Kenan Thompson took Simon Cowell’s seat on America’s Got Talent Tuesday night and ended up making one decision that strongly echoed the absent judge’s.
Thompson filled in during the Sept. 1 live quarterfinal while Cowell recovers from back surgery. “Sending so much love to Simon. Get well soon. Get back soon,” Thompson said after joining Mel B, Sofía Vergara and Howie Mandel at the judges’ table.
He was also handed the night’s Live Golden Buzzer, allowing him to send one of 11 quarterfinalists directly into the Season 21 finals. Thompson ultimately chose 14-year-old singer Lai Noelle after her performance of Elton John’s “Your Song.”
There was already a Cowell connection waiting for him. Noelle entered the live round as one of Cowell’s own Golden Buzzer picks, having earned his support during the auditions with Sienna Spiro’s “Die on This Hill.”
Kenan Sends Simon’s Golden Buzzer Singer Straight to the Finals
Noelle’s take on “Your Song” brought Mel B to her feet. “Where you’re starting from is pure perfection,” she told the teenager, while Vergara said Noelle already sounded like a “huge artist.”
Mandel reminded the panel that Cowell had recognized her potential early, telling Noelle she was “so beyond” her years before adding, “Simon knows what he’s talking about.”
Thompson waited until the other judges had finished before revealing his decision. “I mean, I hope y’all ready for some more confetti,” he said.
There was one extra wrinkle. Vergara had just reminded Noelle that she was still a little upset Cowell had pressed his Golden Buzzer during the audition before she could do it herself. Thompson handed her the moment back, telling Vergara to press his buzzer for him.
When host Terry Crews asked why Noelle was his choice, Thompson called her “dynamically gifted” and said he had spent the night waiting for somebody to deliver a genuine “wow factor.” The Live Golden Buzzer moved her directly into the finals without requiring her to compete in the semifinals.
Cowell Had Already Used His Golden Buzzer on Noelle
Noelle’s first Golden Buzzer came during the Season 21 premiere. The Dallas teenager walked onto the stage visibly nervous before performing Sienna Spiro’s “Die on This Hill.”
The show’s official audition video shows Vergara considering using her Golden Buzzer before Cowell moved first. “Words aren’t necessary,” he said before pressing the button.
Cowell later told Noelle that he had briefly closed his eyes during the performance and could hardly reconcile the voice he was hearing with the nervous 14-year-old standing in front of him. Her Golden Buzzer sent her through to the live rounds.
The audition also opened an unusual night for the series. Noelle became the first of three contestants to receive Golden Buzzers during the Season 21 premiere, which AGT described as the first three-Golden-Buzzer episode in the show’s history.
Three of the Other 10 Acts Will Advance Through America’s Vote
Noelle’s second Golden Buzzer removed her from the public-vote uncertainty surrounding the rest of Quarterfinals 3. Ten acts remained eligible for three spots in the semifinals.
Those contestants are Holland & Sienna, Isaac Atkins, Maria, Elsie, Acro Canine Crew, Herwan Legaillard, Guy Kelton Jones, Kameron Marshall, Daniel Alvarez and Pynk Beard.
Viewer voting was scheduled to close Wednesday at 7 a.m. ET, with the three advancing acts to be revealed during the Sept. 2 results episode at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
Thompson Has Filled Cowell’s Chair Before
This was not Thompson’s first stint behind the AGT judges’ desk. He also substituted for Cowell during the 2020 live shows after Cowell broke his back in an electric-bike accident and underwent extensive surgery.
Cowell’s current absence is once again connected to his back. His representative has described the latest procedure as routine and said the 66-year-old judge is expected to return within a few weeks, although no exact episode has been announced.