Aidan Bryant slips, grips, recovers, advances to AGT: All-Stars finale
PRINCE GEORGE — During NBC's America's Got Talent: All-Stars episode last night, 18-year-old Aidan Bryant, a Prince George native, earned enough votes from Superfans to advance to the finale which is scheduled for Monday, February 20.
Bryant's audition, an aerial acrobatics routine without a net, was riveting and looked mighty dangerous. The self-taught aerialist was not wearing any type of harness while soaring 25-30 feet in the air using what he refers to as his new toy, an aerial triangle.
"I’m so excited he gets another chance at winning. He has grown so much as a performer. I can definitely say he is a professional aerialist now," Bryant's mother Pam Bennett said. "His performance tonight was absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to see him in the Finals."
Aidan Bryant's Facebook fans react
"I watched! You did an amazing job. I gasped when you slipped, but you made it through," Roseline Jeter Lambert commented on Bryant's Facebook post. "I'm your biggest fan!"
"Winner, winner, chicken dinner," Sabrina Wells of Richmond said.
Jennifer Carper who works in the office at Bryant's former high school commented, "You did amazing, Aidan! PG is proud of you as well as your PGHS faculty and staff!"
Fan Terry Conrad stated, "You don't need gimmicks or an emotional backstory… YOU GOT REAL TALENT!"
Colonial Heights resident Angela Sandford O'Keefe posted on Bennett's Facebook, "Omg… he about gave me a heart attack! Absolutely amazing!"
"Just watched a few minutes ago," Amanda Schock commented. "You make us proud in PG!"
"Your hard work and dedication show in your performance! You truly deserve all the positive attention and blessings for your hard work," Mary Helen commented. "God bless you and keep you safe!"
An excited Jeremy Griffitt said, "Holy cow! You took the roof off that place!"
Claudia Coghill Hearns Jones, a retired North Elementary School teacher, stated, "What an awesome act! It was amazing! You made North Elementary and Prince George so proud!"
"Win or lose, you are still the best and have a fantastic career ahead of you," Trey Normann commented.
Diane McMurray of Hopewell congratulated Bryant and pointed out how he represents Virginia with dignity and as a very professional artist."
AGT: All-Stars: Aerialist almost fallsWow... just wow! Aerialist Aidan Bryant's audition on AGT: All-Stars is a must-see!
"Amazing! You should've felt gutted being runner-up two years ago because you were robbed," Tim Oliver stated. "But now you're proving why you're number one."
Angie Farley Tweed commented to Bennett, "I don't know how your nerves take it watching him! That was an amazing performance."
Hopewell native Jennifer Edwards Tuggle declared Bryant's incredible act as the best ever on AGT.
"Awesome is a word that is often overused, but you truly exemplify what Awesome means," Joanne Perkinson, a Dinwiddie native, commented. "You deserve this! Your true talent, athleticism, artistry and kind spirit all show through!"
How does AGT: All-Stars work?
Sixty contestants from around the world, previous winners, runners-up, finalists and fan favorites from the AGT series and its international spin-offs compete in Los Angeles, Calif. for the ultimate title.
According to an NBC press release, each week 10 new acts perform hoping to make it to the Final. Only one act will advance each week thanks to the AGT Superfan vote, a group of loyal AGT viewers selected by NBC from all 50 states. Results will be revealed during the episode.
Five Golden Buzzers are up for grabs which automatically advance the selected act to the Final. Returning Judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum each have one Golden Buzzer to give away and Host Terry Crews also awards one. The fifth one is known as the coveted Group Golden Buzzer.
After the final performances, Superfans will vote again on the 11 finalists to choose the winner which will be revealed in the two-hour finale.
Your support helps keep the lights on at The Progress-Index! We are passionate about telling Petersburg's stories. Stay connected with our articles, enterprise reporting and more by clicking "Subscribe" at the top of the page.
Drive a 27-foot-long hot dog on wheelsWienermobile drivers needed: Become a mini-celebrity 'Hotdogger'
AGT: All-Stars Episode 2
Who received the Golden Buzzer?
For the second time, Host Terry Crews awarded a Golden Buzzer to the Detroit Youth Choir, AGT Season 14 runner-up. The large choir, designed for youth between the ages of 8-18, teaches and develops students through music education, dance and theatrical arts.
Bryant, AGT Season 16 runner-up, headed into the All-Stars audition determined not to lose again to Magician Dustin Tavella who won the ultimate title and a million dollars. "I've been working so hard to come back strong and better than ever," Bryant stated before his performance.
Besides Tavella, the following acts were also eliminated during Episode 2:
Divyansh & Manuraj, beatboxer and flautist [India's Got Talent winner 2022]
Sara James, singer [AGT Season 17 finalist]
Malevo, Malambo dance group [AGT Season 11 finalist]
Tone the Chief, rapper [AGT Season 8 semi-finalist]
Jamie Leahey, ventriloquist [Britain's Got Talent Season 15 runner-up]
Jackie Fabulous, stand-up comedian [AGT Season 14 semi-finalist]
Vitoria Bueno, ballerina [Das Supertalent Season 15 runner-up]
In the AGT: All-Stars premiere on January 2, two acts advanced to the finale: AGT Season 15 finalists Bello Sisters, Acrobatic Trio Loren, Celine and Joline Bello originally from Italy [Superfan votes] and AGT Season 14 finalists Light Balance Kids, Ukrainian dance troupe [Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer].
NBC's AGT: All-Stars airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. If you miss it, you can stream it the following day on Peacock. Visit nbc.com for more information. Watch Bryant perform in the Finals on February 20 and see if he wins the following week.
Petersburg Library hosts movie marathonSpider-Man fan alert: 'Munch and a Movie' family event
New eatery in Old TowneOld Towne Petersburg: New burger joint serves wagyu beef, nine ways
— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram.
Your support is vital to local journalism. Please subscribe.
This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Aidan Bryant advances to AGT: All-Stars finale, beats Dustin Tavella
