'AGT' Season 18: Howie Mandel's new look sparks meme fest as fans compare his hairdo to his 'favorite' act Avantgardey
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: Howie Mandel was unrecognizable following a startling change in appearance on the 'America's Got Talent' live performance.
The unexpected turn shocked other judges and was even dubbed scary by viewers who noticed a strange parallel to one of the show's performances.
During the broadcast, 'AGT' host Terry Crews read a message directed at Howie from an Oklahoma viewer.
"Howie didn't like some of the acts tonight," the fan said. Well, sir, I don't like your hat tonight. Same hat as last week and the week before!"
As Terry completed reading the complaint, Howie took off his plum-colored hat and donned a black bob-cut wig, much to the chagrin of his co-judges and the studio audience.
Terry questioned Heidi Klum, "Heidi you like this or the hat? Which one?" as the former 'Deal or No Deal' host tossed his new hair side to side in a Tina Turner-like way.
"I like this," the supermodel said. "He should wear it for the rest of the night!"
As the audience applauded, Howie jumped up and gyrated his body, flinging the wig all over his head. The TV personality shared the video on his Instagram account on Tuesday, captioning it, "Is this better? #AGT"
He also posted another photo of himself wearing both the hat and the wig, labeled "Feeling avant-garde #AGT," of himself posing on the red carpet.
Fans didn't hold back from calling out the judge's bias as they wrote, "I can see from your reaction after their audition and after today's act that Avantgarde is your favorite!"
Another person chimed in, "@terrycrews & @howiemandel >I would like you to do a collaborative dance as a guest member of Avantgardey (wearing that wig, of course." A third user wrote, "The other 5th Beatle."
One user also asked, "When did you join Avangardey??" Another person chimed in, "It’s giving Lord Farquaad."
One fan wrote, "This is the Willy Wonka we deserved vs Depp." While another added a "nestling doll emoji" before adding "but creepier."
Did Avantgardey make it to 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 finale?
The instant save winner took the last slot among the top 11 finalists. Each judge selected one of the eliminated qualifying acts for the quick save voting procedure.
Sofia Vergara went with Gabriel Henrique, Simon Cowell went with Chioma and The Atlanta Drum Academy, Heidi Klum went with Herwan Legaillard, and Howie went with Avantgardey.
After the voting lines were closed, Avantgardey advanced to the final after receiving the most votes.
When will 'AGT' Season 18's finale air?
Mark September 26 and 27 on your calendars for the 'AGT' finale. The top 11 performers will compete for a grand prize of $1 million and a sought-after Las Vegas performance.
Who will compete in 'AGT' Season 18's finale?
After September 20's episode, the top 11 acts to perform on 'AGT' finale on September 26 are as follows:
Murmuration
Adrian Stoica & Hurricane
Ahren Belisle
Mzansi Youth Choir
Avantgardey
Putri Ariani
Lavender Darcangelo
Ramadhani Brothers
Anna Deguzman
Chibi Unity
82nd Airborne Division Chorus
'America's Got Talent' Season 18 airs every Tuesday and Wednesday on NBC at 8 pm ET