America's Got Talent featured the Hakuna Matata Acrobatic receiving the first Golden Buzzer in the Live Shows during the Season 19 quarterfinals episode that aired Tuesday night on NBC.
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The quarterfinals round will consist of four episodes, with 11 acts taking the stage each night for America's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara.
Each AGT judge can hit the Golden Buzzer once during this stage of the competition, but most of the power is in America's hands considering they get to vote for their favorite acts.
Only four of the 11 acts in each episode will advance to the semifinals -- the Golden Buzzer and three of America's picks.
Hakuna Matata Acrobatic from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, wowed the judges and had the live audience on their feet, and so the group received Sofia's Golden Buzzer on Tuesday night's broadcast.
Prior to taking the stage, the members of Hakuna Matata Acrobatic -- Aidani Juma, 24; Mohamedi Tadei, 35; Yusuphu Fuko, 37; and Saidi Kapaya, 38 -- shared how they are appearing on America's Got Talent in the hope of changing their families' lives.
When Hakuna Matata Acrobatic had initially taken the America's Got Talent stage for their first audition, the group experienced problems due to the use of thin and unstable boards. The men therefore corrected the mistake for the live shows.
The men's jaw-dropping performance for the quarterfinals included balancing on oddly shaped and stacked objects. At one point, all four men climbed one on top of the other and balanced like a tower on top of a structure designed to look like a skateboard.
America's Got Talent judges gave the balancing act a standing ovation, and Simon enthusiastically gave the men a thumbs up.
"This was one of the most difficult and dangerous acts we've seen on a live show, and I genuinely mean this: it felt to me like you've arrived," Simon told the guys.
"I have so much respect for all of you for what you've done. This means a lot to you, and I have a feeling this is going to be a great, great night for you."
Howie agreed and joked, "They have arrived and three of them are carry-ons."
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Howie continued to gush, "I don't think people realize how amazing that is... To be able to combine [two major balancing tasks] and have the strength to hold everybody, it was above and beyond what you did last time. America, you've got to vote!"
Heidi shared how the guys held her "attention from the very beginning to the very end."
"It's death-defying what you do," Heidi added, "and on top of that, you're doing it on a roller ball! You guys are incredible."
And finally, Sofia called the group "one of the most ambitious acts" she's ever seen on America's Got Talent.
"I can see the difference from your [first] audition. You guys deserve to be here! I don't think you guys need any help from anyone. But regardless, I'm doing this," Sofia announced.
Sofia then hit the Golden Buzzer and confetti fell from above as the acrobats jumped, cheered and celebrated on the AGT stage.
When asked why she had pressed the Golden Buzzer for the four acrobats, Sofia explained how the routine was "perfection" and she could see the guys' personalities this time around.
Sofia thought the performance was a "beautiful" spectacle and that the guys definitely deserved to advance in the AGT competition.
The three additional acts who received the highest number of America's votes will be revealed Wednesday night at 8PM ET/PT as America's Got Talent's nineteenth season continues on NBC.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
