Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Howie Mandel protest Cowell’s second Golden Buzzer — until they’re given their own.
On Tuesday’s episode of America’s Got Talent, judge Simon Cowell made a bold move by using his second Golden Buzzer of the season. This button allows judges to send an act straight to the live shows, skipping the panel’s vote. The other judges, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara, were taken by surprise.
The show had announced a change back in March, but viewers only saw it come into effect now. Cowell used his first Golden Buzzer for singer Liv Warfield earlier in the episode. Later, he decided to break the rules for the group Sky Elements, six men from Dallas. Their performance, a light show with choreographed drones forming a rocket launch with Cowell as the astronaut, required the panel to go outside.
As Cowell went to press the button, the judges protested.
“You already did it!” Mandel reminded him.
Klum pointed out to the crew, “That’s his second one!”
A production member approached Cowell, questioning his action. Cowell defended himself, saying, “I just thought, why not? I mean, there’s nothing in the rules that says we couldn’t.”
He was informed that there actually was a rule. To resolve the situation, it was quickly decided that the other judges would also get two Golden Buzzers, which appeased everyone.
“We are using more Golden Buzzers this year because there were so many brilliant, mind-blowing auditions,” Simon told PEOPLE. “I know right away when I see an act that is Golden Buzzer-worthy. You feel it.”
Despite the Golden Buzzer controversy, Sky Elements impressed everyone.
Vergara remarked, “I’ve never seen anything like that.”
“I don’t know where I’ve been,” added the Modern Family alum, “but I didn’t know you could do those things with drones. It was spectacular.”
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