episode
‘I wish I could see those lights and hear that applause every day of my life. If this goes well, maybe I will.’
With a confidence that belied his years, he let his voice soar and brought many of those who were watching to tears.
‘I feel like a proud mama,’ said judge Julianne Hough, 31, who had given him her golden buzzer in the audition rounds. ‘You just were a voice for all of those people who felt like they have never been enough.’
Proud mama: ‘I feel like a proud mama,’ said judge Julianne Hough, 31, who had given him her golden buzzer in the audition rounds
Tears: With a confidence that belied his years, he let his voice soar and brought many of those who were watching to tears
‘There are no guarantees in life,’ noted Howie Mandel, 63. ‘But I can guarantee you, you will be on Broadway, and your dreams will come true.’
Even guest judge Queen Latifah, 49, was impressed: ‘You were in that moment. Every single piece and particle of your body was in that song and in that place, and you took us there with you.’
There were 11 acts fighting for just five spots in the finals on the evening’s show, and things got off to a rousing start with a performance by Indian dance group V. Unbeatable.
Impressed: Even guest judge Queen Latifah, 49, was impressed: ‘You were in that moment. Every single piece and particle of your body was in that song and in that place, and you took us there with you’
Their tight, energetic number, which featured 28 dancers from age 12 to 27, included backward dives, flips and jumps from the top of a tall ladder, and occasionally made the crowd gasp.
The group’s founder, Omprakash, learned everything he knew about dancing from YouTube, and had never taken a class, having worked in a factory from the time he was 10 years old.
‘He wanted every member of this group to chase their dream,’ one dancer explained, noting that Omprakash had then taught what he learned from the Internet to them.
High energy: Their tight, energetic number, which featured 28 dancers from age 12 to 27, included backward dives, flips and jumps from the top of a tall ladder, and occasionally made the crowd gasp
Founder: The group’s founder, Omprakash, learned everything he knew about dancing from YouTube, and had never taken a class, having worked in a factory from the time he was 10 years old
V. Unbeatable earned a standing ovation, and a thumbs-up from judge Simon Cowell, 59.
‘Never has a group had a more appropriate name,’ he offered. ‘You guys are in it to win it.’
Magician Dom Chambers was next, with a set that focused on his favorite beverage: beer.
Standing O: V. Unbeatable earned a standing ovation, and a thumbs-up from judge Simon Cowell, 59
Appropriate name: ‘Never has a group had a more appropriate name,’ he offered. ‘You guys are in it to win it’
In a video shown before he went on, Dom compared the thrill of doing magic to one of his favorite hobbies, Australian rules football.
‘Whether it’s playing sports, doing magic, whatever it is in my life, I take on this ‘never give up’ attitude,’ he said. ‘I think it’s important to make your mark.’
‘I really think that I’ve come up with something that no magician has done before.’
Beer act: Magician Dom Chambers was next, with a set that focused on his favorite beverage: beer
In the blink of an eye, Dom made five bottles of beer vanish, turned a full beer into an empty cup, and appeared to drink an entire ‘mega-beer’ made up of 2,501 bottles in just seconds.
‘Magicians have had a tough time on the show this year,’ Simon admitted. ‘What you brought tonight was personality, scale, fun. This may have put you through to the finals.’
Dog act Lukas and Falco followed him, prefaced by a bit that saw nine-year-old Australian shepherd Falco living it up in Hollywood, ignoring texts from his owner, Lukas Pratschker.
Mega-beer: In the blink of an eye, Dom made five bottles of beer vanish, turned a full beer into an empty cup, and appeared to drink an entire ‘mega-beer’ made up of 2,501 bottles in just seconds
Tough time: ‘Magicians have had a tough time on the show this year,’ Simon admitted. ‘What you brought tonight was personality, scale, fun. This may have put you through to the finals’
With a cover of Blondie’s One Way or Another playing behind him, Falco ran around a car-themed set, jumping over tires, standing on a barrel, riding a skateboard, and grabbing a sandwich. He even gave gave Simon a high five.
But a few tricks were hit or miss, as the dog struggled to run under Lukas’ body, jump on his back, or traverse the judges table—and it exposed the difficulties of sustaining such an act.
