America's Got Talent judge Sofia Vergara hit her first Golden Buzzer for Legion, an Argentinian Malambo dance crew, during the Season 19 episode that aired Tuesday night on NBC.
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On America's Got Talent's nineteenth season, there will be more Golden Buzzer recipients than ever before. In addition to Sofia, her fellow America's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel will each be able to hit the Golden Buzzer twice, while host Terry Crews only had one Golden Buzzer to give out.
Legion, a dance crew of about a dozen male members, earned itself one of the nine Golden Buzzers that will be awarded this season, and so the group will automatically advance to Live Shows beginning Tuesday, August 13 at 8PM ET/PT on NBC.
Prior to showing off their moves, the group explained to the America's Got Talent judges how they all work normal jobs during the day, including teaching and construction.
"But this is what we want to do for a living," one of the members told Simon. "We think we are going to win this! With [the prize money], we'd love to have our own studio."
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Up until that point, Legion had been rehearsing at one of their parents' homes, in the backyard.
The jaw-dropping performance featured the men, who were wearing matching black leather outfits, having their boots set on fire. As they danced and flames raged, the group incorporated drums, fiery whips, and intensely energetic steps.
When the audience cheered and clapped for the crew upon the routine's completion, many of the dancers started crying tears of joy.
"We needed that. That was epic!" Simon noted.
"Wow, that was very exciting, very unexpected, and very surprising," Howie shared.
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One of the dancers then voiced how this was "a big dream" for all of them, as well as an "incredible opportunity."
Heidi went on to say, "I don't know anything about the Malambo and this type of dance, but I was feeling everything and I loved it. It was incredible. Many dancers have danced on this stage, but their feet have never been on fire! It really was a treat. Thank you."
Simon said he could "genuinely see" this act putting on a show in Las Vegas.
"I see this being all over the world. The amount of preparation -- and I can see how much this means to you," Simon added.
"What I've loved about the show this year is that we're seeing acts all over the world and across America that we've never seen before, and it's just the best feeling in the world when something works like that and it's exciting and new and real."
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Simon gushed about how the crew was "brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!"
And then Sofia announced, "I guess all the judges are so, like, fascinated with you guys because, for them, this is something so different and exciting for them. You know, I am now South American and so I've seen this dance many times."
The crowd loudly booed Sofia, but she continued, "For me, you guys have to do something spectacular -- and that was spectacular! I thought it was amazing."
Sofia praised the unique act, noting, "I have never seen anything like that! And that's exactly why I am going to do this."
Sofia proceeded to hit her Golden Buzzer for the dance act, and the crew jumped up and down in celebration.
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Sofia then walked onto the stage and hugged the group. She joked with the guys about how she had "scared" them with her initial feedback.
"This is exactly what we're here for! This is exactly AGT!" Sofia declared. "This might change these guys' lives, and I'd love to be a part of it!"
The following acts have also received Golden Buzzer's on America's Got Talent this season: comedian Learnmore Jonasi, janitor and aspiring singer Richard Goodall, rock and soul singer Liv Warfield, and drone act Sky Elements.
Howie has yet to press his Golden Buzzer for anyone, but the other three judges -- and Terry -- has already selected one or more Golden Buzzer winners.