America's Got Talent: The Champions (2019–…): Season 2, Episode 5 - The Champions Semi Finals - full transcript

‐ Over the past four weeks,

we've seen the best
of the best

compete for the chance
to be crowned

best in the world.

‐ Four acts are already
in the finals.

‐ Boogie Storm,

Silhouettes,

Angelina Jordan,

V. Unbeatable.

Tonight, 12 acts will perform.

Six will move one step
closer to that dream.



But for six more,

it's game over.

Let the games begin.

Welcome
to "AGT: The Champions,"

the semifinals!

[cheers and applause]

[Fall Out Boy's "Champion"]

‐ ♪ If I can live
through this ♪

♪ If I can live through this ♪

♪ I can do anything ♪

♪ ♪

‐ All right.

Twelve acts
have made it to tonight.

And to get here,
they've had to beat



some of the best performers
in the entire world.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Now, there are some tough
decisions to be made tonight

about who gets through,
and that's why

we have our panel of super fans
from sea to shining sea.

They come from all 50 states
of America,

representing
all the different folks

and opinions you find
in this great country.

[cheers and applause]

And show some love for
the "AGT: Champions" judges!

‐ ♪ I can do anything ♪

♪ If I can live through this ♪

‐ Now, Simon,
you always say

you wanna see something new
from the acts.

But is there a risk
if they try to push too hard?

‐ I think you've got to be
better than your first round.

For me, one word,
progression, that's it.

‐ Oh, that's it.

[cheers and applause]

All right.
First up,

here's an Australian comedian
who's just seven years old,

but in the last round,
he roasted me

and the judges
like a total pro.

‐ He did.
‐ Brace yourselves.

Here's JJ Pantano.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Welcome back to "America's
Got Talent: The Champions."

‐ Thank you.

My name's Julian Joseph Fafny
Pierre McCurry Pantano

but don't worry, don't worry,
you can call me JJ.

[cheers and applause]

Backstage,
there are five hairdressers,

three makeup artists,

and a whole team
of nutritionists.

‐ [laughs]

And that's just to maintain
Simon's new look.

[cheers and applause]

‐ He's vicious.

‐ I love to make people laugh,
and I'm pretty sure

I'll always love doing it.

‐ Hey.

‐ JJ's sense of humor
has always come naturally.

We got in the elevator today
and he said,

"It's 1,200 kilos."
He looks at me and says,

"We might be pushing the limits,
Dad."

Like, it just‐‐

‐ He did.
‐ I said, "Thanks, buddy."

[upbeat piano music]

[tires screeching]

‐ Ever since I was little,

it's been my dream
to come to Hollywood.

That dream actually already
is starting to come true

because of this.

So, that's why
I definitely think

that this can make my dream
fully come true,

if that makes any sense.

[imitates explosion]

Going into the semi‐finals,

I've been researching
the judges,

writing new jokes.

I know that I'm ready.

I just hope
that the judges are.

[cheers and applause]

[dynamic pop music]

[laughter]

Hi, everyone.

[cheers and applause]

Heidi,

you've been a supermodel
for 27 years now.

And like all of us,

you've been getting
a little older,

but I've been noticing
that the boys you've dated

have been getting
a little younger.

‐ True.

Yup. True.

‐ So I was thinking
maybe in another 10 years.

‐ [laughs]

‐ But no promises.

You might be too old
for me by then.

‐ Oh!

[audience oohs]

‐ Howie, you've been
in a lot of TV shows.

‐ Yeah.

‐ And like Simon,

you've launched some careers.

For example, you discovered
Meghan Markle

on your show
"Deal or No Deal."

And now America sent her off
to England

to become a princess,

and in return,

America's got...

Alesha Dixon.

[laughter]

[cheers and applause]

I'm not sure
who approved that deal.

Alesha, last time I was here,

I got you confused
with Alicia Keys.

‐ Yeah.

‐ So I'd like to take
this opportunity

to publicly apologize.

[audience awws]

To Alicia Keys.

[laughter]

[cheers and applause]

‐ Now it's you.

‐ Simon...

‐ That was a great act,
well done, well done.

‐ [laughs]

Simon, I did find out

that you wanna be, like,

cryogenically frozen
when you die.

‐ Yes.

‐ With some of the things
you've said on the show,

I'm not sure
you can get any colder.

‐ Ooh.

‐ Looking at your face now,

I think you've started
the process already.

‐ [laughs]

[cheers and applause]

‐ He's a bad boy.

‐ He's got worse.

‐ Thank you, everyone.

I'm JJ Pantano.
‐ Oh, my God.

[cheers and applause]

[upbeat music]

♪ ♪

‐ JJ Pantano!

[cheers and applause]

Howie.

‐ Oh, and first of all,
you are so adorable,

and so mean,
and adorably mean.

‐ I think
that's a compliment.

‐ Yes.
It is a compliment.

‐ Thank you.

‐ Heidi.

‐ Look at you‐‐already
you're driving a convertible.

You have so many fans.

Welcome to Hollywood.
You fit right in.

‐ Thank you.

‐ You, honestly,
are absolutely hilarious.

Why is it I love you
insulting me?

[laughter]

‐ I really, really hope
we get insulted again

in the finals.
You deserve to be there.

‐ Yes.

‐ Good luck tonight, JJ.

Make some noise
for JJ Pantano.

‐ Bye, JJ!

‐ He doesn't seem
to be nervous at all.

‐ No.

‐ What a great way
to start off the evening.

‐ Yes.
‐ Yes.

‐ By the way, I don't
wanna freeze myself anymore.

No one told me
you have to chop your head off.

‐ What?

‐ So you come back
without a head.

So it's [indistinct].
‐ That's no fun.

‐ No, you come back
without a body.

‐ What?
‐ They give you a body.

I think you keep your head.

‐ Yeah, but I'll be
about a hundred.

‐ [laughing]

‐ But your head
would look your age.

[laughter]

‐ Coming up.
‐ Oh my God,

how hard did I hit him?!

‐ You felt better tonight

than you did on the main show.

‐ Oh.

‐ Oh!

‐ You did a fantastic job.

I'm really impressed.

‐ You are incredible.

‐ And, darlings,

I could win "America's
Got Talent: The Champions."

[cheers and applause]

‐ You have a chance
of being the world champion.

‐ Whoa!

‐ Oh my God!

‐ But right now,
it's down to the super fans.

Good luck.

[cheers and applause]

‐ If you want to know
what determination

and spirit look like,

check out this 12‐year‐old
violinist.

Music was his escape
for some tough times,

but it's brought him here
to "Champions."

He is Tyler Butler‐Figueroa.

[cheers and applause]

The next act
going into the semi‐final is...

Tyler Butler‐Figueroa!

‐ Watching Tyler go through,
I was so proud of him.

I've definitely seen
a different side of Tyler

for the "America's Got Talent:
Champions."

‐ It has been a really long
journey to get here

and I am so grateful
to have another chance

to keep fighting.

‐ He's been through
so much with his cancer.

Plenty of times,
I felt like just giving up.

But then I was like, no,
look at Tyler,

he's not giving up,
so I can't.

So, he was an inspiration
to me.

[warm music]

This performance tonight
is very emotional for Tyler.

‐ Going through cancer
changes the way you see things.

I'm grateful for having life

and having music
to express my feelings.

I don't want anyone else
to have to go through cancer.

But I really want to share
with everybody

how beautiful the world is
through my eyes.

[cheers and applause]

[instrumental
"What A Wonderful World"]

♪ ♪

‐ "Wonderful World."

