Interviews with Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and AGT contestants

TV Interview!

Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum, judges on "America's Got Talent" on NBC

Interview with Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and contestants of “America’s Got Talent” on NBC by Suzanne 8/9/22

This was a fun night (but very long). Members of the press were invited to watch the live show (Quarterfinals) and then interview some of the judges and most of the contestants! It was very entertaining – even if it did go on for 4 hours! I don’t normally watch shows like this, but I loved it. I can’t wait for the one coming up August 16! These comments below are just my impressions from watching them. All of these artists worked very hard on their acts. I feel bad for the ones that didn’t make it to the next round.

Heidi Klum

Heidi Klum, judge on "America's Got Talent" on NBC

There were two judges there, but Heidi Klum was the one I was able to speak to (see Howie Mandel below). She was very funny and went on for quite a while.

 

Howie Mandel

It was great to see Howie because I used to watch him on “St. Elsewhere” years ago when I was in college. Great show, but he’s really come a long way. He was hilarious in this chat.

 

Amazing Veranica & Her Incredible Friends

Here are my favorites of the acts. I was really hoping this girl would go on to the next round because her act was so adorable. She’s only 12 years old!  Learn More about her Instagram

 

Players Choir

I thought these guys would go on to the next round because they’re very talented. They sing, dance and put on a great show! The crowd clearly loved them. What a great idea to have a choir made out of NFL players! We only got to see a few of them on Zoom, though, because it’s a big group. Learn More   Instagram

 

Avery Dixon

This guy is not only very talented and has a great story, but he puts on a great show and has a lot of charisma. I wasn’t too surprised when he went on to the next round because you could tell the judges really liked him. Official Site  Instagram

 

Don McMillan

There were two comedians among the contestants. They were both OK, but I didn’t think either of them was outstanding.  Don was slightly funnier, I thought, than the other one. Both of them are professionals who perform standup regularly, so what do I know? Official Site  Instagram

 

Lace Larrabee

Lace was funniest, I thought, when she was fighting with Simon during the show, and in our interview, where she was clearly still very angry with him.  Like Don above, she is a professional comic. I don’t think you can fight with the judges, though, and expect to go on to the next round…? Maybe that’s just me. She’s a very busy woman, based in Atlanta. I will say that she has a sharp wit. I would watch her in a good sitcom.  Official Site  Instagram

 

Drake Milligan

I wasn’t as excited about this act as everyone else. To me, he’s just another pretty-boy country singer… but then, I’m not really into country music. The judges and crowd seemed to love him, and he was the other one selected to go on to the next round. He has an album coming out in September, and he’s already going places. Official Site  Instagram

 

Ben Lapidus

This guy does comedy-singing. He thinks he’s a lot funnier than he is. The audience seemed to like him, but I’m not sure why. My question got cut off of the video for some reason. I asked him if he was influenced by “Weird Al” Yankovic. His bit is singing about Parmesan. Sorry, I’m allergic to dairy!  Official Site  Instagram

Oleksandr Yenivatov and Aurélie Yenivatov

Oleksandr is a contortionist, which is a very unusual act. He’s also got a weird-looking face and looks kind of creepy (which he plays to).  AurĂ©lie is his wife and partner in the show, and they’re circus performers by trade.  It’s a very strange act, but I didn’t think he would win because it’s a little unpleasant to watch.  He’s from Ukraine, so he mentions that a lot. In this interview, which was the last one of the night, they paired them with dancers (below).  Learn More  Instagram

Stefanny and Yeeremy

These dancers from Colombia did a great job, but they were nothing special, so I didn’t think they would go on to the next round, either. Unfortunately, the interview was difficult because most of them had very limited English. Learn More  Instagram

 

Amoukanama

This is a group of acrobats from a circus in Guinea. They were very good, but they didn’t really wow the crowd or judges. Official Site  Instagram

 

Ava Swiss

Ava is a pop singer. She’s fine, but she wasn’t outstanding. Her back-story is interesting because she was a survivor of a high school shooting in Oxford, Michigan, last November.  Tragically, there are so many mass shootings now in the U.S. that it hardly stands out (not enough to give her any help in the competition). She was judged on her talent more than her sad backstory. Learn More  Instagram

 

MORE INFO:

The 17th season of “America’s Got Talent” returns with a new set of aspiring performers looking to compete for the ultimate $1 million prize. Executive producer Simon Cowell returns to the star-studded judging panel with global fashion icon Heidi Klum, fan-favorite comedian Howie Mandel and acclaimed actress and international superstar Sofia Vergara. The dynamic Terry Crews returns as host. This season promises to deliver some of the wildest acts to ever grace the “AGT” stage. Official Website

Judges of "America's Got Talent" on NBCAugust 2, 2022

New Supersized Format Means More Acts Than Ever Before Are Set to Compete for $1 Million Prize

“America’s Wildcard” Is Back as Fans Choose an Additional Act to Advance to the Live Shows 

  • “America’s Got Talent,” summer’s most-watched show for the 17th straight year, returns to the Pasadena Civic Center for six weeks of live shows beginning Tuesday, Aug. 9 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) on NBC. Results shows will air Wednesday nights (8-9 p.m. ET/PT).
  • In a series first, there will be 55 acts, divided into five qualifying rounds, that will perform live for “America’s Got Talent” judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and host Terry Crews. Voting is more important than ever before, as each week, only two acts of the 11 that perform will move directly into the finale – both acts will be decided by viewers from the overnight vote.
  • These top 10 finalists will be joined by an 11th act – a “Final Wildcard” – chosen by the viewers in an Instant Save on Wednesday, September 7th. This vote will consist of four eliminated Live Show acts, each selected by one of the judges.
  • The top 11 finalists will compete one last time for America’s vote and the chance to win a $1 million prize during the two-night finale on Sept. 13 & 14. The winner will also perform in “America’s Got Talent Las Vegas LIVE” at Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
  • Below are the 54 acts the judges selected for the live shows, including a wide variety of singers, dancers, comedians, contortionists, magicians and more.
  • “America’s Wildcard” spot is back with four acts in contention for the final spot in the live shows. Viewers can go to NBC.com or the “AGT” app to rewatch the four performances and vote for their favorite contestants. Voting is open from Tuesday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. ET until Friday, Aug. 5 at 7 a.m. ET. The winning act will perform on the live show on Tuesday, Sept. 6 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT).
  • Throughout the live shows, viewers of “America’s Got Talent” will have a chance to vote for their favorite act at NBC.com/AGTVote and via the “AGT” App (available through Google Play and on the App Store).

AGT promotional poster - Host and Judges of "America's Got Talent" on NBC

The 54 Acts Advancing to the Live Shows Include:

Acapop! @acapopkids https://youtu.be/ncorT1WTZ1I
Aiko Tanaka @aikocomedy https://youtu.be/7aqMHOWXObw
Amanda Mammana @amanda_mammana https://youtu.be/PQGYv6Khk8E
Amazing Veranica
& Her Incredible Friends
@amazingveranica https://youtu.be/OzcnneNlOtI
Amoukanama @amoukanama224 https://youtu.be/a7jZszvFpTY
Aubrey Burchell @aubreyburchellofficial https://youtu.be/kJpF20EtYG4
Ava Swiss @avaswissmusic https://youtu.be/6ahFTM-1y9kk
Avery Dixon * @averydixononsax https://youtu.be/7TOysi_1INs
Bayley Graham @bayley_taps https://youtu.be/R3gZCNMjig4
Ben Lapidus @benlapidusmusic https://youtu.be/2lbv4goST4w
Blade 2 Blade @tyronblade https://youtu.be/Ge4e4H0LWXU
Celia Muñoz @celiamunoz_artist_ https://youtu.be/amMxvPO0JBII
Chapel Heart * @chapelhartband https://youtu.be/WLKmDbDv6j0
Cline Twins @clinetwins https://youtu.be/85-EAq3c26AA
Don McMillan @donmcmillancomedy https://youtu.be/O6yL-piP_ho
Drake Milligan @drakemilligan https://youtu.be/p01x-Mk19n0
Duo Rings @duorings https://youtu.be/O-BZGbxbg5A
Freckled Zelda @thefreckledzelda https://youtu.be/2ILQhbSZ5Kc
Funkanometry @funkanometry_ https://youtu.be/X9b2MV-13xQQ
Fusion Japan @fusionjapan https://youtu.be/xhVV2T66f2I
Harper @thatyellaharper https://youtu.be/C-TkyCwy4CU
Hayden Kristal @haydenkristal https://youtu.be/8INeuzPxLIE
Jack Williams @puppetjack_ https://youtu.be/40jCjWXCgt00
Jannick Holste @jannick_magic https://youtu.be/tSgX0LURIOA
JoJo and Bri @joseph.b.clarke https://youtu.be/bHNQMbShnG8
Kristen Cruz @kristenncruz https://youtu.be/vusp-xMzOfk
Kristy Sellars @kristysellars https://youtu.be/VEqTD157_zw
Lace Larrabee @lacelarrabee https://youtu.be/JbDyhdDGhsEE
Lee Collinson @lee_collinson https://youtu.be/Ytx9u5bjPAg
Lily Meola * @lilymeola https://youtu.be/pamgs-9cxQ0
MPLUSPLUS @mplusplus_official https://youtu.be/ReAusknSMmss
Madison Taylor Baez (Maddie) * @madisonbaezmusic https://youtu.be/Xo_frfPIgC4
Max Ostler @maxostler_ https://youtu.be/OtCZyOQSVPE
Mayyas * @mayyasofficial https://youtu.be/ZD0doCSkBY8
Merissa Beddows @merissaria https://youtu.be/xtrB4tVjxZ88
Mervant Vera @mervant https://youtu.be/KGvbaLl33CY
Metaphysic @metaphysic.ai https://youtu.be/mPU0WNUzsBo
Mia Morris @miamorrismusic https://youtu.be/pFePLRs-u6gg
Mike E Winfield @mikeewinfield https://youtu.be/MGMPcGmjueY
Mr. Pants @thatsmrpants https://youtu.be/7O4KWPsXf8w
Nicolas RIBS @nicolasribsmagicien https://youtu.be/pa2NFcHS91M
Oleksandr Yenivatov @yenivatov https://youtu.be/nuKf2q7okZg
Players Choir @playerschoir https://youtu.be/Gk57yGYAESk
Sara James * @sara_james_music https://youtu.be/HZb-nym3HhA
Shu Takada @shutakada_yoyo https://youtu.be/kz214PN7bsE
Stefanny and Yeeremy @stefannym https://youtu.be/LEbpamA4HNc
The Brown Brothers @gabeandnatebrown https://youtu.be/3dOM9f7nqQ0
The Lazy Generation @thelazygenerationuk https://youtu.be/Im9qJbB7KKg
The Pack Drumline @thepackdrumline https://youtu.be/1K2n1G-joIw
Travis Japan @travis_japan_official https://youtu.be/xnAICeBS63I
urbancrew (Flyers of the South) @urbancrew_official_ig_ph https://youtu.be/Yg4t3iVMtxg
Wyn Starks @wynstarks https://youtu.be/KP5n42pIPVc
XOMG POP! @xomgpop https://youtu.be/WX3QYkTzfygg
Yu Hojin @hojin_yu https://youtu.be/WS7Vvd-Hp1k

