Who Will Win America's Got Talent? Atlanta Drum Academy In Contention With Impressive Audition
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The latest episode of “America's Got Talent” has seen a host of acts disrupt the odds at the top of the betting market.
Atlanta Drum Academy, led by eight-year-old Chioma, was the star of Episode 3, with host Terry Crews so impressed he pressed his Golden Buzzer for the group. The judges — Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara — were preparing to vote when Crews emerged from backstage to tell them there was no need.
Also in Episode 3, young ventriloquist Brynn Cummings brought back memories of Season 12 winner Darci Lynne. Cummings is the same age as Lynne was when she won the 2017 season of the talent show.
What's more, dancer Alexandr Leshchenko revealed he is "great friends" with former AGT dance crew act Light Balance, which finished third behind Lynne in the same season.
Cummings and Leshchenko are among the favorites to win this year's “America's Got Talent” after impressive auditions.
The AGT wannabes need at least three yes votes from the four judges to advance, but they can be buzzed off the competition. If one of the judges, or host Crews, hits the Golden Buzzer, the act will automatically progress to the live shows.
Mzansi Youth Choir received the first-ever Audience Golden Buzzer in the Season 18 premiere episode, and last week Cowell put pianist and singer Putri Ariani straight through to the live shows.
With these hypothetical odds provided by industry sports betting experts, we've looked into which remaining America's Got Talent contestants could have what it takes to be the show's Season 18 winner and land the $1 million prize.
Chioma's Golden Display
Chioma and The Atlanta Drum Academy are +300 second favorites to win this year's season after they went straight through to the live shows.
Prior to their audition, Chioma told Crews that he once had a dream of competing in AGT and receiving a Golden Buzzer.
After they had put in an energetic performance, Vergara told them, "I haven't seen anything like this before on this stage. You guys might have a very big chance to win this competition, because I think everyone is going to go crazy."
Cowell teased the youngsters. "I didn't like it,” he joked. “I absolutely loved it! This is one of my favorite, favorite auditions this year.”
Crews then pressed the Golden Buzzer and told Chioma, "Your dream came true."
The Academy is narrowly behind Ariani, who remains +250 favorite to win this year's contest. The Academy is ahead of Mzansi Youth Choir, which is at +350 in the betting.
After Cummings reminded viewers of Lynn, Cowell praised her as "so talented and so charming.” She is now +400 to triumph in the competition.
Leshchenko's Light Balance Inspiration
Leshchenko is also +400 joint fourth favorite to win this year's contest after he and his partner, Lina, wowed the crowd with their dance show, complete with special lighting effects.
The pair headed to the US from Ukraine, the same country of origin as their good pals Light Balance, who finished third on the 12th season in 2017.
Leshchenko is narrowly ahead of Episode 2 head balancing duo Ramadhani Brothers, who are +450 to win AGT from +400.
The pair also is the same price as new act Ahren Belisle, an engineer in Canada who was born with cerebral palsy and uses a text-to-speech app on his phone to deliver his stand-up comedy performances, in which he pokes fun at his disability.
After his audition, Mandel predicted Belisle won't be an engineer "much longer,” and Vergara told him, "I hope that you are the one comedian that finally wins AGT."
Following Belisle's impressive performance, he is now ahead of Episode 1 star D'Corey Johnson in the betting, with the aspiring Broadway singer now +500, from +450.
'Life-Changing' Moment For Fisherman Abante
Roland Abante joins Johnson at +500 in the betting market after the singer, who is a fisherman and a delivery driver by trade, wowed with his rendition of "When a Man Loves a Woman.”
Abante, who is from the Philippines, needed an interpreter to converse with the judges, but there was nothing lost in translation about their praise for him.
After the audition, Vergara tipped Abante to big things to come, telling him, “You're going to have to stop fishing," and Mandel described it as a “life-changing" moment for him. He goes in ahead of the Sainted Trap Choir, which is +550 to win AGT.
Episode 3 stars Herwan Legaillard, a sword swallower, and hula hooper Grace Good are +600 after progressing with four yeses each.
The two performers have bumped several acts down in price, including magician Trigg Watson, now +650 from +600; heavy metal band Steel Panther, now +700; and dancer Lambros Garcia, now +750 from +700, while country singer Mitch Rossell remains at +750.
Andrew's Note Perfect Audition
YouTube sensation Alfie Andrew, who is 11 years old, received yet more acclaim when he went in front of the AGT judges. He sang Lady Gaga's "Holy My Hand,” and Vergara praised the youngster for "hitting every note.”
Andrew enters the market at +800, the same price as stand-up comedian Orlando Leyba and a slightly shorter price than violinist Philip Bowen (+850), who both progressed in Episode 1.
Guitarist John Wines made his AGT debut in Episode 3, and Cowell said he "turns into somebody else" when he performs.
The audience was desperate for more from Wines but will have to make do with the next round, which is where TikTok sensation Zoe Eriann (+900), Japanese dance group Avantgardey (+1000) and Shadow artist Shadow Ace (+1100) also will be found.
Pace Speeds Into Next Round
One person who might find himself fortunate to have progressed into the next round is Riccardo Pace.
While it appeared he was going to belt out some opera during his audition, he received an immediate no from Cowell after lowering his mic and performing percussion with his hands.
Mandel and Klum liked the unusual act, and Vergara had the deciding vote.
She put him through because of his unique act, as well as some pressure from the crowd to say yes, and Pace is now a +1500 outsider to win this year's “America's Got Talent.”
He and danger act Ray Wold are the only two who have progressed through this season's auditions without receiving four yeses, after Mandel hit his red buzzer for Wold and Cowell did the same on Tuesday night for Pace.
Wold is at the bottom of the market at +1600, below magician Mandy Muden (+1200), Ukrainian acrobatic trio Three G (+1400), and dinosaur costume-wearing acrobat Trex Flips (+1400).
Next week will see a host of other acts audition for the judges, hoping to progress to the next round.
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