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'You make the violin sexy': Michigan violinist Philip Bowen grabs Sofia Vergara's eyeballs after shedding over 50lbs

After shedding more than 50lbs since his audition, Philip Bowen caught everyone's attention, particularly judge Sofia Vergara who called his act 'sexy'

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: On Tuesday's episode of 'America's Got Talent', eleven artists competed for two slots in the finale and one judge was particularly captivated by a violinist. On September 5, 2023, Michigan violinist Philip Bowen's frenetic performance astounded the judges. Judge Sofia Vergara was particularly fascinated.

Philip, a violinist, closed off the first hour. He stated prior to his audition that he was contemplating quitting. He wasn't in good health before the audition, but he's shed more than 50 lbs since then.

"Everybody's on their feet," judge Howie Mandel stated following Philip's performance. "The energy in the room... I loved it. Hopefully, America loves it and votes for you," he added.

"I love you, too," Heidi Klum replied, adding, "I mean, you play great, but it’s the energy that you give. You have something special about you because you give more than 100%. You really do."

"You are a great entertainer. Great energy," Sofia added. "You make the violin sexy. What a show tonight. I loved it."

"It is every parent’s nightmare when a child says, I want to play the violin. And actually, you made it entertaining," Simon Cowell remarked.

"It was a really good choice of song. You are such a great personality, and you know what, I can feel how much this means to you. And I think the audience at home is going to really like you," he added.

"How much does this mean to you right now?" Terry Crews, the show's host, inquired of Philip. "It means everything to me," he said, still panting. "I’m down 50 pounds since the last time I was here. Cora, Stella, Henry... this is for you. Dad loves you!"

Philip Bowen was dubbed the 'weakest' violinist on 'AGT'

Philip has shed nearly 50lbs since his audition in April. According to his web followers, he's a good fiddler. He plays quickly and appears to be enjoying the time of his life up there.

However, the Qualifiers act as a whole seemed a touch corny to some viewers. One person took to X to write, "Violin guy was alright."

Another person chimed in, "Of all the violin acts this show has ever had, Philip Bowen has to be the weakest. At least come out with a Viper."

Another person noted, "Still waiting on the talent to show up."

One user further tweeted, "He's good at what he does, but he won't go through. The violin got quite a bit out of tune."

'AGT' contestant Philip Bowen releases new album

From TikTok to the stage, Philip Bowen, formerly of Montgomery, has piggybacked from his successful TikTok and YouTube videos to participating in the quarterfinals of 'AGT' and producing a full-length, original album called 'Old Kanawha'.

Philip and West Virginia native and rising artist Charles Wesley Godwin perform together in the title tune.

In 'Old Kanawha', Philip portrays the rivers of West Virginia in great detail. The official lyric video for the song 'Old Kanawha' is available on YouTube.

When will 'AGT' Season 18 Qualifiers 4 air?

'AGT' Season 18 enters the fourth of five weeks of the Qualifiers phase. Brace yourselves because 'AGT' Season 18 Qualifiers 4 will air on September 12.

Each of the five weeks, eleven of the 55 performers invited to participate will perform. Only two will be chosen by popular voting in America! Who stays and who goes home will no longer be decided by the judges, Howie, Heidi, Sofia, and Simon.

NBC airs 'AGT' LIVE performance shows on Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT. The one-hour results programs air on Wednesdays at 8 pm ET/PT.

'America's Got Talent' Season 18 now airs both Tuesdays and Wednesdays on NBC at 8 pm ET.