*Golden Buzzers

Acts in Contention for “America’s Wildcard”:

Auzzy Blood @auzzyblood https://youtu.be/t9MpF28LMzs
Ben Waites @bjwaites https://youtu.be/oY4FctsUCfw
Debbii Dawson @debbiidawson https://youtu.be/t1P3uoG4KLM
Jordan Conley @loljordancon1ey https://youtu.be/k4d-zrWwglg

Heidi Klum

Judge, “America’s Got Talent”

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT -- Season: 17 -- Pictured: Heidi Klum -- (Photo by: Sami Drasin/NBC)
Heidi Klum serves as a judge on NBC’s hit summertime series “America’s Got Talent.”

Born in Germany, Klum began modeling at the age of 19 and shortly thereafter she appeared on the cover of the 1998 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue which then propelled her career. Klum’s many titles now include supermodel, producer, entrepreneur, television personality, actress, author and fashion designer and she has continued to make an impact across various industries. In 2013, she won an Emmy Award as Outstanding Television Host for her longtime hit, “Project Runway.”

Klum launched her most recent endeavor alongside her frieend Tim Gunn as co-creator, host and executive producer of Amazon Prime Video’s new fashion competition series, “Making the Cut.” Twelve talented designers competed to take their fledging brands to the next level with all the winning looks were shoppable on Amazon.

Klum is also the executive producer and host of “Queen of Drags,” which premiered in Germany in 2019, alongside drag queen Conchita Wurst and German singer Bill Kaulitz of the band Tokio Hotel.

Klum was the host and co-creator of “Project Runway” and also served as an executive producer for 16 seasons. Under Klum’s tenure, the show received 14 consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Reality Competition program, which is the second-most nominations in the category’s history. Klum is also the host and executive producer of “Germany’s Next Top Model,” a runaway hit for 15 seasons.

Author of lifestyle book “Body of Knowledge: 8 Rules of Model Behavior” as well as “Rankin’s Heidilicious” and “Heidi Klum by Rankin,” featuring some of her favorite photos taken by world-renowned photographer Rankin.

Klum’s acting appearances include “The Devil Wears Prada,” “Blow Dry,” “Ella Enchanted,” “Spin City,” “The Life and Death of Peter Sellers,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Sex and the City,” “Sesame Street” and a voiceover for “Hoodwinked Too.” She also swam with sharks for an episode for Discovery Channel’s popular “Shark Week” and hosted Lifetime’s “Seriously Funny Kids.” She hosted the 60th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards and has hosted various specials for MTV, TNT and CBS.

Klum has been the face of numerous brand campaigns over the years, worked with many of the world’s top photographers and has graced the cover of every major magazine across the globe.

Known for her epic Halloween bash and earning the nickname Queen of Halloween for her unpredictable, over the top costumes, this October marked the 20th anniversary of Heidi Halloween.

