'AGT: Fantasy League' Finale: Viewers find Sainted Trap Choir's rendition of Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' horrible
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Following their stunning 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League' audition, which resulted in a Golden Buzzer push from their Dream Team mentor Simon Cowell, Sainted Trap Choir arrived in the Semifinals eager to shine even brighter. However, during their last performance on February 12, viewers weren't delighted with the group's Madonna cover.
"Our mentor, Simon, has had a great hand in our song selection this time," said Sainted co-founder Fannie Mae to NBC Insider. "Coming out of the last round … he felt like America didn’t get to know us."
Talk about a religious experience 🙏 truly unforgettable @bigsainted #AGT pic.twitter.com/xPB0QVLazo
— Heidi Klum (@heidiklum) February 13, 2024
Simon directed them to a song, saying it would "paint a picture" of "where we came from, where we want to go." They chose Madonna's song 'Like a Prayer' for their musical self-portrait. The 1989 pop-gospel and funk song features vivid visuals and a captivating tune. "I don't think anyone's done a great cover version of it yet," Simon added, mentioning that the song was ready for reinvention and had "fantastic" lyrics.
Sainted's vibrant harmonies and uplifting, flowing movement gave the Madonna song a unique spin, but not everyne seemed to be happy with it. On X, one user wrote, "Not bad but it's the same thing as always does when is about that song, a religious chorus."
Not bad but it's the same thing as always does when is about that song, a religious chorus.
— RAY (@rayliuhk) February 13, 2024
On Facebook, users commented, "They were good until the end when whoever that guy was started to yell out what the singers were supposed to sing. It was horrible." "Great performance and singer's. But not #1 for me," argued another. Another user added, "I felt the rendition was somewhat over-wrought."
Some believed, "They would have a better shot at winning if they did the prince song this week instead of last time." On Instagram, fans wrote, "Didn't like the song choice Madonna used to do it with a Choir. So it wasn't as original as Simmon said it would be but that being said they are great and talented singers."
Simon Cowell 'in heaven' after Sainted Trap Choir perform Madonna's 'Like a Prayer'
"I actually feel I'm literally in heaven," remarked Simon, who was obviously struck by the performance's emotional impact. "Seriously, I have seen how hard this group has worked from day one.… I love everything about you." Mel B was equally impressed. "You can sing anything and everything," she stated, adding that their coordinated motions were incredibly fluid. "I'm not going to swear...I felt it in my belly, in my soul."
"Every time you've been on this stage, you’ve delivered an unforgettable performance," she added. Howie Mandel quipped that Mel B was so intrigued that she avoided vulgarity. "You take us to church," he instructed the group. "I feel like we're in church. This experience is spiritual and uplifting … You used the perfect word, Simon. This was heavenly."
What happened to Sainted Trap Choir in 'AGT'?
The powerful choir, created in 2020, first appeared on 'America's Got Talent' during season 18 in 2023 but was ousted in the quarterfinals. Simon then added them to his Fantasy League squad, and they came back strong. After obtaining permission to use Prince's 'Purple Rain'—a song that is seldom authorized, according to producers— the 25-person gospel-meets-hip-hop choir impressed the judges with their passionate version in the qualification round.
As a consequence, Simon used his Golden Buzzer to send Sainted directly to the finals. "I remember being a kid rehearsing in the mirror, pretending that we were before crowds like this," Sainted director Dennis Reed Jr recalled after the exhilarating moment. "Never stop believing; always keep dreaming; you can do it! You can make it!"
Where is Sainted Trap Choir from?
Founded in 2020 and located in Charlotte, North Carolina, members identify themselves as a "trap choir" since they combine gospel, worship, and trap music. When questioned by 'AGT' Judge and executive producer Simon, who had the idea to bring their performance to the 'AGT' stage, the group replied, "God's idea."
The 'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League' results episode will air on Monday, February 19, at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC.