HOME / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

'AGT' viewers call Sunny Chatum's act insensitive to people with autism: 'This is why stigma still exists'

Even though comedian Krista Komondor aka Sunny Chatum, received backlash from the Internet, the judges let her move forward to the next round

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: A Texas guy came to the 'America's Got Talent' Season 18 stage with a prepared dream board clearly inspired by a previous 'AGT' winner. However, Sunny Chatum, the ukulele-wielding guy, was not what he seemed to be during the auditions.

According to her website, Krista Komondor is a New York-based comedian and clown with several faces. Madame Komondor, a mute clown dubbed "Piano," and "Mr. Saturday Night," a figure described as "a cross between Johnny Cash, The Bard, and a Village Idiot," are among the characters. Sunny is another one of Komondor's numerous faces. The comedian incorporates stand-up, improv, clowning, and playwriting into her acts, which have been described as "absurd, poignant, and captivating." It's safe to say that Krista pulled off the character of Sunny quite well during the 'AGT' auditions, but her act was termed "annoying" and insensitive by some. 

'Suddenly, everybody loves you'

Sunny is described to be originally from Paris, Texas. He specializes in bespoke automobiles and trucks, claiming to be influenced by Grace Vanderwaal. On the 'AGT' stage, Sunny displayed his "dream board" to the judges, which was perceived as bizarre and rather taken as a joke. Howie Mandel was the first one to press the buzzer. The person seemed to have no intention of ever singing and behaved more like a stand-up comedian. As if on cue, the audience began booing, and Simon Cowell buzzed him off as well.

Soon, the audience started chanting, "Sing a song...," with Sofia Vergara buzzing him off next, followed by Heidi Klum, who previously threatened to hit her buzzer and finally did it when Sunny didn't make an attempt to sing. However, the climax of the act was what took the judges and the audience aback as the Texan revealed himself to be a Brooklyn-based comedian. Mandel likened him to Andy Kaufman and retracted his buzzer, saying, "Based on that, I like you," to which Cowell added, "You've gone from being the most annoying contestant to suddenly, everybody loves you." It's safe to say that the comedian was able to move forward to the next round even after getting four X's, making it a rare event on the 'AGT' stage, 

'Terrible act!'

Even though Sunny managed to impress the judges in the end, 'AGT' viewers seemed to have taken offense to Komondor's act and let their opinions known on social media. One tweeted, "I'm not gonna lie, I did not like this. As some who is Autistic, this made me very uncomfortable and I felt bad because I thought he was having anxiety or something and they were being so damn mean. I did not like this." Another person chimed in, "as someone who’s autistic, this makes me incredibly upset - this is so clearly making fun of autism & anxiety. it’s not funny at all. this is why stigma still exists. everyone was laughing at the “act” - compromised of usual signs that someone may be on the spectrum. wow." Agreeing with Klum, one person wrote, "Im with Heidi on that one. A funny comedian could have pulled that off. Sunny, not so much." "I don't know who I'm more annoyed at, him or the judges. This type of act for making fun of those who struggle with communication and interacting with others or the judges harsh reaction. This was not fun and the surprising thing about it felt icky and gross," expressed one who clearly didn't like the performance. A user also wrote, "That made fun of autism! Terrible act!" "This was beyond stupid & annoying. How in the world does that qualify as talent? There has not been that many good acts this year," added one more 'AGT' viewer. 

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