‘I love the dog, and I love you,’ Howie said, after Falco pushed the X button in front of him. ‘The most impressive thing about this act is that the dog was able to read my mind and give the buzzer that I was going to give.’
‘I actually hate you right now, Howie,’ Simon retorted, saying he ‘loved the mistakes.’
Lukas and Falco: With a cover of Blondie’s One Way or Another playing behind him, Falco ran around a car-themed set, jumping over tires, standing on a barrel, riding a skateboard, and grabbing a sandwich. He even gave gave Simon a high five
Miss tricks: But a few tricks were hit or miss, as the dog struggled to run under Lukas’ body, jump on his back, or traverse the judges table—and it exposed the difficulties of sustaining such an act
Loved the mistakes: ‘I actually hate you right now, Howie,’ Simon retorted, saying he ‘loved the mistakes’
Swedish singer Chris Klafford charmed viewers with an original tune about finding and losing great love, which he said was inspired by his grandparents’ lengthy relationship.
‘Every since I was a kid, I wanted to play music, but I was really shy and I didn’t talk about my feelings,’ Chris revealed. ‘Singing is a little easier. I really feel people listen more to what I have to say through music.’
Howie didn’t love the song, but Julianne called Chris’ writing ‘authentic and true,’ giving her fellow judge a vigorous thumbs-down for his assessment.
Queen Latifah praised his skill, too: ‘I’m already at the concert, and I hear a whole audience like me singing that hook. In my brain, I’m hearing the record already produced.’
Original song: Swedish singer Chris Klafford charmed viewers with an original tune about finding and losing great love, which he said was inspired by his grandparents’ lengthy relationship
Mixed reaction: Howie didn’t love the song, but Julianne called Chris’ writing ‘authentic and true,’ giving her fellow judge a vigorous thumbs-down for his assessment
Already produced: Queen Latifah praised his skill, too: ‘I’m already at the concert, and I hear a whole audience like me singing that hook. In my brain, I’m hearing the record already produced’
The Detroit Youth Choir got an even bigger reaction with their version of Panic at the Disco’s 2018 hit High Hopes—and it was clear from the start that the judges loved it, too.
Before they went on, their director, Anthony White, watched a video in which his students thanked him for the way he had changed their lives, bringing him to tears.
They said he’d saved them from bullies, made them feel beautiful, and taught them it was okay to show emotion, with one child adding: ‘You just brought the best out of me.’
High hopes: The Detroit Youth Choir got an even bigger reaction with their version of Panic at the Disco’s 2018 hit High Hopes—and it was clear from the start that the judges loved it, too
Bullies: They said he’d saved them from bullies, made them feel beautiful, and taught them it was okay to show emotion, with one child adding: ‘You just brought the best out of me’
Their synchronized dance and original rapping had everyone on their feet clapping along.
‘That’s entertainment,’ said Queen Latifah, the daughter of a teacher herself. ‘We are thoroughly entertained by you.’
‘Y’all took us to church,’ added judge Gabrielle Union, 46, crying. ‘You guys were amazing.’
Entertained: ‘That’s entertainment,’ said Queen Latifah, the daughter of a teacher herself. ‘We are thoroughly entertained by you’
Church: ‘Y’all took us to church,’ added judge Gabrielle Union, 46, crying. ‘You guys were amazing’
Light artist Alex Dowis then created an ever-changing blacklight painting about first responders to a crisis, inspired by the events of September 11, 2001.
‘All my life I’ve been surrounded by artists,’ said Alex, who started painting in the subways when he was 14, which taught him to work quickly and appreciate the value of light.
‘The light is like life—it’s only there for a moment,’ he added. ‘I want to show this with my light painting, that nothing is forever… I must catch it before it’s gone.’
He, too, got a standing ovation.
‘It’s amazing what you’re able to do with imagery emitting such emotion,’ offered Howie, praising Alex’s use of light to depict a ‘dark time,’ though he couldn’t always follow it.
Simon, however, called it ‘remarkable,’ urging everyone to rewatch it later.
