Who Will Win 'America's Got Talent'? Chibi Unity's Golden Chance Of Reaching Finale
The penultimate "America's Got Talent" Season 18 qualifier episode saw just one Golden Buzzer act compete, leaving things wide open for the other 10 acts.
Singer Putri Ariani is the new +100 favorite to win the contest's $1 million prize after sailing through last week alongside Mzansi Youth Choir, which is at +250.
Chibi Unity's 'Special Moments'
Only two acts will progress out of the 11 that competed in Tuesday night's live qualifiers, and Group Golden Buzzer act Chibi Unity didn't disappoint judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara.
Mandel said they were "by far the best act of the night", and Klum admitted they gave the panelists "so many special moments.”
Following the first three qualifiers, only one Golden Buzzer act, Chioma and the Atlanta Drum Academy, has been eliminated.
Chibi Unity, who are +250 to win the competition, has a strong chance of progressing, and that would leave Tuesday's 10 remaining acts competing for one more place in the finale.
It would be no surprise if that went to acrobat Zion Clark, who was born without legs, after he wowed the judges by navigating an obstacle course before playing the drums.
Klum asked America to vote, and Cowell went one better by predicting Clark, who is +400, had booked himself a place in the final — before any of the other 10 acts had performed.
Roland Abante In Contention
Should one of Chibi Unity or Clark miss out on a finale place, singer Roland Abante (+600) could be ready to pounce.
Klum wished she had a Golden Buzzer to send Abante straight through to the finale after enjoying his performance of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You.”
Another star tipped to go all the way was shadow puppet act Shadow Ace (+1100), who Vergara predicted "could actually win" the competition.
She was also full of praise for +500 choir Freedom Singers, describing their performance as “perfection.”
In a wide open qualifier, 11-year-old singer D’Corey Johnson (+550) could even land a finale spot after he received a standing ovation from the judges for his performance of Rose Royce's "Wishing on a Star.”
Cowell Buzzes Namesake Puppet Simon
But the judge was less than impressed with his namesake act, Puppet Simon and The Cow Belles. They look doomed after Tuesday night's display, which saw them buzzed by Cowell and Vergara, and they are now +2500 in the betting.
Singer-songwriter Kylie Frey's (+750) potential place in the finale is also in doubt after Cowell described her performance as a "manic mess,” but he did praise "naturally funny" comic Orlando Leyba, who is +800.
Magician Anna Deguzman (+700) made history as the first ever close-up female magician to make it to the "AGT" live shows, but the finale could be a step too far for her and 15-year-old dancer Mariandrea (+650).
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