Klum’s charity involvements include work on behalf of such organizations as UNICEF, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, the American Red Cross (as part of its Celebrity Cabinet), God’s Love We Deliver, amfAR and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.  Klum also appears in PSAs for Stand Up to Cancer.

Howie Mandel

Judge, “America’s Got Talent”; Host/Executive Producer, “Deal or No Deal”

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT -- Season: 17 -- Pictured: Howie Mandell -- (Photo by: Sami Drasin/NBC)

Howie Mandel begins his 12th season as a judge on NBC’s summer hit “America’s Got Talent.”

Mandel hosts the podcast “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” alongside his daughter. He recently finished production on his new documentary, “Howie Mandel: But Enough About Me.” Other recent projects include judging NBC’s “America’s Got Talent: The Champions,” CNBC’s “Deal or No Deal,” where he served as executive producer and host, and Nat Geo’s “Wild’s Animals Doing Things,” where he co-hosted with his son Alex. He also executive produced the Quibi series “Kirby Jenner.”

In 2019 he released his first solo special in 20 years, “Howie Mandel Presents: Howie Mandel at the Howie Mandel Comedy Club.” In 2020 he teamed up with ePlay Digital and launched the charity “Breakout the Masks,” and mobile game campaign to give back to those involved in the fight against COVID-19. Via Howie’s Games, the first challenge is Outbreak, where players’ points translate to donations of N95 face masks, portable ventilators, gloves and other personal protective equipment to doctors, nurses and more frontline workers. The second game, SwishAR, has users looking for Mandel to join in a backyard basketball game to shoot hoops. Both games are available on the Apple App store and Google Play.

His additional projects as a host, actor, and/or executive producer include “Take It All” and “Howie Do It” for NBC, “Deal With It” for TBS and “Mobbed” for Fox. Previously, Mandel received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program for “Deal or No Deal” and a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Game Show Host for the syndicated version of the show. Mandel’s versatile career has encompassed virtually all aspects of the entertainment spectrum, including television, film and stage. From his work on the Emmy Award-winning “St. Elsewhere,” to the international animated children’s series “Bobby’s World,” Mandel has become a mainstay of the American comedy scene.

In 2009, Mandel added author to his resume when he released his frank, funny and no-holds-barred memoir, “Here’s the Deal: Don’t Touch Me.” The memoir revealed his ongoing struggle with OCD and ADHD, and how it has shaped his life and career. It made the New York Times bestseller list on its first week and remained on the list for several consecutive weeks. Mandel has done countless comedy specials both on cable and network television. He has also hosted his own syndicated talk show, “The Howie Mandel Show” and continues to be a mainstay on the talk show circuit. He also continues to perform as many as 200 stand-up comedy shows each year throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Season 17 premiere:
Tuesday, May 31, 2022 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Host:
Terry Crews

Judges:
Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara 

Created by:
Simon Cowell

Executive producers:
Simon Cowell, Sam Donnelly and Jason Raff

Executive in charge:
Mike Hofferth

Co-executive producers:
Ke’alohi Lee Lucero, Adam Shapiro

Senior supervising producers:
Nigel Caaro, Emma Greenhalgh, Meg MacGregor and Lev Mergian

Supervising producers:
Susan A. Moyer, Michelle Taylor

Senior producers:
Chris Crawford (post), Kayla DePew (acts)

Producers:
Maureen Biegas (post), Dan Bowen (post), Kristin Campbell-Taylor (reality), Jamie Citron, Kelsey Cornell (reality), Miles Crowe (post), Courtney Harrell, Jasmine C. Leyva (reality), Jon Menell (post), Liza Pablico, John Piermarini, Bryan Riches (field), Alevil Rincones (post), Cory Smith (reality) and Joe Warwick (reality)

Associate producers:
Keith Glidewell (reality), Angela Green (reality), Christa Irvin, Anjali John, Brianna Solo (reality), Zach Stern (reality), Nicolas Villamar (reality) and James Zukor (reality)

Line producer:
Chase Marbumrung

Director:
Russell Norman

Associate directors:
Carrie Havel , Debbie Palacio and Marty Pasetta Jr.

Associate director/production supervisor:
Casey B. Davis

Production designer:
Joe O’Neil, Florian Wieder

Music supervisor:
Meryl Ginsberg

Music coordinator:
Christa Irvin

Digital producers:
Nick Berry, Anthony Scott, Ausrine Plioplys and Ever Pabon Torres

Art director:
Gregg Rainwater

Lighting designer:
Noah Mitz

Lighting directors:
Michael Berger, Bryan Klunder

Origination:
Los Angeles

Series produced by:
Fremantle and Syco Entertainmen

Proofread and Edited by Brenda

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Heidi Klum, judge on "America's Got Talent" on NBC