[cheers and applause]

‐ ♪ The colors of the rainbow ♪

♪ So pretty in the sky ♪

♪ Are also on the faces ♪

♪ Of people going by ♪

♪ And I think to myself ♪

♪ What a wonderful... ♪

♪ World ♪

[cheers and applause]

‐ Tyler Butler‐Figueroa!

Alesha.

‐ Yeah.
So the last time we saw you,

obviously you were dancing away
and I love that,

but it was so cool tonight
to see this other side of you.

It was just really poignant,
a beautiful song.

‐ Thank you.
‐ I feel really proud of you.

‐ Thank you.
‐ Well done.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Howie.

‐ That was absolutely
beautiful,

emotional, captivating.

And as we keep saying,
only six acts can go through.

The super fans have to vote.

Good luck, buddy.
‐ Thank you.

‐ Simon.

‐ Tyler, you're playing
what is one

of the most difficult
instruments in the world

to play well,
let alone play brilliantly.

And actually my advice
would be,

if the super fans
put you through,

I wouldn't even have anyone else
onstage with you next time.

I would just have you playing
the most beautiful song

with that beautiful instrument

with that beautiful smile
of yours.

And then you could actually
win the show this year, Tyler.

‐ Wow.
‐ Thank you.

‐ We'll see.

‐ People, give it up
for Tyler Butler‐Figueroa!

This magician has already
had a rollercoaster ride

on "Britain's Got Talent."

Now he's here on "Champions"
to prove to the whole world

he is the best.

Here's Marc Spelmann as X.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Some people know me
as Marc Spelmann.

Some people know me as X.

[dramatic music]

X is an extension of me,
the best of me.

‐ It was probably
your best performance

we've seen from you so far.

‐ Being on "Champions"
has enabled me to share X

with the world

and the great people
of America.

When I looked out
into the audience,

I realized
we are all connected.

For me, it has always been
about giving a message of hope

and that we all have
the ability

to change our worlds.

We must truly believe
anything is possible

in order to achieve
our full potential.

And I'm ready to reach mine,
to be a champion.

[distorted voice] I am X.

And X is here to win.

[cheers and applause]

Good evening, America.

It is sincerely a pleasure
to share X with you all.

‐ Oh, ah, gee.

‐ We must always cherish
the true value

of each and every moment
before it becomes a memory.

In this life,
it isn't about what we have

but the time we have
that truly counts.

I would like to invite
the incredible Terry Crews

to the stage.

Please take a seat.

I have a mask
for you to wear.

You will not be able to see
anything while it is on.

This will enable you to enter
your subconscious mind fully.

Now imagine seeing what I see

and feeling what I feel.

Please be aware
of all sensations.

And now
point to where I tapped you.

Let me take you
into your past.

Imagine yourself
in a white room.

There is a box
with a watch inside.

Imagine taking the watch
out of the box

and setting
a totally random time.

Please tell us the time
you set the watch to.

‐ 4:00 p. m.

‐ Heidi, the box you have

is the box Terry saw
in his mind.

Can you please open it

and show everyone
the time on the watch?

[audience murmuring]

‐ Yup. It's 4:00.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Thank you, Heidi.

Terry, what you have,

I have one last question
for you.

If you could snap your fingers

and be anywhere
in this vast world,

where would you be?

Please tell us.

‐ I would be at home.

‐ And now turn around.

‐ Whoa! [chuckling]

‐ Don't stay out too late,
honey.

‐ Whoa.

‐ What in the world?

That's my baby.

‐ I'm X.

Thank you and goodnight.

‐ Thank you.
Thank you.

That was absolutely brilliant.

All right.

Heidi.

‐ I love the whole concept,
you know,

that you are this masked person

taking us on this journey.

And the last time,
it was really, like,

the kicker at the end,
the payoff,

you know,
when all of a sudden,

Shin Lim was right here
and we were like, boom,

we couldn't believe it.

And that moment to me
was not there today.

I don't know.
It wasn't as special.

Sorry.

‐ Alesha.

‐ For me,
every time I see you,

you are consistently brilliant,

and I'd love to see you
go all the way to the final.

I really would.

‐ Simon.

‐ I'm gonna be honest
with you.

I don't think
this was a progression up

from where you were before.

If you do make it through,
however,

I think you've got to come up
with something brand new.

You've got to push yourself.
You've got to test yourself.

So let's see
what the super fans think

because your act before this
was fantastic, Marc.

‐ Good luck tonight, Marc.

Show some love
for Marc Spelmann as X.

[cheers and applause]

‐ That was the first act
so far tonight

that I don't think
rose to the occasion.

‐ Fate brought
these two performers together.

They won
"Poland's Got Talent,"

and they've been a big hit
in Europe.

But now, they're on "Champions"

to show the whole world
they are the best.

Here's Duo Destiny.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Behind our routines
is a lot of hard work.

‐ Yeah.
‐ A lot of tears and sweat.

‐ And we are both
competitive people.

‐ Winning this title,

"America's Got Talent:
the Champions,"

is something
that we would love

to bring back to Poland.
‐ Poland.

‐ And we'll fight for it
and we are doing everything

for this to happen.

‐ That was perfect.

‐ You are astonishing.

‐ Going into the semi‐final
is Duo Destiny!

‐ But now we have to impress
even more

because we feel the pressure
to do even better.

Also, the competition tonight
is tough,

and of course Duo Transcend
is intimidating

because they are just
insanely good.

‐ Tonight, we're putting
everything on the line.

‐ More danger, more heights.

We don't wanna go home

regretting that we didn't
risk something.

‐ We are here to make
our country and Poland proud.

We just hope we can make it
to the finals.

‐ Do you like them
as much as Duo Transcend?

Same kind of act.
‐ I would have a hard time

choosing between one
or the other.

‐ Well, we're gonna find out.

[cheers and applause]

[Bishop Briggs'
"Never Tear Us Apart"]

‐ ♪ Don't ask me ♪

♪ What you know is true ♪

♪ Don't have to tell you ♪

♪ Oh, I love
your precious heart ♪

♪ I was standing ♪

♪ You were there ♪

♪ Two worlds collided ♪

♪ And they could never ♪

♪ Ever us tear us apart ♪

♪ Oh ♪

‐ Whoa.

‐ Whoa!

‐ Wow.

‐ Oh my God.

‐ Yes.

‐ ♪ They could never ♪

♪ Ever tear us apart ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

‐ Here we go.

‐ ♪ I was standing ♪

♪ You were there ♪

‐ ♪ Two worlds collided ♪

♪ And they could never ♪

♪ Ever tear us apart ♪

♪ Tear us apart ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ And they could never ♪

♪ Ever tear us apart ♪

♪ I was standing ♪

♪ You were there ♪

♪ Two worlds collided ♪

♪ And they could never ♪

♪ Ever tear us apart ♪

[cheers and applause]

‐ Whoa!
‐ Oh my God!

[thunderclap]

‐ Yes!

Yes!

‐ Duo Destiny!

Heidi.

‐ I mean,
you have to be one of the six

chosen ones today.

You just have to be.

It is insane.
My hands are so wet.

I would, like,
slide right off you literally.

I mean,
you guys are incredible.

Well done.

‐ Howie.
‐ Here's what I have to say.

I think that you delivered
in your first performance.

As far as I'm concerned,
the championship performance,

I don't think
this was that different.

These are all the same moves
I saw before.

‐ Boo!
‐ I couldn't do them.

I'm not knocking them.

