'AGT' Season 19: Watch Helen the Juggler bedazzle audience as fans call out judges over no Golden Buzzer
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: 'America's Got Talent' has released an early audition from Season 19, airing on Tuesday, July 9, showcasing a foot juggler who amazed the judges with her unique talents. However, many fans took to the comments to criticize the judges for not giving Helen the Foot Juggler the chance to receive a Golden Buzzer.
Helen started by spinning several sequin-covered fabric circles with her hands and feet while lying on her back. She then upped the ante by using her feet to balance a large square table.
Helen kicked the table into the air and caught it with her feet, leaving both judges and the audience visibly amazed. She eventually balanced one table leg on one foot, even flipping it around into various orientations.
She also added a piece of cloth to her other foot and spun sparkling hoops around her arms, adding even more bling to the performance. When Helen stood up after her act, the audience erupted in applause, and she appeared emotional.
She received standing ovations from all four judges, but not a single Golden Buzzer was awarded. On YouTube, fans complained, with one stating, "She deserves a Golden buzzer, that was phenomenal." Another fan added, "Deserve Golden Buzzer."
One fan wrote, "Helen deserved a Golden Buzzer. She is the Golden Juggler, come on judges." Another fan said, "Giving Golden Buzzer should be much appreciated."
One fan noted, "Wow! I’ve never seen anything like this. Come on AGT, she deserved a golden buzzer." Another added, "She deserve the golden buzzer ..She's so fun to watch ..brilliant talent."
'AGT' Season 19 judges go 'crazy' over Helen the Foot Juggler's audition
Helen was informed by Sofía Vergara that although she wasn't first enthralled with the act, it turned out to be rather entertaining. "You could have juggled for me for a whole hour, and I would have been super happy," she said.
Observing that she may juggle some "crazy things" in the following round, Heidi Klum remarked that the audience had "not seen anything like this before" on the show. Simon Cowell then stepped in, suggesting pizza at that point.
"Simon, you build it, I juggle it," Helen shot back. According to Howie Mandel, Helen's "career is about to take off." The four judges all said "yes," allowing her to proceed to the next round.
Who is Helen the Foot Juggler in 'AGT' Season 19?
Helen, a novelty juggler from Season 19 of 'AGT', is known as Helen the Foot Juggler. Her true name is Helen Wonjila. Born and raised in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, Helen currently resides in San Diego and is a full-time mother. In recent months, she has performed at NBA and NHL halftime shows.
'AGT's Helen the Foot Juggler set out to become a gymnast
Helen was one of several talented gymnasts awarded scholarships in China. She and the other champion gymnasts expected a gymnastics scholarship but discovered it was a circus scholarship. Due to the language barrier, this error could not be corrected.
Due to her lengthy legs, Helen was chosen to learn foot juggling. After her scholarship, she moved to Germany to pursue her circus career before eventually settling in the Middle East and Turkey. She was later employed, along with several other Ethiopian gymnasts, to work in a safari park in San Diego.
Watch 'America's Got Talent' Season 19 on NBC every Tuesday at 8 pm ET.