Season thirteen of the reality competition series America’s Got Talent has been exceptionally surprising. Out of ten finalists, Shin Lim won the golden prize. He became the second magician to win AGT, with an Aerial dance group of 48 performers coming in second. A dance group this large has never made it this far on the show before. This season, America got to see a violinist with severe nerve disease, a hilarious comedian with a Tourette syndrome, and a singer that had Garth Brooks write a song for him. his performance brought Simon Cowell to tears – something that is rare to see. However, while some of these contestants are signing records and taking the next big step in their career, the singer has been arrested and lost his chance of performing at a concert with Garth Brooks.
#1: Shin Lim: World Champion of Close-Up Magic and Winner of Season 13
Shin Lim’s magic career stemmed from carpal tunnel syndrome after which he gave up his piano talent for cards. He appeared on Penn and Teller Fool Us up until an injury occurred during his rehearsal. All that led him to America’s Got Talent – where he became the winner of season 13. He is the second magician to ever win America’s Got Talent.
Despite not earning a golden buzzer, Shin was constantly showered with praise from all judges. He wowed the nation with his jaw dropping magical tricks.
Heidi: “I really feel you will be a household game like David Blaine or David Copperfield or Houdini. Shin Lim, I can see it in Las Vegas.”
Howie: “Well, first of all, you need to be in the Finals. America’s gotta vote. The whole time he’s up there it’s like, how does he do that with the card? How does he do it with the marker? How does he do that with his hair? We don’t know! You are truly amazing. You are top of your game. YouTube can’t be wrong. I’ve been watching you on YouTube. You’re just the most amazing close-up magician I’ve ever seen.”
It all started with his charming gaze, anime hair, and cards and smoke disappearing and appearing, even from his mouth! He included Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum and hosts of American Ninja Warrior in his magical performances. For the grand finale, Lim listened to Simon’s advice on ditching the card table. He finished strong with a short piano performance, fire, and outstanding forest design that had cards shuffling up in the air from…well, only Shin Lim would know.
#2: Zurcaroh – Aerial Dance Group
Zurcaroh is a circus style trapeze group of 48 performers that perform multiple flips, acrobatics, and gymnastics at the same time. These flips are incredibly hard and require great strength to pull it together. The group created unique costumes and themes each time, to match their performances. A Brazilian choreographer Peterson da Cruz leads Zurcaroh. They competed on the French version of America’s Got Talent prior to this show and earned a Golden buzzer both times. On season 13 of AGT, they were saved by Tyra Bank’s Golden buzzer. Later, they had the nation and the judges admire all their wild performances, which won second place of this season.
Simon: “This is, honestly, one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen on any of these shows.”
Heidi: “If there was ever an act ready for Las Vegas, it’s you guys. I mean, you were perfect! From the costumes to the makeup, the masks, the dancing, the whole thing. And the little girls, I mean all the kids — amazing. My goosebumps just won’t go down. They’re still up.”
#3: Brian King Joseph – “The King of Electric Violinist”
Brian is a self taught violinist that produces his own material. The interesting part about Brian is that he composes phenomenal electric music while fighting with a severe nerve disease that causes him to lose feeling in his hands and feet. Brian doesn’t let his disease get in the way of his passion. He keeps the muscle memory by practicing a lot; however that is not always easy to do.
Brian states, “The thing is, doing that causes me a lot of pain because I’m literally holding my nerves back from going completely numb, and I’m trying to deal with them, but they’re fighting against me every step of the way, and it’s excruciating pain, but the adrenaline that I can get while I’m playing helps you push through that you know, when people are out there.”
Brian was a very respected and admired competitor on AGT. The judges loved him, the audience stood tall for him after each performance, and big celebrities such as Chris Brown, Snoop Dogg, and Mike Posner, as well as few others, praised him.
Mendel: “I know that you’re in so much pain, yet you’re so happy and you’re fighting through. I love a fighter and I love you and you’re a great performer. You’re a big inspiration.”
Howie: “You know, you can see the passion and the ecstasy of just being able to do what you do in your face.
Chris: “I have to say, you are in true defiance of your condition and you do not let it define you. The pain that you must have been in, and you did it with a smile. I’m so happy to have been able to experience this moment with you. Thank you so much.”
Besides coming in third on America’s Got Talent, Brian King Joseph has earned his title of “The King of Electric Violinist” and performs on covers of hit songs by Dua Lipa, French Montana, Drake, and XXXTentacion.
#4: Samuel J. Comroe – Comedian with Tourette Syndrome, “I got 99 problems, but a twitch ain’t one!”
Samuel j. Comroe is America’s new favorite comedian powered by his Tourette Syndrome, which he lived with since the age of six. Comroe performs at clubs and colleges. He also appeared on BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood with Kevin Hart, as well as, All Def Digital’s Comedy Originals. If that wasn’t enough, he is also a winner of Ricky Gervais’ Comedy Competition and The San Francisco Comedy Competition. Placing fourth on America’s Got Talent, there is no doubt that this stand-up comedian will continue to get far. Former Spice Girl star, Mel B, and Howie Mandel adored Samuel on the show:
Mandel: “You’re amazing. I think you’re brilliant. I love your swagger. I love everything about you.”
Howie Mandel: “Well, I think it’s all subjective, but I gotta tell you personally, I love you. I thought you brought your A game. I thought America loves you, this audience loves you. That was your best act yet. I think your mother is looking down on you. You’re a great man, a great comedian and deserving to be here. I wish you the best of luck. I love you and your career just took off tonight.”
#5: Michael Ketterer – From singing his heart out to a written song by Garth Brooks to domestic violence arrest.
Michael Ketterer, father of six scored a golden buzzer from Simon Cowell during the audition rounds. He was one of AGT’s well-respected finalists and won the nations hearts with his genuine love and appreciation for his six children and wife. After their biological daughter was born, the two adopted five sons from foster care to give them the stable family life they wouldn’t have had until living with the Ketterers.
Ketterer wanted to prove to his children that dreams do come true. He achieved this goal during one of his performances when judge Simon Cowell requested Garth Brooks to write Ketterer a song for his final performance. After thousands of retweets and reposts on social media, Brooks received the request and wrote “The Courage to Love” for Ketterer. Prior to his final performance, Ketterer left all four judges emotional and even brought Simon Cowell to tears during his quarterfinals performance, for which he sang “Us” by James Bay.
As Cowell’s voice cracked and his eyes welled up with tears, he stated, “As a dad, I can’t imagine [doing] what you’ve done, and the fact that you’re on this show and you really need this. You’re a really, really special guy. There’s just something about you.”
As Tyra Banks put more pressure on Simon and called him a “soft papa” he added, “That normally doesn’t happen to me, but there’s something about Michael. Especially] now that I’ve gotten to know him and what it means to him. It’s his sincerity, his kindness and what he’s done to change those kids’ lives, and then he puts it all out on the line tonight and I really felt for him, he’s a really special person.”
The other judged had similar reactions to Ketter’s performance. Former Spice Girls star, Mandel, tried to hold her tears back as she stated, “You’re just an incredible person and an incredible human being. To do what you’ve done, adopting all these kids and giving them a life, and then your voice sings such truth and honesty.”
Heidi Klum: “When you sing, you sing with so much heart. And on a side note, we just need more men like you.”
Mandel added: “People should be led and inspired by who you are and how you are.”
Michael Ketterer did not win the show and came in 5th place; however, Garth Brooks invited Ketterer to perform at a concert with him in Northern Dane, Indiana.
Garth Brooks: “We’re going to suit you up with a band. We’re going to put you out in front of 85,000 of the sweetest people you’ve ever played for before, and they’re going to be pulling for you like no other,” Brooks told Ketterer at the time.
Unfortunately, just one day after the show has ended, Michael Ketterer was arrested for domestic violence and Brooks no longer wants him on his show.
America’s perfect father figure turned out to be different from what the nation believed. Whether it was a misunderstanding, as Ketterer claims, or not, his singing career might have come to an end before it even started. Perhaps, the media did not present the full story and our nation, including Simon Cowell, trusted this finalist too soon. Nonetheless, Michael Ketterer was not charged following the arrest. He posted a happy family photo, including his wife, on Instagram, which had been taken recently. Perhaps the arrest has made the Ketterer family stronger, but the question still stands, will it stand in the way of Michael’s career?
Angelika Rol
Features Reporter
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