Current:Home > News'AGT: Fantasy League' premiere: Simon Cowell feels 'dumped' after Mel B steals skating duo -TruePath Finance
'AGT: Fantasy League' premiere: Simon Cowell feels 'dumped' after Mel B steals skating duo
View
Date:2025-04-16 05:09:46
"AGT: Fantasy League" may be a judge’s dream, but it’s turning into a nightmare for Simon Cowell.
Team Heidi contestant Hans delivered the sass with his vivacious musical number during the Monday series premiere of the “America’s Got Talent” spinoff. On “Fantasy League,” “AGT” judges Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and returning judge Mel B assemble all-star teams consisting of fan-favorite contestants across “Got Talent” franchises.
Hans, who placed as a quarter finalist on “AGT” Season 13, hammed it up for his return, playing Liberace’s piano and playfully gyrating for his cover of Elton John’s “The Bitch is Back.” The German musician capped off the performance with an accordion solo and a cheeky shoutout to his “frenemy” Cowell. “I know you love it Simon,” Hans said.
Hans charmed Mel B with his energetic stage presence. “My cheeks are hurting me because you bring so much joy to the stage,” she said.
However, Hans was unable to make a fan of Cowell, who said the performance wasn’t his “cup of tea.”
“If I’m being honest with you, he can’t sing, he can’t dance,” to which Hans shot back, “If I can’t sing and I can’t dance, when am I taking over your job, babe?”
The judges will compete among themselves throughout the season as they mentor and guide their acts to victory, which includes a prize of $250,000.
Mel B splashes Simon Cowell with drink after Spice Girls insult
Cowell learned the hard way that you don’t mess with Girl Power.
The British entertainment mogul poked fun at Mel B’s girl-group past during the performance of Team Mel B contestant Tape Face. The mime comedian, who was a finalist on “AGT” Season 11, made Cowell part of his zany variety show act.
Tape Face invited Cowell to stand onstage and place his hands on a microphone stand while the New Zealand comic blindfolded him. After Cowell was blindfolded, Tape Face played a game of cup-and-ball, which earned roaring applause when he successfully sunk the ball into the cup. A stunned Cowell, who didn’t witness Tape Face’s triumph, walked back to his seat in confusion.
“That was brilliant,” Mel B said. “You know why it was so good? We got to see you, and we got to see Simon just standing there looking pointless.”
But Cowell didn’t take Mel B’s jab in stride. “I stood there. I didn’t sing. I felt like a Spice Girl,” he said.
Mel B quickly got revenge by grabbing her drink and splashing Cowell with the beverage.
“So, unfortunately Mel won’t be joining us for the rest of the series,” he joked afterward.
Howie Mandel joins puppeteer Shadow Ace in ‘genius’ performance
Shadow Ace is pulling back the curtain on his dark act.
The shadow puppet artist, who placed as a semifinalist on “AGT” Season 18, enlisted the help of his mentor Mandel for his “Fantasy League” debut. Performing in view of the audience, the Filipino puppeteer entertained with the bodacious dances moves of his shadow-play characters, which grooved to the beat of hip-hop classics such as “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot and Nelly’s “Hot in Herre” against a white backdrop lit by a spotlight.
Shadow Ace portrayed Mandel’s head as various props throughout the performance, including a turntable, a drum and a piano during a romantic pantomime of the Vanessa Carlton ballad “A Thousand Miles.”
“That was genius. Because weirdly, it made you realize how difficult this is,” Cowell said. “‘Cause sometimes you don’t want to see everything, but actually by seeing everything, it made it even funnier.”
Shadow Ace won over Mel B with his silly Mandel cameo.
“I could not stop laughing,” Mel B said. “You’ve brought me so much joy just bashing Howie’s head over and over. I loved it.”
Mel B steals Billy & Emily England from Simon Cowell with Golden Buzzer
With a Golden Buzzer in hand, all’s fair in love and war.
Team Simon duo Billy & Emily England floored the judges with its exhilarating roller-skating act, which saw Billy spin his sister Emily around at breakneck speed. The “AGT” Season 12 semifinalists upped the ante when Emily popped a series of balloons mid-air with flaming knives attached to her skates.
“Simon is very lucky to have you in his squad,” Mandel said. “This is one of the most dangerous, exciting stand-out acts we’ve ever had in ‘Got Talent’ history.”
But the Englands wouldn’t remain on Team Simon for very long. Mel B hit her Golden Buzzer button, which allowed her to steal the Las Vegas duo for her team and send them to the season finals.
“Honestly, when Simon called me (to be on the show), the 11-year-old Emily was a little bit upset,” Emily England revealed after the steal. “I really wanted to be part of Mel B’s team.”
Cowell was gutted by the blow to his “Fantasy League” dream team. “I actually feel like I’ve just been dumped,” he said.
Which ‘AGT: Fantasy League’ contestants made it to semifinals?
At the end of the night, host Terry Crews revealed which acts would be advancing to the semifinals round. Of the 10 contestants who performed, only five were voted through by the studio audience.
Up first was Team Howie’s V.Unbeatable, an acrobatic dance troupe that wowed with its high-flying flips and synchronized choreography.
Team Simon also scored a victory with singer-songwriter Kodi Lee, who melted hearts with his emotional performance of an original song.
Shadow Ace and sand artist Kseniya Simonova of Team Howie joined the winners’ circle on the strength of their captivating performances. And rounding out the top five was fellow Team Howie contestant Kristy Sellars, who dazzled with her graceful pole dancing number.
“Howie, you are on a streak,” Crews told Mandel.
Catch up on 'AGT':Dog trainer Adrian Stoica, furry friend Hurricane claim victory in Season 18 finale
Howie Mandel:‘AGT’ judge says his OCD is a 'vicious, dark circle.' Here's how he copes.
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- Burns, baby, Burns: New York Giants swing trade for Carolina Panthers star Brian Burns
- Burns, baby, Burns: New York Giants swing trade for Carolina Panthers star Brian Burns
- New Jersey lawmakers fast track bill that could restrict records access under open records law
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- Weezer to celebrate 30th anniversary of 'Blue Album' on concert tour with The Flaming Lips
- Cancer-causing chemical found in skincare brands including Target, Proactive, Clearasil
- Louisiana lawmakers set out on a clear path for conservative priorities
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Save Our Signal! Politicians close in on votes needed to keep AM radio in every car
Ranking
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- Lori Loughlin References College Admissions Scandal During Curb Your Enthusiasm Appearance
- Sister Wives' Maddie Brown Brush Honors Beautiful Brother Garrison Brown After His Death
- Kelly Rizzo Reacts to Criticism About Moving On “So Fast” After Bob Saget’s Death
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Yamaha recall: More than 30,000 power adaptors recalled over electrocution risk
- Nigeria police say 15 school children were kidnapped, days after armed gunmen abducted nearly 300
- How one dog and her new owner brought kindness into the lives of many
Recommendation
Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
'The Notebook' musical nails iconic Gosling-McAdams kiss, will trigger a 'good, hard cry'
Most automated driving systems aren’t good making sure drivers pay attention, insurance group says
Paul McCartney, Eagles, more stars to perform at Jimmy Buffett tribute show: Get tickets
Meta releases AI model to enhance Metaverse experience
Oscars get audience bump from ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer,’ but ratings aren’t quite a blockbuster
When is 2024 March Madness men's basketball tournament? Dates, times, odds and more
Bears say they’re eyeing a new home in Chicago, a shift in focus from a move to the suburbs