You're worthy
of being a champion,

but are you gonna be one
of the six for our super fans?

I don't know.
‐ Boo, boo, boo, boo.

‐ Normally I agree with you,
but in this instance,

I actually
don't agree with you.

‐ Thank you, Alesha.
‐ Because the thing is,

what they're doing
is so difficult.

I mean, I think
you added a few new moves.

There were a couple
of moves...

‐ Yeah.
‐ That I did recognize,

but you know what?

Come on, I mean,
if you have a hat‐‐

I'd say take your hat off
to them

because honestly, guys,

what you're doing
is outstanding

and risky.
‐ Thank you so much.

‐ Thank you.
‐ It was seamless.

It's sexy.

Honestly,
I couldn't fault it.

Howie's just being grumpy today.

‐ I thought this really
was a step up genuinely.

I mean,
I felt it was something

you haven't done
previously before.

I thought the music choice,
the production,

everything about this
was brilliant tonight.

Congratulations.
‐ Whoo‐hoo!

‐ Thank you so much.
‐ Thank you.

We really, really,
thank you.

‐ Give it up one more time
for Duo Destiny!

‐ Yes!

[orchestral music]

‐ You saw a lot of new moves?

‐ I thought‐‐
‐ You saw a lot of new moves?

‐ I think there were
new moves in there.

‐ I agree.
That was amazing.

‐ Howie,
will you just meow to me?

‐ Meow.
‐ Little kitty.

‐ Woof.
‐ Woof.

Meow.
‐ Woof.

‐ No, don't be such an old cat,

be a tiny cute little kitty.

‐ I'm not. I'm a tiger.
‐ Okay. Let's hear it.

‐ Well, roar.

[laughter]

[cheers and applause]

‐ To say this act
split the judges‐‐

well, last time out,

Howie loved him
and Simon really didn't, at all.

Buckle up, everybody.

Here's Hans.

‐ Yay.

[cheers and applause]

[buzzer]

[R. E. M.'s
"Everybody Hurts"]

‐ How do you feel
about Simon buzzing you?

‐ I mean,
you think it bothers me?

I'm‐‐I don't care.

‐ ♪ When your day is long ♪

‐ I'm used to fickle men.

I mean, it's not as if I keep
replaying his words

over and over in my head.

‐ It was almost impossible
to make that worse.

None of it makes sense.

What a bad banana.

‐ ♪ Sure you've had enough ♪

[music fades]

‐ Maybe he thinks that
everybody should be up there,

"I dreamed a dream,

et cetera, et cetera."

‐ Did you guys have fun?

[cheers and applause]

‐ But this is the great thing
about "Champions."

It's not just up
to Simon Cowell.

‐ ♪ Don't let yourself go ♪

‐ It's all tied up
with one vote each.

‐ Hans!

‐ When the judges
sent me through,

my initial reaction was,
"You deserve this."

But then I realized
that Simon's not the only one

in the world
that maybe hates me.

I'm not ashamed to say there
was a moment, period...

[sound fades]

And then I had an epiphany.

Simon said it was impossible
to make the performance worse.

Well, guess what?

I'm back.

I'm ready to prove him wrong.

This is not about fun.

It's not about entertainment,

it's about redemption
and revenge.

[gasps]

[snorts]

Regret.

You're gonna feel it
in a second, Cowell.

‐ Yay!

Hans!

Go, Hans.

Yes.

‐ Look at that‐‐
look at the podium.

‐ I love it.

‐ It's like Hans and Heidis.

‐ Hans and Heidis,
I like that.

‐ Love you, Hans.

‐ I love you.

Good luck, girls.

[suspenseful music]

Honeys,
I know many of you look at me

as an international superstar,

beautiful,

talented,

humble.

But apparently,
I have some doubters, darlings.

As Lady Gaga
once famously said,

"There can be 99 people
in the room,

and all it takes is one
dummkopf with a red buzzer."

[laughter]

I've even had
some doubters online.

Brian wrote to me and said,
"If time travel was possible,

I would go back
and unsee that."

[laughter]

It's not, Brian.

While Wanda said,

"His wife and kids
must be very proud."

They are.

But, darlings,
like a phoenix,

I rise from the ashes.

And tonight, I officially launch
my campaign

to be "AGT: The Champions"
winner 2020.

And, darlings,

there's only one way
to really start to campaign,

and that is with
a German sing‐along.

‐ Yes!

[polka music]

‐ Heidi...
‐ Yes!

‐ This is for you,
meine liebe.

♪ Danke schoen... ♪
‐ Oh.

‐ ♪ Darling, danke schoen ♪

Actually, no.

Wait, girls, girls, girls.

Please, this isn't working.

[speaking German]

♪ She got a body
like an hourglass ♪

♪ But I can give it to you
all the time ♪

♪ She's got a booty
like a Cadillac ♪

♪ But I can send you
into overdrive ♪

♪ You've been waiting for
that ♪

♪ Step on up, swing your bat ♪

♪ See anybody
could be bad to you ♪

♪ You need a German
to blow your mind ♪

♪ Bang, bang into the room,
I know you want it ♪

♪ Bang, bang all over you,
I'll let you have it ♪

♪ Wait a minute,
let me take you there ♪

♪ Wait a minute till you ♪

♪ B to the A to the N
to the G to the ♪

♪ B to the A to the N
to the G to the ♪

♪ See anybody
could be bad to you ♪

♪ You need a German
to blow your mind ♪

♪ Oh, I know you want it ♪

♪ Bang, bang ♪

♪ I'll let you have it ♪

♪ Wait a minute
let me take you there ♪

♪ Wait a minute till you ♪

Ah!

[cheers and applause]

‐ Oh, wear the hat.

[loud pop]

‐ Yes!

Yes!

‐ Hans, everyone.
‐ Terry.

‐ Howie, what do you think?

‐ Can I be honest with you?

This is so much bigger
than this show.

You are on Twitter,

you're on a reality show,

you got hats‐‐

you know what can happen
in this country.

‐ Are you saying, Howie,
it's time

to make America glitter again?

‐ Yeah!

[cheers and applause]

[buzzer]
‐ [screams]

‐ [laughs]

Sorry.

That was a mistake.

I just got excited.

I just got excited.
Stop it.

Guys, guys,

that was by accident

because I was excited, okay?

So relax, everybody.

[laughter]

‐ Now, Heidi,
that was a mistake.

Heidi, what do you think?

‐ I mean, my fellow German,

[speaking German]

Thank you.

‐ Someone get him a translator.

[laughter]

‐ Alesha.

‐ Can I just say,

like, of all the acts tonight,

I think your presentation

was the best by far.

‐ Danke.
‐ Like, absolutely amazing.

I loved everything about that,

everything about you.

You are fabulous.

Thank you for making us all
feel great.

‐ Yes.
‐ It was wonderful.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Simon, come on, hit me.

‐ Look, I shouldn't have
loved that...

But I did love it.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Yes!

Hans has won over Simon.

‐ Welcome back into my bosom,
Simon.

I love you.
‐ Thank you, darling.

I have genuinely missed them.

[triumphant music]

‐ I got to say, uh, Hans,

what makes you a champion, sir?

‐ Excuse me, I did the splits
across two chairs.

What more do you want?

[laughter]

‐ Make some noise for Hans.

♪ ♪

‐ I don't want the party to end.
‐ What did you with the button?

Why did you push the button?

‐ It just happened by accident.

‐ She didn't see it.
‐ Like my‐‐I got excited.

‐ That was great.
‐ That was amazing.

