Who Will Win 'America's Got Talent'? Gabriel Henrique Buzzes Into Contention
Article By
Last Updated: 
"America's Got Talent" returned on Tuesday night after a one-week break from the audition process, and the latest episode didn't disappoint.
$1 Million Prize On The Line
The season 18 auditions are nearly complete, but Brazilian contestant Gabriel Henrique sang himself into contention in Episode 9 and, in the process, was described as the lovechild of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.
He was sent straight through to the live shows thanks to judge Sofia Vergara pressing her Golden Buzzer.
All four panelists, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Vergara, as well as host Terry Crews and the studio audience, have now selected their Golden Buzzer picks this season.
While drumline group Pulse Percussion missed out on a fast-track pass to the live shows in Episode 9, they may not need one after they impressed on Tuesday night.
The group is now level in price with Mzansi Youth Choir, which received the show's first-ever Audience Golden Buzzer in Episode 1.
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.
Henrique Running To The Semifinals
Singer Henrique required an interpreter to speak to the panelists, but he didn't need one when he was belting out an incredible version of "I Want to Run to You.”
While Henrique appeared a little nervous ahead of his performance, Mandel said he sounded like the "best and finest pop diva there ever was", and Klum joked he could be the child of Houston and Carey, adding: "You are incredible.”
Vergara described Henrique as "so perfect" and “spectacular," before giving him the highest praise of all by pressing her Golden Buzzer.
Henrique is now +300 joint second favorite to win this season's “AGT," behind +250 co-favorites, dance act Murmuration and singer Putri Ariani, who is blind.
The pair have topped the futures betting market for weeks now, and will be tough acts to beat in the latter stages.
Henrique joins previous Golden Buzzer recipients Lavender Darcangelo, who lit up Episode 6 with her incredible singing voice, and Chioma and The Atlanta Drum Academy at +300.
Percussion group Pulse Percussion also wowed the crowd on Tuesday night. They have previously won world championships, but can they triumph on "AGT"?
Cowell certainly thought so, describing them as "absolutely amazing" and saying he could see them performing in Las Vegas.
They are +350 to win season 18, even with dancing group Atai Show and Mzansi Youth Choir.
Zion Clark Swings Into Contention
Acrobat Zion Clark, born without legs due to a "super rare" condition, impressed the audience on Tuesday night with his series of strength-based exercises.
Cowell told him he has "such an incredible personality" and said Clark is "what this show is absolutely all about.”
The star is now +400 to win "America's Got Talent", alongside military choir 82nd Airborne Chorus, female instrumental brass band MOS, and Adrian Stoica and his dog, Hurricane.
Another pooch also impressed in Episode 9. Animated vocal duo Noodle and Bun are +450, even with ventriloquist Brynn Cummings, dancer Alexandr Leshchenko and 10-year-old magician Ryland Petty, after receiving huge praise from the judges.
Cowell is no stranger to the act after Noddle appeared on the 16th season of "Britain's Got Talent" earlier this year, and the animated canine's voice turned out to be courtesy of "AGT: All Stars" contestant Tom Ball.
Noodle and Bun performed a cover of "I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” and Cowell told the animated act, "We've produced this show for nearly 20 years, and this is the best singing dog we've ever had.”
Mandel was also a fan, calling the animal act the "most amazing thing ever.”
Elsewhere, a host of contestants are in the running to triumph this season at +500, including a hat-trick of duos.
Vocal pair 2 Moms United By One Heart, similarly-named Duo Just Two Men, and acrobats Duo Desire are all +500, as are fellow acrobat Chen Lei, vocal group Freedom Singers, head balancing duo Ramadhani Brothers, and stand-up comedian Ahren Belisle.
Acrobatic group Warrior Squad will be swinging into the semifinals as +550 chances in futures betting, the same as dancer Eseniia Mikheeva, singer Dani Kerr and aspiring Broadway singer D'Corey Johnson.
Several contestants are at +600, including singer Roland Abante, Sainted Trap Choir, sword sallower Herwan Legaillard and hula hooper Grace Good.