Tribute: Light artist Alex Dowis then created an ever-changing blacklight painting about first responders to a crisis, inspired by the events of September 11, 2001
Big praise: ‘It’s amazing what you’re able to do with imagery emitting such emotion,’ offered Howie, praising Alex’s use of light to depict a ‘dark time,’ though he couldn’t always follow it
Remarkable: Simon, however, called it ‘remarkable,’ urging everyone to rewatch it later
Rule-breaking guitarist Marcin Patrzalek kept things moving with a softer instrumental tune that he’d done before, featuring a half-plucked, half-drummed piece backed by a band.
‘It was like a vision,’ raved Julianne. ‘I could see what the future holds for you.’
‘The performance had drama, progression, it was a great song,’ added Simon. ‘This by a mile was your best song, on a night when you needed that to happen.’
Guitarist: Rule-breaking guitarist Marcin Patrzalek kept things moving with a softer instrumental tune that he’d done before, featuring a half-plucked, half-drummed piece backed by a band
Opera singer Emanne Beasha, 10, impressed the judges with an Italian rendition of the Bryan Adams’ 1991 classic (Everything I Do) I Do it For You—her first contemporary piece.
She brought her stuffed animals Simon Cowell and Jay Leno along as good luck charms.
‘I’m extremely nervous,’ Emanne noted. ‘I can’t believe I’m here. Tonight, when I step out on that stage, I’m just going to be me and sing my heart out.’
Julianne: The crowd rose to its feet for her, with Julianne saying she was deeply affected by the song
The crowd rose to its feet for her, with Julianne saying she was deeply affected by the song.
‘You took those lyrics and you shifted that meaning of what we do for each other and the world, and you took such grace and beauty and just offered yourself,’ she said. ‘It was profound.’
Comic Ryan Niemiller, who was born with severely shortened arms, once again turned his disability into comedy gold, also riffing on the Midwest, his ginger hair and fishing.
Comedy: ‘Before America’s Got Talent, comedy clubs didn’t want to book me on shows, ’cause they thought I was a novelty act,’ Ryan recalled. ‘Luckily, I was too stupid to quit’
‘Before America’s Got Talent, comedy clubs didn’t want to book me on shows, ’cause they thought I was a novelty act,’ Ryan recalled. ‘Luckily, I was too stupid to quit.’
‘I’m just like everybody else,’ he noted. ‘I have dreams. I’m living my dream right now.’
The audience stood up for him, and Howie said Ryan needed to be in the finals.
Finals: The audience stood up for him, and Howie said Ryan needed to be in the finals
‘From the first time you hit the stage to tonight, you have been killing it,’ Gabrielle said.
Voices of Service, the four-part harmonizing group made up of current and former military members, closed the show with a powerful version of OneRepublic’s 2016 song, Choke.
In their video package, they talked about their love for serving their country, but also grappled with the question of how to deal with the stress that their service entailed.
Killing it: ‘From the first time you hit the stage to tonight, you have been killing it,’ Gabrielle said
Trauma: ‘Everyday you’re wondering, ‘Am I coming back home?’ said singer Ron Henry, who admitted that music helped him deal with the trauma and nightmares he experienced
‘Everyday you’re wondering, ‘Am I coming back home?’ said singer Ron Henry, who admitted that music helped him deal with the trauma and nightmares he experienced.
‘There were times when I didn’t think I would be able to cope with this, but there are so many Americans suffering in silence,’ he noted. ‘This music that we’re doing can help them heal.’
Simon said it was the most outstanding vocal they’d done the entire series, and that it was fitting that it was done on 9/11, adding that they deserved to get into the finals.
‘The best part about it is that you put your purpose behind your passion,’ Julianne agreed.
‘What you’re doing has a purpose and it will continue to have a purpose,’ vowed Queen Latifah, whose father struggled himself after serving in Vietnam.
‘Keep doing what you’re doing because you are saving and changing lives.’
America’s Got Talent airs its result show Wednesday at 8 pm EST on NBC.
Guest judge: ‘What you’re doing has a purpose and it will continue to have a purpose,’ vowed Queen Latifah, whose father struggled himself after serving in Vietnam