'AGT' Season 18: Fans call Anna DeGuzman a 'fraud' as she becomes first female magician to make it to finals
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: After the September 13 episode of 'America's Got Talent', fans are arguing that "America got it wrong."
In this week's qualifications, Anna Deguzman and Chibi Unity received the most votes, and fans appeared to be particularly angry with the former choice.
While the 11 artists awaited their fate, Terry Crews delivered a review package of the September 12 performances.
Then it was time for the Top 5. D'Corey Johnson, an 11-year-old vocalist, took on Puppet Simon & the Cowbelles first.
It wasn't really a surprise that D'Corey made it because Puppet Simon received two buzzes on Tuesday night - Simon Cowell and Sofia Vergara.
Chibi Unity, a Japanese dance ensemble, and vocalist Roland Abante were called up next.
There was no question that Chibi Unity had won the election. They were named the greatest act on Tuesday night by the judges.
Mariandrea, a dancer, and Zion Clark, a legless athlete, came in third place.
Zion Clark was the last performer standing in the competition.
Terry then summoned comedian Orlando Leyba and hand shadow puppeteer Shadow Ace. Shadow Ace rose to the fifth position.
The Freedom Singers, country singer Kylie Fry, magician Anna DeGuzman, and country singer Kylie Fry were all competent enough to participate in the final.
Anna was the final performer to be chosen for the final five.
Then it was time to choose the top three. Chibi Unity was the first act Terry announced would go on, followed by Shadow Ace and finally Anna.
Then it was time to reveal the Top 2 - Chibi Unity was the first act to advance to the finals. Anna was the second act to make it to the end.
On X, people reacted, "Anna should not have made it. She already exposed herself as a fraud by letting us know she is not a real magician. She was shocked her own trick worked #agt and she is always so nervous trembling."
Another person chimed in, "I am annoyed that Anna Deguzman went through. I thought there were better acts that should've gone through instead of her and I didn't think she was very good either."
One viewer complained, "Oh, NO!!! I could watch an hour of Shadow Ace in Vegas. I could not watch an hour of Anna. Heck, she could probably only do two tricks in an hour..."
One user tweeted, "I agree Simon. Anna needs to go throw."
Anna should not have made it. She already exposed herself as a fraud by letting us know she is not a real magician. She was shocked her own trick worked #agt and she is always so nervous trembling.
— 🤔 (@Jamaica658) September 14, 2023
I am annoyed that Anna Deguzman went through. I thought there were better acts that should've gone through instead of her and I didn't think she was very good either #AGT
— Onceuponatime (@booklover986) September 14, 2023
Oh, NO!!! I could watch an hour of Shadow Ace in Vegas. I could not watch an hour of Anna. Heck, she could probably only do two tricks in an hour...
— knock it off... (@JanetEliassen) September 14, 2023
#agt
.@SimonCowell #AGT I agree Simon. Anna needs to go throw
— seabreezer (@seabreezer528) September 14, 2023
One user argued, "Whoever was voting got hit with the stupid stick."
Another person added, "Again, genuinely surprised for Anna, but also very happy for her."
Again, genuinely surprised for Anna, but also very happy for her. #AGT
— 𝔄𝔫𝔡𝔯𝔢𝔴 ℭ𝔬𝔩𝔩𝔢𝔱 (@AndrewCollet) September 14, 2023
Where is 'AGT' magician Anna DeGuzman from?
Anna is New Jersey's only remaining 'AGT' act in this year's competition.
However, her performance in the semifinal round may have pushed her over the brink.
The magician, who was born in Bergenfield and now resides in Los Angeles, is one of the acts competing for the 'AGT' final.
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Has a magician ever won 'AGT'?
Mat Franco was the first magician to win the competition, confounding the judges and audience members with his charm and baffling tricks.
Since 2015, he has held a residency at The LINQ Hotel in Las Vegas. He has also made several guest appearances on 'AGT', performing with Season 16 champion Dustin Tavella.
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Shin Lim appeared on Season 13 of 'AGT' as a magician. He won the competition, taking home a $1,000,000 prize and the opportunity to headline a concert in Las Vegas.
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Dustin Tavella also advanced to the finals, where he competed with Mat Franco and Rico Rodriguez before winning on September 15, 2021. Beating out nine other finalists for the $1 million golden prize.
When will 'AGT' Season 18 Qualifiers 5 air?
New episodes of 'AGT' Season 18 air on NBC every Tuesday and Wednesday at 8/7c. However, Qualifiers 5 will air on Tuesday, September 19 (the performance show) and Wednesday, September 20.
The fifth week of 'AGT' live performances for Season 18 will be back, with 11 of the 55 overall acts performing in front of judges Simon, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sofia, as well as host, Terry.