‐ I got excited and I pressed‐‐

‐ Did that put him through?
‐ Oh, I hope so.

‐ Oh, Hans.

I wish he would run
for president.

‐ [laughs]

‐ Coming up.

‐ Hey!

Yay!

‐ You are truly amazing,

you're truly a champion.

‐ Oh!
‐ I did feel a little bit sick

at one point.

‐Absolutely
amazing performance.

‐ Yes, yes, yes.

That is how you do it.

‐ ♪ Guide us with your grace ♪

‐ I have never seen
anything like this ever.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Here's a magician
from "Spain's Got Talent."

In the last round, Simon said

there was something
really special about her.

But can she do enough
to make the finals?

She is Dania Diaz.

‐ Just like a singer
can tell the story

of their own experience,

I want to do that with magic.

I want to make it
more personal

so people can relate.

When you're ten
and your mom passed away,

nothing is the same.

[dramatic music]

It was hard growing up
without her.

Thankfully, I found magic.

Magic was an escape
from reality

and gave me self‐confidence.

I thought that
"Spain Got Talent"

was it for me,

that those kinds
of opportunities

only came once.

So I never imagined me

in "America's Got Talent:
The Champions."

‐ Dania Diaz!

‐ Being a semi‐finalist,

it feels amazing.

Whew. [laughs]

Now, I have to bring
something different.

Tonight, it's all about
what my mom

always emphasized, to be happy.

Every time I go out onstage,

it's a tribute to her,

and I feel like I can take
this all the way.

[cheers and applause]

[bright music]

‐ Being here

in the "America's Got Talent:
The Champions"

is a dream come true.

That's why before I start,

I would like to capture
this moment forever.

I would love to take a picture,
is that okay?

‐ Yeah.
‐ Perfect.

Howie, do you mind if we take
a picture with yours?

‐ I have a cell phone.
‐ Oh, nice.

A selfie will be just perfect.

I want you all to be
in the picture.

Awesome.
‐ Oh, I'll try to get us all in.

Ready?

[camera shutter clicks]

‐ Nice. Thank you so much.

[laughs]

Today, I would like
to share with all of you

what I think is the most
important part of my story,

and that is the positive side

of having left everything behind

and starting from scratch.

And I couldn't find a better way
to do that

than with these three cards

and a little bit of magic.

[cheers and applause]

Leaving my country
was one of the hardest things

I had to do.

I have to confess
that when I left,

a part of me...

stayed there.

But along the way,

I discovered many things.

I discovered that
through the face of adversity,

we develop qualities
that we did not know we had.

We get stronger.

I learned to value
what's really important:

family, friends,

and the time we share with them.

And it's funny because
now that we are separated,

now is when we feel
more united.

‐ Whoa.

[cheers and applause]

‐ And although, at some point,

the circumstances...

make me wanna breakdown,
make me wanna fall...

I know that they will be there

to lift me up.

[cheers and applause]

And, yeah, the circumstances
broke us inside

at some point,

but most of us
managed to escape.

But always hoping to come back,

recover, and start from scratch.

Because now‐‐now we know
what's really important:

family.

‐ Thank you.

‐ Friends,

and the time we share with them.

[cheers and applause]

The beautiful thing is that

we will always have
the memories.

So many memories.

Alesha, please pick a card.

That will stay in your memory.

You can show it to everyone.

The problem with memories
is that sometimes,

you can lose them.

The best way to recover them

is to put your mind blank...

Play with them,

use your imagination

until you get yours.

[cheers and applause]

This is your memory,

but now it will be all of ours.

Because long before
you chose this card,

we took a picture, remember?
‐ Yes.

‐ Howie.
‐ Yes?

‐ I want you to look
at that picture

and you will see
that this moment

connects to that memory.

And I hope it stays close
to your heart

for a really long time.

‐ [gasps]
‐ Which camera?

‐ Look at that.
‐ You can zoom that.

‐ That's the card.
‐ Oh, my God.

‐ Wow.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Dania Diaz.

Simon, what did you think?

‐ Uh, do you know what?
The fact,

because you were so close,

your hands
were shaking throughout,

showed to me

how actually real all this was

and how much it meant to you.

It was magic,

literally three feet
from where we stood.

There's no denying that.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Alesha?

‐ Yeah, it was beautifully
understated.

It was really poetic.

You know, you could hear
a pin drop in here.

It was just‐‐
you had our attention,

couldn't take our eyes
off of you.

And like the card,
that was ace.

Well done.
‐ Thank you.

‐ Howie?

‐ I'm gonna be
totally honest with you.

My mom is alive and has lost
some of her memory.

And my heart was like bursting

with emotion and memories.

And it was probably
one of the most beautiful things

I've ever seen.

So, I hope that the superfans

feel what I feel in my heart.

Thank you.
‐ Thank you.

‐ Good luck tonight, Dania.

That was amazing.

Dania Diaz, everybody.

Thank you.
‐ It's true.

I mean, I'm telling you,

I almost cried watching her.

‐ Yeah.
‐ Wow.

[cheers and applause]

[exciting music]

♪ ♪

‐ This duo has already seen

big success, big failures,

and big life changes,

thanks to "Got Talent."

But tonight,

they have to push themselves
harder and further

than ever before.

Here's Duo Transcend.

[cheers and applause]

‐ ♪ I can see the future ♪

‐ We know what it feels like

to be so close
to the finish line

and not, you know,

be the first one to cross.

And this time,
that was not an option.

‐ ♪ Fade into the light ♪

‐ When we came to Season 13
of "AGT",

the hope and dream

was that we could make
a name for ourselves.

We had achieved that,
and we're so grateful,

but we didn't win.

Coming on "The Champions,"

now it's like, America,
we're back.

‐ ♪ This is where we
come alive ♪

‐ Knowing that
we're in the semifinals,

that's like the next step.

It's literally, like,
the best of the best.

‐ We're going up against
the Sandou Russian Bar Trio,

and they have a lot
more experience than we do.

We're also up
against Duo Destiny

who won
"Holland's Got Talent".

So, we're nervous to go up
against them.

‐ With this performance,
we want to show America,

we want to show the judges
that we're more

than just a trapeze act.

Simon asked us to step up

and, Simon,
we are prepared to do that.

[cheers and applause]

[Simon coughing]

‐ Hold, please.

‐ Are you okay?
‐ I just swallowed something.

Hit me on my back.

[laughter]

‐ Sorry.

That was embarrassing.

‐ Hang on, guys.
‐ Literally hang on.

‐ Yeah.

[laughter]

‐ Four, three.

[Panic at the Disco's
"The Greatest Show"]

‐ ♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ ♪

‐ ♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Whoa ♪

‐ ♪ Ladies and gents,
this is the moment... ♪

‐ Right off the bat.

‐ ♪ Whoa ♪

‐ ♪ Been searching
in the dark ♪

♪ Your sweat soaking
through the floor ♪

‐ ♪ Whoa ♪

♪ And buried in your bones
there's an ache ♪

♪ That you can't ignore ♪

♪ Taking your breath,
stealing your mind ♪

♪ Don't fight it,
it's coming for you ♪

♪ It's only this moment,
don't care what comes after ♪

♪ Your fever dream, can't you
see it getting closer ♪

♪ It's fire, it's freedom,
it's flooding open ♪

♪ It's a preacher in the pulpit
and you'll find devotion ♪

♪ There's something breaking
at the brick of every wall ♪

♪ It's holding
all that you know ♪

♪ So tell me
do you wanna go? ♪

[cheers and applause]

‐ ♪ Where it's covered
in all the colored lights ♪

♪ Where the runaways
are running the night ♪

♪ Impossible comes true,
it's taking over you ♪

‐ Oh, I love it.