Pole dancer El Invertebrado could prove to be tough opposition, and some will no doubt fear going against Mariandrea, a 14-year-old dancer from Mexico, who was previously praised for being "unbelievably talented.”
She is +650, even in price with singer Trent Toney and El Invertebrado.
Summer Is Here
Singer Summer Rios made her "AGT" debut on Tuesday night, and she didn't disappoint.
The star belted out an emotional version of country tune "Something In Orange,” which inspired one of the comments of the night when Mandel told the Pizza Hut worker. "You sounded like you swallowed Rihanna.” She is now +700 to win the season, even with fellow Episode 9 debutants Duo Acero.
The acrobat pairing of Colombian couple Edison Acero and Giselle Souza took on dangerous pole stunts, and Colombian-born panelist Vergara helped to translate for them.
Cowell praised the pair as "really, really, really good,” and they are even in the betting with Episode 7 star Cakra Khan, cellist BJ Griffin, vocalists Sharpe Family Singers and magicians Anna DeGuzman and Trigg Watson.
Klum was impressed with Episode 9 band True Villains, even saying she would love to buy tickets for one of their shows.
The group performed Billie Eilish tune "Bad Guy” and are now +750 to win the season, the same price as fellow Tuesday night auditonee Kylie Frey.
The singer and guitarist had a mixed reaction from the judges, with Cowell being really impressed with Frey, who performed a song about her grandpa, "Horses in Heaven.”
Cowell said he "really, really liked" Frey, but Mandel wasn't so impressed and buzzed her off, which led to the audience booing him.
Fortunately, the other three panelists were in agreement, and Frey advanced to the next round.
True Villains and Frey sit alongside Episode 7 star Magic Mike Jacobson, Ninah Sampaio — who performed Pink’s song "Try" while solving a Rubik's Cube in her audition — heavy metal group Steel Panther, dancer Lambros Garcia and country singer Mitch Rossell.
Comedians Barry Brewer Jr., Maureen Langan and Orlando Leyba are all +800, as is YouTube singing sensation Alfie Andrew.
And there are several acts clinging onto three-figure prices.
Dancer 40 Pounds, dance trio Let It Happen, dance group The Zoo, violinist Philip Bowen and guitarist John Wines are all +850, while drummer Timothy Fletcher, whom Klum praised for his "perfect million-dollar smile,” is at +900, alongside tap dancer Justin Jackson, Episode 5 singing sensation Lachuné and TikTok star Zoe Erianna.
Bomba Near The Bottom After Baring All
Puppet Simon and The Cow Belles are still propping up the "AGT" futures betting market at +1800, but Bomba Circus aren't too far behind following their nude antics on Tuesday night.
The comedy trio performed naked, but used ping pong bats to hide their modesty.
Despite some gasps from the audience, Klum was clearly a fan and joked they needed to invest in smaller bats.
They are +1500 to win the season, even with hand percussionist Riccardo Pace and just in front of danger act Ray Wold (+1600).
Several acts are just into four-figure prices, including contortion duo sisters The Rybka Twins, dance group Phil Wright and Parent Jam, dance group Avantgardey, viral dancer Erica Coffelt and magician Sangsoon Kim, who are all +1000.
Sword-swallower Andrew Stanton and shadow artist Shadow Ace are +1100, just ahead of Episode 9 debutants H.B. Monte and Twinjas, who both impressed Cowell. The panelist admitted he "loved" rapper and DJ Monte, and he praised martial arts duo Twinjas for being talented.
Both contestants had montaged auditions, but they progressed with four yeses and are +1200 to win the season, alongside novelty magician Enishi, whom Cowell wasn't previously a fan of, novelty act Poetic Flight, country singing duo Trailer Flowers and magician Mandy Muden.
Fellow magician Artem Shchukin is +1300, just ahead of dinosaur costume-wearing acrobat Trex Flips, danger act Thomas Vu and Ukrainian acrobatic trio Three G, who are all +1400.
Next week, the final auditions episode will take place, before the semifinals get underway later this month.
Be first to get our exclusive sports offers!
Join today to stay up to date on your states gambling news and offers.
Updated by
Last Updated:
