‘America’s Got Talent’ results: Raleigh singer vies for spot in ‘Champion’ semifinals
Raleigh native Sgt. Major Christal Sanders Rheams returned to NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” Monday night for the series’ “Champions” show, performing with the military quartet Voices of Service.
The group, which travels to hospitals to sing and bring comfort to veterans with PTSD, was one of 10 acts to make it to the finale in last season’s “America’s Got Talent,” making it to the Top 5 before being eliminated.
They were the second act to perform on Monday’s show, and sang a moving cover of “Brother” by Kodaline.
Before the performance, members of the group talked about their experiences after last season’s run, and their reasons for returning to the show, which brings together 40 contestants pulled from “America’s Got Talent” series from across the world.
“As Voices of Service, we decided to come to ‘America’s Got Talent’ because we wanted to spread this message to as many people as possible,” said Rheams, an active duty member of the U.S. Army who graduated from Enloe High School in Raleigh and attended UNC-Chapel Hill.
Each member of the group — made up of Rheams, Master Sergeant Caleb Green, retired Staff Sergeant Ron Henry and Sergeant First Class Jason L. Hannah — read from letters they received from people who watched them last season and drew strength from their music.
“We were proud of our accomplishment, but we have more to do,” Rheams said.
Voices of Service sings ‘Brother’ on ‘AGT’
The performance of “Brother” was incredible, and it really provided a showcase for Rheams’ vocal talents.
The judges seemed blown away, and Rheams was emotional listening to them gush.
“The vocals are amazing and the power you feel when you guys harmonize is like no other,” said judge Howie Mandel.
Judge Alesha Dixon said: “It’s a beautiful, very poignant song. The soul is pouring out of all of you.”
Judge Heidi Klum added: “Your voices are weapons — weapons of inspiration, weapons of hope. Thank you very much for your service and for being here one more time.”
Perhaps most enthusiastic was judge Simon Cowell.
“I think the message you deliver was absolutely beautiful,” Cowell said. “It made me very emotional. This was a massive step up.”
Cowell then added that he is sure they will win the competition.
Backstage with host Terry Crews, Rheams said, “To be able to spread that morale and continue that message, I can’t begin to tell you how important that is.”
Did Voices of Service make it to the AGT semifinals?
As we noted last week when Raleigh violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa performed (and advanced to the semifinals), the voting for “The Champions” is very different than last season’s regular “AGT” show.
Viewers will not get to vote this season.
Instead, a group of SuperFans have been put in control. Each of the judges (plus host Terry Crews) get one Golden Buzzer pick each, to be used across the audition shows, and they’ll get some wildcard votes later — but the Super Fans select everyone else.
Of the 10 acts that performed Monday, four advanced: two were chosen by a panel of SuperFans, one advanced via Golden Buzzer (this week, that went to children’s dance company The Silhouettes) and one was voted on by the judges.
Unfortunately, Voices of Service was not picked by the Superfans to move to the semifinals (Simon Cowell mouthed “wow” when Strauss Serpent was announced instead). The other act advanced by Superfans was Cassie Sandou’s acrobatic act Sandou Trio.
The judges advanced tiny kid comic JJ Pantano.
What happens next on ‘America’s Got Talent: Champions’?
The semifinalists (including Tyler Butler-Figueroa) perform next Monday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. on NBC. Six of those acts will move on to the finals (five voted through by Superfans and one by judges).
The finalists perform on the February 11 show and the winner will be named on the finale, which airs February 18.
This story was originally published January 27, 2020 at 10:06 PM.