‐ ♪ Oh, this is
the greatest show ♪

‐ ♪ We light it up,
we won't come down ♪

♪ And the sun
can't stop us now ♪

♪ Watching it come true ♪

‐ Yes!
‐ ♪ It's taking over you ♪

‐ ♪ Oh, this is
the greatest show ♪

[cheers and applause]

‐ ♪ It's everything
you ever want ♪

♪ It's everything
you ever need ♪

♪ And it's here
right in front of you ♪

♪ This is where
you wanna be ♪

♪ It's everything
you ever want ♪

♪ It's everything
you ever need ♪

♪ And it's here
right in front of you ♪

♪ This is where
you wanna be ♪

‐ ♪ This is where
you wanna be ♪

‐ What's next?

‐ ♪ Where the runaways are
running the night ♪

‐ Oh, my gosh.

‐ ♪ Watching it come true ♪

‐ Oh, no.

‐ ♪ This is the greatest show ♪

♪ Where the runaways
are running the night ♪

♪ Watching it come true,
it's taking over you ♪

♪ This is the greatest show ♪

[cheers and applause]

‐ ♪ This is the greatest show ♪

‐ Oh, what?

‐ ♪ This is the greatest show ♪

[cheers and applause]

‐ Duo Transcend!

Howie?

‐ That duo just transcended
just a circus act

into a full‐blown stage show.

You did it.

‐ Thank you. Thank you.

‐ Alesha?
‐ I mean, I actually feel like

I am in the greatest show
on Earth.

I couldn't take my eyes of you,

and I didn't want it to end.

It was lovely. Well done.
‐ Thank you so much.

‐ Thank you.

‐ Heidi?

‐ I just love you guys so much.

You know, the combination
between the aerial act

and then down here
with the roller skates,

it was perfection.

‐ Oh, thank you.

‐ Simon?
‐ Well, you know what?

There's always a concern

from when you've done
a great previous show,

can you step up
into the semifinals?

Can you progress?

Tonight you were in control
of everything.

I thought the theme
was immaculate

of one act leading to another.

This was everything
but more than

I could've ever hoped
for you two, genuinely.

‐ Thank you, Simon.

[upbeat music]

‐ Good luck tonight.

Please make some noise

for Duo Transcend.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Well, that's a step up.
‐ That was a step up.

‐ Nobody's out of the game.

It's anybody's game.

[exciting music]

♪ ♪

‐ This contestant once walked
for 14 days

to find work.

Eventually, that led him
to "Africa's Got Talent."

He won, and now he's here
in America

on the verge
of the "Champions" finals.

Can he keep his incredible
journey going?

Here's Strauss Serpent.

‐ Strauss Serpent.
‐ Strauss Serpent.

‐ [speaking foreign language]

‐ Strauss Serpent.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Strauss is such a wonderful,
humble guy.

He went from street
performing in Cameroon

to now being
an internationally‐known dancer

around the world.

It's the only
thing he talk about is winning.

He really wants to.

[cheers and applause]

[suspenseful music]

♪ ♪

‐ Good entrance.

♪ ♪

‐ Come on, baby.

‐ Whoa. Whoa.
‐ Ugh!

‐ Oh, my God.

‐ ♪ I'll be wearing the crown ♪

‐ Oh. Oh. Whoa.

‐ ♪ I'll be wearing the crown ♪

‐ I love that guy.

‐ ♪ I'll be wearing the crown ♪

[crowd screaming]

‐ ♪ I'll be wearing the crown ♪

♪ ♪

‐ [shrieking]

‐ Oh!

[classical music]

♪ ♪

[pop music]

‐ ♪ I'll be wearing the crown ♪

‐ ♪ I'll be wearing the crown ♪

‐ ♪ Can't stop me,
can't stop me now ♪

[crowd exclaims]

‐ ♪ I'll be wearing the crown ♪

‐ ♪ Can't stop me,
can't stop me now ♪

‐ No.
‐ Oh, no.

‐ No.

‐ He's not gonna fit

in that bucket.

‐ No.
‐ No, he's not gonna fit

in that bucket.
‐ Oh, no, you do not.

‐ No.

‐ No way.

[cheers and applause]

‐ [laughs]

‐ Strauss Serpent!

[cheers and applause]

Alesha.

‐ I mean, every single thing
about that

was brilliant.

I love it.

He's funny and painful to watch

all at the same time.

‐ Like my act.
‐ Like you.

‐ Look, only six acts
can go through tonight.

Whether the superfans think
it's good enough for the final,

I don't know,
but I personally love you.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Heidi?

‐ I...

I have to say it's probably

one of my most favorite acts

because you...

‐ [speaking foreign language]

‐ No, it's true,
because what you do,

not a lot of people can do.

You're probably the only one
that can pretzel yourself

up the way you do.

It is‐‐to me
this hypnotic to watch you,

I wanna see more of this,

and I hope you're gonna make it
through to the finals.

I really do.

There's no else
that can do that.

‐ Simon?
‐ Well, the first time

we saw you in‐‐
you had that wow factor.

Um, unfortunately, for me,

the second time I saw it,

I didn't get that wow factor.

[crowd booing]

Which is frustrating,

because I do like you.

But...

you deserve another shot

in the finals.

‐ Howie, what are your thoughts?

‐ You know, a lot of people
watch these acts

on their computer.

And this is gonna be
one of the best unboxing videos

that they've ever seen...
[laughter]

That has a message
about recycling.

I got the whole message.
[laughter]

‐ I get it. And it's important.
‐ That's what I was missing.

‐ Good luck tonight, Strauss.

Let's hear it one more time,
Strauss Serpent.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Think you could fit
in that box?

You don't think he can fit
in that box?

‐ No.
‐ You're not gonna try, Heidi.

‐ You'll really?
Go in.

‐ You're a supermodel,
you're not going in.

‐ Go. Go.
I got a bad back.

‐ Heidi.
‐ She's gonna try.

‐ Hold on.

[cheers and applause]

‐ That's pretty amazing.

‐ I like to think
outside the box.

‐ [laughs]

‐ See? No biggie.

[exciting music]

♪ ♪

‐ Appearing on "AGT" last summer

didn't just change
this comedian's career,

it changed his whole life,
everything.

Tonight, he's hoping to laugh
his way

into the finals.

He is Ryan Niemiller.

‐ Having not won my season,

it didn't sit well with me.

‐ Ryan Niemiller!

‐ But I've gotten
a second chance to win.

Now that I've made it through,

I have to kind of
step it up big

in a short amount of time,

so that's why
I've been hitting the road.

I've been doing a lot of shows.

I'm in Princeton, Indiana.

This is my first time ever
getting to go up into Canada.

Things have changed
pretty substantially

from before
"America's Got Talent."

‐ America loves you.

‐ That was the plan.

I'm booked out through
at least the next year.

Uh, place is sold out.

They had to turn people away.

So I'm not sleeping
in my car anymore,

but I'm also not sleeping

because I've been working.

LA to Phoenix,
to Vegas, to Tacoma.

The hotel life is amazing.

It's nice.

‐ Nah.

‐ No, I'm still
on a trailer park.

Yeah, that's too extravagant.

[upbeat music]

‐ I didn't start this journey
to lose.

I like the pressure of that,

to know I really have
to step it up.

I want people to be able
to look at me, like,

"Oh, it was Shin Lim
and then Ryan Niemiller."

