'What were they thinking?' 'AGT' fans disagree with judges on season's Group Golden Buzzer winner Chibi Unity
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 premiered its final audition episode on August 8 night, with dance troupe Chibi Unity receiving the Golden Buzzer from all four judges and host Terry Crews. However, people at home appeared to disagree with their selection for this season, believing they weren't as excellent as last season's champions, The Mayyas.
Chibi Unity, a Japanese dance ensemble, impressed Judge Sofia Vergara during their dynamic audition. "My heart was beating," she said after the group's performance. Her fellow Judges were also enthralled and pressed the Group Golden Buzzer.
Motivated to audition after seeing The Mayyas
"We all loved you so much that we, collectively, would like to give you something special," Simon Cowell remarked before the group pressed the buzzer. "You are gonna make this season very, very special!"
Prior to their performance, the group claimed that they were motivated to audition for the program after seeing The Mayyas, Sofia's Season 17 Golden Buzzer, who went on to win the entire season. The judges couldn't stop raving about Chibi Unity as they performed their mesmerizing and wonderfully in-sync dancing routine.
"The dance category, this year on Season 18 is off the charts, but you took it to another level," Howie Mandel said. "The emotion that comes out of your dancing is inspirational ... I love the speed and dexterity. I would love to see a show, an hour of you, in Las Vegas."
Heidi Klum appreciated it "because it was unexpected." "It was very dynamic and super good," she went on to say.
Meanwhile, Sofia said that she "was getting goosebumps and my heart was beating." "It was the best dancing I've ever seen in my life!" she said. "I would say it was the perfect AGT audition," she added.
"It was so powerful, so original, so incredible," Simon said before the buzzer. "Amazing. I think right now we're all thinking the same thing," he added. He then encouraged Terry to join him on the judges' panel, where they both pressed the buzzer.
'It really didn’t deserve the golden buzzer'
On Instagram, fans complained, "Did the judges got paid to give the golden buzzer?! Makes no sense. it was horrible. This was such a messy choreography, they were not in sink , awful music and ugly outfit . It really didn’t deserve the golden buzzer. We have seen much better dancing on that show. It was horrible." Another user chimed in, "Typical.... of course it's another dance crew getting a buzzer." Others wrote, "The show is already terrible because they give too many sob stories to a Singer and this act was wasted of a golden buzzer." A fourth user asked, "I'm not impressed... And what is with the white face??"
On Twitter, fans seemed disappointed with their comparison with the past season's winner, "They were okay, but that's about it. The only thing about saying you're an act that can compete with the Mayyas is that they had sex appeal. (And I say that as someone who isn't a fan!)" Another person added, "I mean, this is just COOL (but I won't say they're better than the Mayyas YET)." One user also tweeted, "Did not deserve it. Sorry." One person asked, "What the hell were they thinking. Absolutely nothing impressive about that group?"
They were okay, but that's about it.
— Dayanara Ryelle 虎 (@DayaRyelle) August 9, 2023
The only thing about saying you're an act that can compete with the Mayyas is that they had sex appeal. (And I say that as someone who isn't a fan!) #AGT
I mean, this is just COOL (but I won't say they're better than the Mayyas YET) #AGT
— Josh Kennon (@skatefan78) August 9, 2023
What the hell were they thinking. Absolutely nothing impressive about that group
— Rub (@rubguy) August 9, 2023
New episodes of 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 air every Tuesday on NBC at 8 pm ET.