Will Loren Allred advance to ‘AGT: Fantasy League’ finale? Mel B criticizes contestant's ‘masterclass’ act despite standing ovation
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: ‘America's Got Talent: Fantasy League’ Season 1 contestant Loren Allred recently mesmerized the NBC show judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel. The contestant performed ‘Over the Rainbow’ from the film, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ during the semi-final.
The contestant’s ‘masterclass’ performance received a standing ovation from all four judges. However, Mel criticized Loren’s song choice and seemingly took a dig at her mentor Simon.
Soon after Loren’s semi-final performance, Mel said, "You have a voice that is just to die for literally."
She elaborated, “I mean you could sing absolutely anything which is actually my point because I think if I was your mentor I would have chosen a different song because you could have had everybody in this audience crying." However, the audience seemed not to be in support of Mel and booed her.
However, other judges complimented Loren's performance. Simon said, "Wow Loren that was what I call a masterclass... that’s how you do it." Heidi chimed in and said, "I think I can speak for everyone in this room but you are giving us all the feels."
She added, "I mean and you just sounded just so beautiful." Howie complimented, "It’s up to the audience they can only pick one but I loved it. America is going to love it. You’re amazing."
Loren Allred performed on ‘The Greatest Showman’
Loren Allred is known for her stunning work in ‘The Greatest Showman’. In a previous episode of the ‘AGT’ spinoff, Simon Cowell told his fellow judges, “One of my favorite movies ever was ‘The Greatest Showman’ and one of my favorite songs in the movie is the song 'Never Enough'."
He continued, “And then I found out, actually, the girl who sings the song in the movie wasn't singing the song.” He further noted, "It was actually Loren's vocal."
For the unaware, Rebecca Ferguson starred as Jenny Lind in the musical and 'sang' the powerhouse ballad on screen. Simon seemed to be thrilled to have Loren on his dream team. She also competed in ‘Britain's Got Talent’ in 2022.
Loren Allred reflects on her life-changing moment
In ‘AGT: Fantasy League’ Season 1, Loren recalled the moment she was chosen to sing a top charting song. She bagged a life-changing opportunity when she met ‘The Greatest Showman’ songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who asked her to sing the demo track for 'Never Enough'.
The contestant shared to the cameras, "I went into the studio and I sang the song, and then they said, 'We're thinking about having the actress lip-sync to your vocal.’” Loren recalled, “And I just thought, Oh my gosh. I was so excited to have my voice be in the film."
Notably, the song soon climbed the charts and became the best-selling album of 2018 in the United States. The song also earned a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
'America's Got Talent: Fantasy League' airs every Monday at 8 pm ET on NBC.