That's what I want.

[cheers and applause]

[Salt‐N‐Pepa's "Whatta Man"]

‐ ♪ What a man,
what a man, what a man ♪

♪ What a mighty good man ♪

♪ What a mighty,
mighty good man ♪

♪ What a man, what a man,
what a man ♪

♪ What a mighty good man ♪

♪ Say it again now ♪

♪ What a man, what a man,
what a man ♪

♪ What a mighty good man ♪

‐ Aww.

They gave me dancers.

‐ Yay.
‐ [laughs]

‐ Oh, how is everybody tonight?

[cheers and applause]

Awesome.

I feel so good tonight,
if I could wear a wedding ring,

I'd marry myself,
let's do this.

[laughter]

Oh, I got extra dressed up
for you guys tonight.

Wanted to look my best,
got extra dressed up.

You're welcome.

[cheers and applause]

I do still have the beard.
I was gonna shave it,

but I didn't have four hours
and a pint of blood

I could afford to lose,
so this is what you get.

[laughter]

That one's for me,
I like that one.

[laughter]

So I take being a comedian

with this disability
very seriously.

It's very important to me.

I don't know any other comics
who have anything like this.

I appreciate it because I get
to tell people the real stuff,

what it's actually
like to have a disability.

People get so uncomfortable,
a lot of you right now

still looking at me like,
"This is the worst

afterschool special
I've ever seen."

[laughter]

When does he save the school?

[Alesha laughs]

And I love being here
in Los Angeles.

I love being here
because you guys

don't have a winter season.
I grew up near Lake Michigan.

We had terrible winters.
I hate the winter.

It's not for me.

I couldn't wear all the
appropriate winter clothing.

[laughter]

Always made it rough.
Like, I couldn't wear gloves.

No matter
how many times my dad

drunkenly bought them for me.

Every time my dad
would buy me a new pair,

I had to be like,
"Dad...

"these gloves aren't
gonna work.

"I don't have ten fingers.

I think you're
just seeing double."

He'd be like, "Shut up, Ryan,
and put on your two hats."

[laughter]

That's where
my mom came in, though.

My mom is the sweetest woman
in the world.

I love her to death.
That's where she came in.

'Cause I couldn't wear gloves,
she had a backup plan.

So what she would do
is she would take tube socks...

[laughter]

And put those
on my little nubbins.

And yes, Mom, those tube socks
were a great idea

until the first time
those tube socks touched snow.

Then they just
became frostbite traps.

[laughter]

I thought you loved me.

You didn't get those socks
from under my bed, did you?

[cheers and applause]

Uh, easy, easy.

It was a joke, it was a joke.

We grew up poor;
I didn't have a bed.

[laughter]

All right.
I'm Ryan Niemiller, you guys.

Thank you all so, so much.

Thank you.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Ryan Niemiller!

Heidi?

‐ I really,
really like you, Ryan.

I have to be honest, though,

I thought you were funnier last
time we saw‐‐

you lost me
a little bit today,

but I still do think that
you're really, really funny.

‐ Thank you.

Thank you.

‐ Simon?

‐ I'm slightly with Heidi.

It didn't feel as fresh

as it did
the last time we saw you.

[crowd booing]
‐ It was not as funny.

‐ It felt like a set
you've done before.

I love you to death,
don't get me wrong,

and I really hope you make it
through to the final.

But I got lost a little bit
tonight, I'm sorry.

‐ No prob, no prob.

‐ All right. Howie?
The comedian?

‐ Well, I am a comedian,
and I understand

what I takes to write material,

and he has a plethora
of phenomenal material.

I believe that tonight's
material is great.

[cheers and applause]

More importantly,
you are great...

‐ Thank you.
‐ And you are a star.

‐ Thank you.
‐ Alesha?

‐ If I'm being honest,
I think these two

are splitting heads a
little bit over the material

because I thought
it was very, very funny.

There's something about you
that I love, and I really hope

the superfans vote for you,
Ryan.

‐ Thank you so much.
‐ Well done.

‐ Thank you.
‐ Good luck tonight, Ryan.

People,
let's hear it one more time

for Ryan Niemiller!

[upbeat music]

‐ Comedy can go any way,
right?

You know.
‐ Exactly.

‐ He's riding a high now.

He's got to live up
to what he just did.

‐ I mean, that was pretty
funny last night.

‐ It was great.

That was all subjective.

‐ This next act got
all four judges

up on their feet
in the last round.

Simon said he'd have pushed
the golden buzzer

if it had been his turn,
which doesn't usually stop him.

‐ [laughs]
‐ She is Alexa Lauenburger.

[cheers and applause]

‐ In the results...

‐ There are just three acts
left.

‐ It was so scary.

‐ Only one will go
to the semifinal.

‐ I was up there
with two other winners.

I was so nervous.

‐ The act that I believe
could take it all way, Alexa.

‐ Alexa.

‐ Tonight,
I have to give it to Alexa.

‐ The judges voted for us,

which means they believe in us.

Being in the semifinals,

there's so many, uh,
so many super talents here.

‐ I hope.

[dog barking]

Offstage, I'm very shy.

But my dogs bring me out
of my shell.

They're all my family.

We've been working so hard
for this performance.

We're the only animal act,

and I hope we can stand out.

[dramatic music]

I love my dog so much,

and we really want a spot
in the final.

[laughs]

Yes. [giggles]

[cheers and applause]

Sit, Jennifer,
Jennifer, stop.

‐ I love that she just plays.

"You guys go here."

She's better with her dogs
than I ever was

with my children.

[Harry Belafonte's
"Jump In The Line"]

‐ Specki.

Specki.

Maya, Maya.

‐ Whoa!

‐ [speaking foreign language]

‐ ♪ Shake, shake,
shake, Senora ♪

♪ Shake your body line ♪

♪ Shake, shake, shake,
Senora ♪

♪ Shake it all the time ♪

‐ Whoa.
‐ ♪ Work, work, work, Senora ♪

‐ Emma, Emma, Emma.
‐ ♪ Work your body line ♪

♪ Work, work, work, Senora ♪

♪ Work it all the time ♪

♪ My girl's name is Senora ♪

‐ [laughs] Hey.

‐ ♪ And when she dances,
oh, brother♪

‐ Emma, Emma
[speaking foreign language]

‐ ♪ She's a hurricane
in all kinds of weather ♪

♪ Jump in the line ♪

♪ Rock your body in time ♪

♪ Okay, I believe you♪

♪ Jump in the line...♪
‐ Jump.

‐ Whoa.

Whoa.
‐ [audience cheering]

‐ That's amazing.

‐ ♪ Jump in the line,
rock your body in time ♪

♪ Whoa ♪
‐ Stop. Stop.

[speaking foreign language]

‐ ♪ Shake your body line ♪

♪ Shake, shake, shake,
Senora ♪

♪ Shake it all the time ♪

♪ Work, work, work, Senora ♪

♪ Work your body line ♪

♪ Work, work, work, Senora ♪

♪ Work it all the time ♪

♪ You can talk about Cha‐Cha ♪
‐ Come on, come on.

‐ ♪ Tango, Waltz,
or the Rumba ♪

♪ Senora's dance has no
title ♪

♪ You jump in the saddle,
hold on to de bridle ♪

♪ Jump in the line,
rock your body in time ♪

♪ Okay, I believe you ♪

♪ Shake, shake, shake,
Senora ♪

♪ Shake your body line ♪

♪ Shake, shake, shake,
Senora ♪

♪ Shake it all the time ♪

♪ Work, work, work, Senora ♪

♪ Work your body line ♪

♪ Work, work, work, Senora ♪

♪ Work it all the time ♪

♪ Senora, she's a sensation ♪

♪ The reason for aviation ♪

‐ This is the best dog act
I've ever seen.

