Top 11 Finals (liveblog)

America’s Got Talent 2022 two-night finale guest stars revealed
America’s Got Talent 2022: Final Powers List: The Ranked Candidates!

VOTE: Go to NBC.com/AGTVote and/or through the “AGT” app (available through Google Play and the App Store). The limit is 10 votes per act per email for each voting method.

Tomorrow night (September 14), a winner will be crowned at the end of a star-studded two-hour finale.

Kristy Sellars – Multimedia pole dancer

This evening, Kristy will perform a piece dedicated to her daughter who will soon become a teenager. She only had a week to put everything in place. She performs alongside a shadow dancer, who becomes a monster. She pushes him away. The visuals depict fears and anxieties, such as a teenager might face. It clings to the rafter before sliding down the post dramatically. The act isn’t as stunning as its first and second performances, but it’s still compelling. Kristy is an incredible athlete.

Howie calls it authentic and perfection. “I think you just set a bar…you’re the one to beat tonight.” Heidi calls her a great storyteller. Sofia thinks she is getting better and better. “I’ve never seen anything like this before,” says Simon, who also believes everyone has upped their game with every performance.

Nicolas RIBS – Magician

Nicolas is super nervous this week, says his translator/daughter. He is holding a drawing she made when she was 7 years old. He places the page on his magic board and the elements come to life. His act is pretty cool. Roses appear and disappear. It’s a very sweet ode to his daughter. It tugs at the heartstrings. he ends the routine with a beautiful sentiment: “The real magic is family.” Technically he didn’t up his game, but this time he got the feeling.

Heidi likes that he shows us his life. Sofia thinks the world needs her magic. “I hope America votes for you tonight.” Simon doesn’t think it’s any better than the acts that came before it. He hated music. He compared it to an aunt playing the piano after lunch. What a weird comment. Howie says, “You made the impossible possible. It was amazing.

Chapel Hart – Country Trio – Group Buzzer

This week, the group will sing an original titled “American Pride” which they promise will show America what’s in their hearts. They become emotional upon meeting Terry Crews. Oh no. The lead singer is having pitch issues this week. This ballad reveals a vocal weakness. Once they sing in harmony, the performance improves. The lyrics talk about the need to bring everyone together. Another solo by another singer is even more pungent. Are they having trouble getting along? The song ends, and there are tears.

Sofia calls them “sincere”. Simon was standing. He wished they could sing it a’cappella. He likes the message. He only mentions the shaky voice in passing. Howie preferred their first two performances. I agree. Simon disagrees. He loves the choir and that they express their love for America.

Mike E. Winfield – Comedian

Mike is the only Top 11 comedian. Mildly funny, he beat funnier comics for a spot in the finals. Never mind. He talks a bit about people recognizing him after appearing on AGT. And we return to the jokes about his adult “stepfather”. He adds jokes about his 12-year-old child who he calls “real kid”. What? He’s telling a breastfeeding joke that’s kinda gross. He was funnier before, and that’s not saying much.

Simon feels all he had to do “you did it”. He calls Mike lively and funny. “You gave yourself a chance to win.” Eh. Howie hopes he wins and offers to work with him again. Heidi wishes her good luck tonight. Sofia calls him a star. “I want to go out with you.

Dancing with the stars announces its new streaming season on Disney Plus. It’s NBC!

Metaphysics – Deepfake tech

They promise to push fake technology as far as they can tonight. “Elvis” takes the stage to introduce the act. It doesn’t look like him. AND IT’S SCARY LOOKING FOR HELL. So “Elvis” is the big star they promised. I hate that. Is it my TV or is lip sync off. Oh. Heidi and Sofia are background singers. I must say. “Simon” is on the screen, and I don’t know what’s going on? Is it a duet with Elvis? It’s a big mess. They tried to do too much.

“I was amazing!” said Heidi. “It’s my favorite act of the night.” Sofia thinks they are “so much fun”. Simon calls it the most amazing original act they’ve had on the show. The judges are flattered to like them. “You’re going to have your own show in Vegas,” predicts Howie

FUN FACT! AGT and Aamerican idol alum Makayla Phillips sang and replaced backup singer “Heidi”. The show should really take a minute and feature the singers doing all the work.

Mayyas – Dance Group – Buzzer Sofia

This week, the band is working with the fans. The dancers seem to come out of nowhere! There’s belly dancing this week. Most artistic of all acts, I hope the band has a chance of winning. They never did the same thing twice. The choreography is never repetitive. Another spellbinding performance.

