Singing competitions have held a popular space within the reality market ever since American Idol blew up in 2002. Since then, shows like The X-Factor and The Voice have come along and offered talented singers the chance to make their dreams come true.
From Kelly Clarkson to Jennifer Hudson, many singing careers have taken off thanks to their participation in these shows.
However, when it comes to America’s Got Talent, viewers seem to have a different opinion on the singing acts. Since the show features various types of talent, some feel it’s redundant for AGT to spotlight singers. They also feel that with shows like The Voice and American Idol, a show like AGT isn’t a good place for a singer to try and kick off their career.
Fans Of ‘America’s Got Talent’ Believe The Show Should Ban Singing Acts From The Show
While singing acts have been a staple on America’s Got Talent, it seems like viewers would rather see something else.
A fan of the show began a thread on Reddit explaining why singing acts should be banned from the show. They began by saying that since there are other competition shows devoted to singing, AGT should focus on other things.
“We already have The Voice,” the user began. “Any time I hear a singer on America’s Got Talent, I ask myself- would they have any shot at winning The Voice? If so, they should go on The Voice and stop wasting everyone’s time on a Talent show where there’s 50 million other people trying to use singing as their talent. I’ve never listened to a singer on America’s Got Talent and thought to myself ‘Wow, they deserve the win’ because singing is such a generic talent to compete with on that show.”
The user also criticized the way the show uses the singer’s difficult past as a way to manipulate people’s opinion.
“Most of those singers just use their tragic backstory as a means of trying to sway the judges and the audience regardless of whether or not their voice is any good,” they wrote.
Another user responded, claiming this ban wouldn’t happen if singing acts prove to drive viewership to the show.
“You know that talent shows are not about talent but just entertainment?” the user wrote. “The production doesn’t care who is good and who isn’t, just what’s keep the audience watching.”
“So everything goes, singers included,” they concluded.
Another user didn’t think singing competitions were a good way to discover singing talent at all.
“But seriously though I agree with your post 100% but I’ll even go as far as saying that any talent finding show based on singing is garbage, The Voice including,” the user wrote. “I don’t care how good you can sing, but can you make good music?”
One user admitted they rarely finish watching the entire season, because the singing acts usually make it to the finale.
“I watch on Hulu and literally fast forward thru the singers,” the user began. “The worst part is the singers always end up going to finales, so I usually stop watching each season shortly after auditions. I really don’t think it helps their views, I think there’s just a lack of diverse performance so they don’t have a choice but to use it as filler.”
Despite the reactions of these viewers, it doesn’t seem like Simon Cowell will take their advice any time soon.
One Musical Act On ‘AGT’ Made Howard Stern Question Why The Audition Was Allowed To Take Place
Sometimes a music act on AGT can have even the judges questioning whether they should be allowed to audition for the show. This was the case for former judge Howard Stern, when he made a 7-year-old rapper cry.
- When 7-year-old rapper Mir Money hit the stage on America’s Got Talent, he made quite an impression.
- He began his audition by telling judge Howie Mandel that if he won, he would use the money to “take care of” his family.
- However, when the 7-year-old began rapping, fellow judge Howard Stern got only a few seconds into the performance before hitting the “X.” Mir Money began tearing up on stage.
- Then, it became clear that Stern felt bad, so he got on stage and spoke to the child.
“No one likes hitting the ‘X’ on a 7-year-old. You’re very brave to get up there at 7 years old,” Stern told him . “I’ve met many great rappers. I’m on the radio. I interview them. None of them are quite as good as you.”
After the audition was over, Stern was emotionally distraught. He even began to rethink his decision to join the judge’s table in the first place.
“I’m not cut out for this… I’m shaking… I can’t do it,” he said. “Radio is for me. I made a mistake — this isn’t for me.”
Stern seemed more comfortable with his honesty, however, when discussing the moment with Jimmy Fallon. During the interview, Stern appeared to suggest the child’s parents shouldn’t have let him audition for the show.
“This little 7-year-old cute kid gets up — his parents put him out there, you know that was a good decision — and he’s singing something or rapping, I don’t know what he was doing, so I said, ‘This kid is horrible,’” Stern said. “But what am I gonna do? Am I going to be dishonest? Am I going to be like J-Lo and sit there and tell everyone they’re wonderful? No. I’m going to hit my buzzer.”
Stern said the experience made him feel “so evil.” Stern ultimately voted “yes” to send Mir Money to the next round, but was outnumbered by his fellow judges.
“I totally caved,” Stern told Fallon.
Fans Of ‘America’s Got Talent’ Love Animal Acts And The Judges Seem To Agree
Despite what some AGT fans might think of the singing acts, there are plenty of other acts to enjoy. Animal acts are another common act on the show. This has proven to be a hit with viewers and the judges as well.
In 2023, the Border Collie Hurricane and her coach, Adrian Stoica, won season 18 of AGT. Following their win, Cowell revealed they were the favorite of his son Eric for the entire season.
“Eric, my son, was at the show last night. And I said to him this morning, ‘Who do you think is going to win?’ and he said ‘Hurricane.’ He really, really called it,” Cowell said.
“He’s just obsessed with this dog. And even during the auditions, he met her and Adrian, and he’s a great guy, and she is just adorable. And I was watching [Eric] as the results came in, and he was just like, jumping in the air. He was so excited,” he added.
Stoica, Hurricane, and Eric even got pictures taken together on the red carpet that October.
“I’m so grateful for all the love you’ve given to Hurricane these days, starting from the Judges, Terry, Manolo, all the AGT staff and a special new friend of her, Eric! And thanks to you all here for your words and your support: precious!” Stoica wrote on Instagram.
During the season 19 premiere of AGT, Vergara appeared to be watching a pet cam on her phone during a break between acts.
“Are we looking in on puppies?” judge Heidi Klum asked.
It was then clear Vergara was watching footage of her dog, a girl chihuahua named Amore.
Cowell then spoke up, asking, “Oh, is that your little dog? That is the cutest dog.”
Vergara agreed and told Cowell that she initially believed the puppy was a stuffed animal.
Shortly after meeting Amore in person, Cowell shared pictures of him with the puppy on social media.
“I’ve just fallen in love,” Cowell captioned the post.
After this moment, a basset hound named Daisy May impressed the judges when it was led through an obstacle course by owner Amy. Cowell still couldn’t resist the dog’s cuteness and made kissing noises into the microphone.
When Cowell was asked what he was doing, he said, “I’m talking to the dog.” Cowell even told Daisy May what a pretty girl she was backstage.
This isn’t a new love of Cowell’s. He adopted a German Shepherd named Pebbles at the beginning of 2024. Cowell posted a photo of his son Eric with the new addition to the family.
“LOVE,” Cowell captioned the photo. Klum commented, “Absolutely beautiful.”
Cowell first introduced Pebbles to the world on January 11 in an Instagram post.
“Our family has had a new arrival …her name is Pebbles,” he wrote.
Cowell previously shared his love for dogs when speaking to Glamour in 2015.
“I have always loved dogs but had no idea how much happiness they would bring to my life. Squiddly, Diddly, and, now, Freddie, are hugely important members of my family — and even the thought of any dog being mistreated sickens me,” he told the outlet.