‐ ♪ Then she wind up,
she bottom ♪

♪ She go like a rocket ♪

♪ Jump in the line,
rock your body in time ♪

♪ Okay, I believe you ♪

♪ Jump in the line,
rock your body ♪

♪ Hoist those guns
a little higher ♪

♪ Jump in the line,
rock your body in time ♪

♪ Up the chimney ♪

‐ ♪ Jump in the line,
rock your body in time ♪

♪ Whoa ♪
‐ Hey.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Jump here.

Come on, come on.

‐ ♪ Shake, shake,
shake, Senora ♪

♪ Shake your body line ♪

♪ Shake, shake, shake,
Senora ♪

♪ Shake it all the time ♪

♪ Work, work, work, Senora ♪

[cheers and applause]

‐ Alexa Lauenburger.

Alesha.

‐ Oh, Alexa,

that was perfection.

I absolutely love you,
you are incredible

and I will never get bored
of this act.

‐ Yeah.
‐ It was wonderful.

‐ Thank you.

‐ Heidi.
‐ It was awesome,

you put the biggest smile
on my face again.

The dogs were perfect,

you were perfect,
congratulations to you.

‐ Thank you.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Simon.

‐ If there was
one golden buzzer,

I think we were all allowed
to push tonight,

we would all be reaching
for that right now.

[cheers and applause]

‐ I agree with you, Howie,

this is the best dog act...
‐ The best.

‐ I've seen by a mile.

‐ Well, thank you, Simon.

‐ Howie?

‐ Two words describe your act,
and that is pure joy.

‐ Thank you.
‐ Yes.

Good luck tonight, Alexa.

People, give it up
for Alexa Lauenburger.

[cheers and applause]

‐ That was great.

‐ There's a lot of kids
in this competition.

‐ A lot.
‐ And they seem to have

so much more poise than even
people five times their age.

‐ They came here to win.

‐ Yeah, exactly.
‐ You know.

‐ Coming up.

‐ You are a beautiful,

wonderful singer.

‐ Sandou Trio Russian Bar!

‐ What I remember,
you made a huge mistake.

‐ Early routine.

‐ The votes are locked.

This is their last chance
to survive.

[exciting music]

♪ ♪

‐ This act knows the danger

of trying to push out
of your comfort zone.

It backfired on them once,

but now they've returned
stronger than ever.

Here's Sandou Trio Russian Bar.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Since Season 6
in "America's Got Talent,"

Konstantin and I
have become parents.

Being a mom absolutely
changes my priorities.

Every time that I perform
on the bar,

I think about the fact

that we have two beautiful
kids that we're raising,

and if something does
go wrong,

it could end my life.

A year ago when I was pregnant
with my son,

I made a decision
that I was done.

It took a long time
to come to terms

with possibly not getting back
on the bar again

especially because
we left "America's Got Talent"

with unfinished business.

But then "Champions" came,
and it lit a fire under us.

It was something
we needed to do.

‐ Absolute respect
for the three of you.

‐ I want our kids to know
that life is not easy.

There are things that are
gonna tear us down

but you have to keep fighting.

‐ Welcome back into the game.

‐ Yeah.

‐ Our biggest competitors

are Duo Destiny

and Duo Transcend.

They're so great
at what they do.

But I want this so bad.

So we're putting everything
into this performance.

The last time we were here,
we totally redeemed ourselves.

Now we're here to win.

‐ She is in the zone, man.

‐ She is.
‐ Whoa.

‐ I mean,
you do like one wrong step

on the thing and you're toast.

[soft dramatic music]

‐ She's not gonna put fire
underneath her.

Jesus.
‐ Oh, no.

‐ Here we go.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Yes.

She means business.

[Bishop Briggs' "Champion"]

‐ Not only no mat, fire.

‐ Why?

It worries me, Howie.

‐ ♪ You got to get bruised
before you get mad ♪

♪ You got to fall down
before you fight back ♪

♪ Was feeling so weak
but, baby, I'm strong ♪

♪ Little did I know
I'm a champion ♪

‐ Whoa.
‐ ♪ I'm a champion ♪

‐ Jeez.

♪ ♪

‐ ♪ I'm a champion ♪

‐ Whoa.

[cheers and applause]

‐ ♪ You got to get bruised
before you get mad ♪

♪ You got to fall down
before you fight back ♪

♪ Was feeling so weak
but, baby, I'm strong ♪

♪ Little did I know,
I'm a champion ♪

♪ I'm a champion ♪

♪ I'm a champion ♪

♪ I'm a champion ♪

[cheers and applause]

‐ What?
‐ ♪ I'm a champion ♪

♪ I'm a champion ♪

‐ What is she doing?

‐ What?
‐ ♪ I'm a champion ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ I'm a champion ♪

♪ Whoo ♪

♪ I'm a champion ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I'm a champion ♪

‐ Whoa!

‐ ♪ I'm a champion ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ I'm a champion ♪

[cheers and applause]

‐ Sandou Trio Russian Bar.

Alesha.

‐ Oh, honestly, at the
beginning of that performance,

the way you just stood there
with your fist in the air

like a true champion,
you meant business,

you're up to your game,

and I really hope
the superfans vote

because that was a spectacle.

Well done.

‐ Heidi.

‐ I mean,
are you kidding me with this?

‐ Thank you so much.
‐ You are incredible.

‐ Thank you so much.
‐ You also have to be one

of the six, you have to be.

I mean, it is incredible
what you guys do.

‐ Thank you so much.

‐ Simon?

‐ You know what, you've got
this really cool attitude.

I mean,
what you were doing mid‐air

and the implications of what
would've happened

if it have gone wrong
are catastrophic.

But the whole presentation
as well, from the music,

the choreography,
the staging,

it was absolutely amazing.

And I think that's gonna
get you in the final.

I do.

‐ Thank you.
‐ Howie.

‐ Well, you know,
the semi‐finals on this show

is about raising the bar,

and you literally
do raise the bar.

You lit the bar on fire.
‐ Yeah.

‐ But that's what people
need to do,

and you are a great example of
what the semi‐finals needs to be

and the superfans, take note,

that should be one of the six.

‐ Yes, tell them, Howie.

‐ Now, you look like
you have nerves of steel.

How do you not get nervous?

‐ You know, if you're nervous,

you cannot do this act.
‐ Right.

‐ That's why there's
very few people in the world

that do this act,

and I'm so honored
to be one of them.

‐ Go on, girl.
‐ Yes.

‐ Please make some noise

for Sandou Trio Russian Bar.

♪ ♪

‐ I love her.

[exciting music]

♪ ♪

‐ Here's one of the most
incredible voices

we've ever had on "AGT."

In fact, it's two voices
in one singer.

Here's Marcelito Pomoy.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Coming to Champions,
I was very nervous.

I am the winner
in the Philippines,

but my voice is unique.

I didn't know
if they will like my talent.

[Andre Bocelli & Celine Dion's
"The Prayer"]

[male voice]
♪ Lead us to a place ♪

[female voice]
♪ Guide us with your grace ♪

[cheer and applause]

‐ I saw the audience
standing ovation.

‐ That was a 10.

‐ Marcelito was orphan,

living on the street with
no one to take care of him.

So being there on that stage

like a champion,

now the world can see
what I see.

