The "America's Got Talent" crew returns!

In the premiere episode on Tuesday, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, and host Terry Crews reconvened at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in LA, the show's longstanding venue, to uncover new talent—or possibly the lack thereof—as the competition enters its 19th season.

The two-hour segment on NBC showcased 11 auditions, including two golden buzzer moments, a display of two-pointe shoes, a few unsettling contortionists, and several instances of seemingly rearranged fingers.

Naturally, there were a handful of disappointments, including acts involving excessive toilet plungers and a reluctant dog on the "AGT" stage. However, amidst the judges' grimaces, there were also genuine displays of talent and heartfelt performances from some of the featured artists.


The notion that talent is solely cultivated on the "America's Got Talent" stage may fade when you realize some contestants already have a head start in their careers. (Spoiler alert: one of the singers featured can be heard on Beyoncé's record-breaking "Cowboy Carter.") However, this doesn't diminish their worthiness of a national platform. After all, it's all about delivering entertainment.

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Here are the standout moments from the Season 19 premiere of "AGT."

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Reyna Roberts, known for her vocals on Beyoncé's 'Blackbiird,' showcases an original performance.

While Reyna Roberts might not be immediately recognizable to "AGT" viewers, her sound might ring a bell.

That's because she was among the Black country artists enlisted by Beyoncé for tracks like "Blackbiird" and "Tyrant" in "Cowboy Carter." (However, this significant achievement isn't highlighted on the show.)

Dressed in a coordinated red leather ensemble, including thigh-high boots and her distinctive long red hair, Reyna commanded the stage with the confidence reminiscent of artists like Lady A or Carrie Underwood, effortlessly hitting the high notes.

While Mandel was the sole dissenter among the judges, stating, "It didn't hook me," the rest of the panel unanimously gave the country artist three yeses.

"I'm absolutely thrilled, beyond thrilled, that you decided to grace our stage," remarked Cowell.

Ballerina achieves one of the most challenging feats witnessed on "AGT.


Ashlee Montague convincingly demonstrated to a skeptical Cowell that ballet can indeed captivate audiences.

Described in her Instagram bio as a Guinness World Record holder, "extreme ballerina," and former Cirque du Soleil performer, Ashlee began her performance with a routine that would have been impressive on its own. However, she surpassed expectations by ascending a platform at least a dozen feet high to execute a stunt that left everyone on the edge of their seats.


Balancing on pointe in her ballet shoes, Ashlee impressively maintained her equilibrium as she delicately tip-toed across the narrow lips of 10 glass bottles.

Cowell, who had earlier muttered that "nobody really enjoys ballet," found himself retracting his statement.

Ashlee's dedication to four weeks of relentless rehearsal bore fruit as she successfully navigated the props—an achievement that brought her to tears and left the judges eager to grant her their approval.

"You've managed to make it captivating," Cowell praised Ashlee for her extreme interpretation of ballet, noting that her performance was "one of the most challenging acts we've witnessed in a long while.

Who was awarded the Golden Buzzer?

Learnmore Jonasi, a Zimbabwean comedian residing in the U.S. who mastered English by watching stand-up specials, received a standing ovation for his performance. Contrasting the rural village he hails from with the American culture he's encountered, he left Cowell asserting that he was "among the funniest individuals we've ever had.


According to his website, Learnmore has garnered attention from Steve Harvey's Spotlight Contest and is represented by a booking agent and a manager. While he may not be entirely undiscovered, he undoubtedly won over both the judges and the audience. Adding to his accolades, he had the privilege of receiving the Golden Buzzer from one of his idols, Terry Crews.

Meanwhile, Klum selected Richard Goodall, the last audition of the evening, for her Golden Buzzer. The 55-year-old elementary school custodian, who has served in the profession for 23 years, nervously took the stage wearing a newsboy cap and rectangular glasses.

Richard wowed the crowd with his flawless rendition of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'." Remarkably, this trip to LA marked his first time flying on an airplane.

Although Richard's viral Journey performance at his students' graduation in 2022 earned praise from Steve Perry and the iconic band, he didn't make it onto "The Voice," as he shared in a TikTok post nearly two years ago. Nonetheless, he now holds the esteemed title of Cowell's "hero."