Sofia says…the crowd is drowning her! “Another level.” Heidi says, “This is what a million dollar act looks like.” Simon calls them “amazing…I’m starting to feel a buzz beyond the show. It’s global. Howie calls them his favorite number. The audience begins to sing behind them. They should have appeared later in the series!

Avery Dixon – Saxophonist – Terry’s Buzzer

When he returned after his audition, Atlanta celebrated him instead of bullying him. He performs Chaka Khan’s classic “Ain’t Nobody” with a band and background vocals. He is a good musician, a VERY good musician. But it’s his emotional background that could propel him into the Top 5.

Sofia wants a drink every time she hears it. Poor Avery looks confused. Simon thinks he was controlling the scene. “Brilliant song choice. You have really succeeded. Heidi is “so happy” for him.

Celia Munoz – Ventriloquist (Wildcard)

Sofia chose Celia as the wild card choice and America voted her into the finals. She’s going to add a “little bit of magic” to her act this time. She plays a medium that brings back the spirit of an opera singer. She sings, throwing her voice into a “ghost”. It’s clever! She chews an apple while singing! She’s back in rare form this week. Better than his hearing. How can she sing opera without moving her mouth? Surprising. It’s time to relaunch a shot! Oh no. Now she is possessed and a “ghost” escapes from her mouth. This week’s act is so much better than last time. This number had everything to please: ventriloquism, singing, comedy and magic.

Simon says it was “so much better” than his performance in the semi-finals. Yes. “Great,” he says. Sofia says “it’s such a fun and complete act.” Howie compares her to a vaudeville performer. He likes that she doesn’t have puppets. Heidi calls her a rare talent. Last time, she thought sentimentality could carry her. He does not have. It’s so good that she got a second chance.

Sara James – Teen Singer – Simon’s Buzzer

She sings the song of the summer… 1985 ET 2022 – “Running Up the Hill” by Kate Bush. I was wondering who would be the first singing contestant to cover this new hit song. Glad to see the kids catching Queen Kate Bush! The arrangement removes the rat-a-tat drumbeat, turning it into a piano ballad. She’s good, especially on the last chorus when her voice opens up. She’s a 14-year-old girl in the body of a 30-year-old.

Simon can’t believe the young Polish singer pulled off such an iconic song. “You just gave yourself a chance after that.” Howie thinks many took a chance tonight. But thinks she’ll be here in America a lot more. Sara tried fried chicken for the first time recently and loved it. Heidi calls it one of the show’s biggest discoveries this season. “You’re already a star,” says Sofia.

Yu Hojin – Magician

Terry asks Simon to sign a piece of paper for Yu to use in his act. Simon said no to his audition, but eventually Yu won him over. Eh. Nicolas RIBS is a more creative magician. No black t-shirt this time, but he still uses dark surfaces, making it look like he’s pulling things out of a secret compartment. His act tells the sentimental story of his road to AGT. With his small pieces of paper, he constructed a silhouette of the Statue of Liberty. I expected a big magical finish. It was not this.

Sofia calls it “magical”. Simon is happy that he “helped” him. “I kind of said no on purpose.” Oh, the hindsight. He calls him a “brilliant showman”. Howie said: “You showed us the magic of recycling. Jokes! “You are my favorite magician this year.”

Drake Milligan – country singer-songwriter

This afternoon, we received another press release from Drake’s record label, BBR, reminding us that the country singer is in the final, AND that his next album is out Thursday. Will Drake promote his album on the show? Terry mentions it VERY briefly after his performance and after the judges’ comments.

Instead of singing a new original, Drake rehearses his audition performance, “Sounds Like Something I’d Do.” american idol and The voice contestants often repeat their favorite performances during the finale, but this being only her third performance in the series, something new would have been nice. But now, the song is his single, and the label wants to promote it. According to the press release, this will impact country radio next Monday, September 19. That said, he is an entertaining performer and his band is top notch. He could win it all.

Simon repeats that he admires Drake for not walking away after his song reached number one. Why would he? Each appearance is more promo for his single and his album! Simon thinks he was right to come back to AGT with a cover. “I really think this is going to be the start of your career.” Sofia wants to buy a ticket for her concert. Heidi calls her a star. “The audience loves you…you’re the one to beat.” Howie says, “I think you just brought him home. I think you’re a star,” he adds of singing his audition song again, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Howie thinks the contest is between Mayyas and Drake Drake says his new album is “all thanks to you,” as if the album wasn’t in the works before he even auditioned.

Drake will play with Jon Pardi on the final tomorrow night.