'What were they thinking?' 'AGT' fans disagree with judges on season's Group Golden Buzzer winner Chibi Unity

Terry Crews gave out this season's Group Golden Buzzer to the Japanese dance group Chibi Unity
Chibi Unity bags 'AGT' Season 18's Group Golden Buzzer (NBC)
Chibi Unity bags 'AGT' Season 18's Group Golden Buzzer (NBC)

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?"



 



 



 



 

New episodes of 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 air every Tuesday on NBC at 8 pm ET.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘Silo’ Season 3 Episode 7 ends with major revelations about Kennedy, Knox, the Safeguard Protocol, and the mysterious origins of the silos
1 hour ago
Earlier reports indicated that Disney+ had begun development on the project in March 2025
4 hours ago
Everything you need to know about when ‘Lanterns’ premieres on HBO Max, including the release date and time.
9 hours ago
Juno Temple addresses Roy and Keeley reunion rumors in 'Ted Lasso' Season 4, with fans wondering where their relationship is headed
15 hours ago
'Lethal Weapon' famed actress joins 'Off Campus' Season 2 as Summer Di Laurentis, adding a familiar face to the story.
15 hours ago
'Heated Rivalry' star's slip-up has sparked fresh questions among the fans about the scale of Season 2, leading him to quit the platform.
16 hours ago
'American Horror Story' Season 13 brings back fan-favorite characters from across the anthology as FX reveals when the massive crossover will begin.
18 hours ago
'Tires' Season 3 adds plenty of new stars as the chaos follows them into Shane and Will's garage
20 hours ago
Jessica Lange will play all her iconic characters in 'American Horror Story' Season 13
1 day ago
The upcoming Western drama is based on Louis L'Amour's novel of the same name
1 day ago