Yeah.

‐ I was alone for half
of my life.

But now,
I have my own family.

Being a dad is the best job
in the world.

I've waited for this moment.

It's my chance to provide
the great life for my family.

‐ Here we go.

‐ Half of the acts
will be going home tonight.

‐ Clear the stage.
‐ And I cannot be one of them.

‐ I just love that guy.

‐ Me, too.

‐ He's focused.

‐ He's the sweetest guy as well.

[cheers and applause]

[dramatic music]

[Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman
"Time To Say Goodbye"]

‐ [female voice]
[singing in foreign language]

[male voice]
♪ Time to say ♪

♪ Goodbye ♪

[singing in foreign language]

♪ It's time to say goodbye ♪

[female voice]
[singing in foreign language]

[male voice]
[singing in foreign language]

[female voice]
[singing in foreign language]

[male voice]
[singing in foreign language]

[female voice]
♪ Time to say ♪

♪ Goodbye ♪

[singing in foreign language]

[male voice]
[singing in foreign language]

[female voice]
[singing in foreign language]

[cheers and applause]

‐ Marcelito Pomoy.

Howie.
‐ Okay, I gotta say

that I believe
that you have the best shot

of winning this whole thing.

[cheers and applause]

‐ I really do.

You know,
this is the semi‐finals.

You raised your game.

The woman in you
was just as good

as she was the last time.

But you as the man,

you went up a notch

and she tried
to stay up with you

but she couldn't.
‐ [laughter]

‐ Alesha.

‐ I can't do it, Howie.

Absolutely brilliant
song choice.

It really enabled you
to shine, you know?

‐ You know that's me
judging right now, too.

‐ [laughs]
‐ Hear my laugh?

‐ [laughs] Ignore him.

I just love everything
about you, Marcelito.

So good luck for tonight.

That's a fabulous performance.

Well done.

‐ Heidi.

‐ Marcelito,
I've been waiting all day

for you to come onto the stage.

For me, you are my favorite.

I mean, it just, pfff,

blows my mind.
‐ Simon.

‐ Marcelito,
there is no denying

you have a very unique,

incredible, special talent.

So if you make it to the final,

I think you've got to take
a bigger risk

because now,
the surprise is now over.

[audience booing]
But I do believe

that with a gift
like you've got,

you've got a massive career
in front of you.

I really, really do.

[cheers and applause]

‐ Give it up
for Marcelito Pomoy.

♪ ♪

‐ I can't believe that half
of them are going home.

Half.

I think it's gonna be tough.

‐ Coming up.
‐ We've seen 12 of the world's

top acts go head‐to‐head.

‐ Outstanding.

‐ It's all down
to how our superfans vote.

The act going
into the finals is...

[cheers and applause]

[cheers and applause]

‐ Tonight, we've seen
12 of the world's top acts

bring everything they've got
to win a spot

in next week's finals.

Now, it's all in the hands
of our superfans.

They represent
all 50 states of America.

Their vote will decide
who's going into the finals.

And the superfans' vote
is locked now.

‐ Everything that I've been
working in my whole life

comes to this moment.

‐ That was perfection.

‐ You have the best shot
of winning this whole thing.

‐ Why is it I love you
insulting me?

‐ We definitely gave
everything we've got.

Hopefully, the superfans
vote us through.

♪ ♪

‐ Every time I see you,

you are consistently brilliant.

‐ I shouldn't have loved that,

but I did love it.

‐ I love that you brought
something different.

‐ You have to be one of the six
chosen ones today.

‐ That was brilliant.
‐ The material is great.

But more importantly,
you are great.

‐ We're not ready to finish
this journey.

We wanna make it
to the finals so bad.

‐ Here we go.

Let's see who made it
into the finals.

Hans...

Ad Strauss Serpent...

Pease step forward.

[cheers and applause]

The first act
going into the finals is...

[cheers and applause]

[audience shouting]

‐ Hans!

[cheers and applause]

[triumphant music]

Thank you, Strauss Serpent.

You've been sensational.

People,
give it up one more time

for Hans.

‐ Unbelievable.
‐ Okay.

Let's keep it going.

JJ Pantano...

Ad Tyler Butler‐Figueroa.

‐ Oh, the kids.
‐ Please step forward.

[cheers and applause]

The next act
going into the final is...

Tyler Butler‐Figueroa!

[cheers and applause]

‐ JJ Pantano.

‐ Aww.

‐ You've been awesome.

Thank you so much.

‐ Let's hear it one more time

for Tyler Butler‐Figueroa.

‐ Yeah!

Okay.

Two down, four to go.

Here's the next result.

Dania Diaz...

And Marcelito Pomoy.

Please step forward.

The next act

taking a spot in the final is...

[cheers, chanting]

Marcelito Pomoy!

[cheers and applause]

Dania Diaz,

you have been unforgettable.

‐ Ladies and gentlemen,
Marcelito Pomoy.

Okay. There's only
three spots left.

Let's keep it going.

Alexa Lauenburger...

And Marc Spelmann as X.

Please step forward.

The fourth act

going into the final is...

Alexa Lauenburger!

[cheers and applause]

Marc, you have been amazing.

Alexa, how do you feel?

‐ Thank you, the superfans,
I'm so, so happy.

‐ [laughs] All right.

Give it up one more time

for Alexa Lauenburger.

Now there's just
two spots left.

Sandou Trio Russian Bar...

And Ryan Niemiller.

Please step forward.

[cheers, shouting]

The act taking the next spot

in the final is...

[cheers and applause]

Kind of split [indistinct].

‐ Yeah, split.

‐ Sandou Trio Russian Bar!

[cheers and applause]

Ryan, thank you so much.

You've been amazing.

Ladies and gentlemen,

give it up one more time

for Sandou Trio Russian Bar.

‐ I really like them,
I really like them.

‐ She's amazing.

‐ Isn't she?
‐ Okay.

There's just one spot left

and we have two acts waiting.
‐ Oh, no.

‐ Let's see
who's going through.

Duo Transcend...

And Duo Destiny.

Please step forward.

These two acts
came in sixth and seventh

in the superfans' vote.

But only one of them can go
into the finals.

And this time,
it's all up to the judges.

[dramatic tone]

‐ Oh.

♪ ♪

[cheers, shouting]

‐ Simon,
who do you wanna put through

to the finals?

‐ Terry, you could split
a hair on this.

I'm gonna judge this

based on the first time

I'd seen both acts

who I believe could step up
the most in the final.

And my vote goes for...

Duo Transcend.

‐ Duo Transcend with one vote.

‐ ♪ And I can't feel a thing ♪

‐ Heidi.

‐ I mean, you guys
are so similar in a way

in what you guys do.

So it's crazy
that both of you are up here.

I loved both of your acts.

‐ ♪ I believe ♪

‐ But I feel more passionate
about one of the acts,

and that is Duo Transcend.
I love you guys.

‐ All right.
Two votes for Duo Transcend.

‐ I love you, guys.

‐ Alesha.

‐ For me, both of these couples
are equally skilled

and I enjoyed both
performances.

But the act that I would like
to see in the finals,

the act that I think
just has that little bit

more of an edge.

So that would be...

Duo Transcend.

‐ All right,
three votes for Duo Transcend.

Thank you so much,
Duo Destiny.

You've been awesome.

America,
here are your finalists.

♪ ♪

They'll be joining
Silhouettes,

Angelina Jordan,

Boogie Storm,

and V. Unbeatable.

I'm Terry Crews.

Goodnight, America.