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'AGT' Season 18: Internet calls out show for 'second-hand talent' after impressionist Papayaso fails to wow fans

Papayaso began his act with bad animal impressions before impressing the judges and live audience with his spot-on celebrity impersonations

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 auditions on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, saw various performers impress the judges with their unique talents. Papayaso was one such contestant who dazzled with his Simon Cowell impression. Fans, however, were unimpressed by his act, criticizing the judges for allowing Papayaso to advance to the next round.

Andres Parada, a sketch comedian from Tubac, Arizona, performs as Papayaso, a Chilean clown. His act, already performed before for his YouTube audience, looked like a parody or comedy. Andres has had some success, including scripting a cartoon that became a Nickelodeon production named 'Tennis, the Good Boy'.

'Best impressionist'

Andres Parada, also known as Papayaso the Clown, a clown from Chile, did not wow with his impressions of an elephant or a dog, but he nails celebrity impressions. He did nearly flawless impersonations of Jason Statham, David Attenborough, Adam Driver, and Jimmy Fallon. He brought the house down with his Simon imitation at the end of his show.

Howie Mandel referred to Papayaso as one of the "best impressionists" he'd ever heard. Simon, who has a well-known fear of clowns, informed him that he could be the world's sole humorous clown. Papayaso got through the auditions with four yeses.

'Don’t think they should have voted through'

Reacting to the audition, fans tweeted, "Creepy. Continues the cliche of creepy clowns." Another person chimed in, "I found that a bit corny but hey the judges found it funny." One user also declared, "Uh. He's a fun personality, but do ya'll actually think those impressions were spot on? Simon's in particular was....not good. Sounded like any old British accent." A fourth user tweeted, "Papayosa does a pretty good impression of a high school Spanish student."

On Instagram, one user wrote, "These are the worst impressions." Under the audition clip uploaded on YouTube, fans wrote, "If he did the impressions without telling who they were, it is doubtful that anyone would have recognized them. Sounded nothing like Jimmy Fallon."

Another person complained, "Wow agt just can’t find anyone with talent. It should be call second hand talent." A person added, "His impressions were average. Don’t think they should have voted through. Not very good."

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