Several things portend well for Victory Brinker’s chances to win Season 16 of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”
The 9-year-old opera singer from Unity was the final competitor in Tuesday’s live quarterfinal round, perhaps illustrating the “save the best for last” principle.
There was plenty of build-up to her appearance, too.
Unlike many of the other 11 contestants, she didn’t need pyrotechnics and flashing lights to add an extra wow factor to her performance. She sang her aria against a relatively simple garden-like backdrop.
And, perhaps most importantly, she was the only performer to receive a standing ovation from both judges and audience members.
Other acts included dance crews, vocal groups and soloists, an acrobatic/gymnastics troupe, an aerialist, a psychic and a comedian.
Some, like would-be Broadway performer Tory Vagasy, received solid praise from the judges. Others, like psychedelic/funk singer Johnny Showcase, were not so lucky.
Following a horn-infused, psychedelic/funk song backed with an animatronic octopus, judge Simon Cowell declared, “It was horrific, absolutely horrific.”
But he was effusive in his comments to Victory.
“I’m gonna make a prediction: You’re gonna be one of the biggest stars to emerge from one of these shows,” he said.
“You do have the most amazing gift. It almost sounds like it’s not coming from you,” added judge Heidi Klum. “You’re the cherry on top of an amazing night.”
The little girl with the big voice isn’t lacking for confidence, either.
“There’s a lot of competition, but I eat competition for breakfast,” she declared in her introductory clip.
Results of the quarterfinal rounds will be revealed on tonight’s episode, airing at 8 p.m.
The season will wrap up in September, with the eventual winner receiving a contract to headline a Las Vegas casino show and a $1 million prize, payable in a financial annuity over 40 years. The winner also may choose to receive the present cash value of such annuity.
