America has talent is returning to its 19th season on Tuesday, and the roster of robust judges will have the chance to make more dreams come true than ever before!
This season, fans will see some of the country’s biggest and best artists competing for the chance to make it all the way. For the first time, judges – including Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara It is Simon Cowell – as well as host Terry Crews, will win two Golden Buzzers to help their favorite artists go even further.
ET spoke to the judges about the AG red carpet before the Season 19 audition rounds, and they explained why the Golden Buzzer’s second rule is a real game changer.
“At first I thought we didn’t really need it,” Vergara admitted. “I thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to lose some of the excitement about this.’ But, you know what, the (competitors) are getting so good that you always feel like you want another one!
Crews echoed Vergara’s sentiments, explaining, “There’s so much great talent! We often think, ‘Are we out of doorbells!?’ Do you know what I mean?”
“Talent is subjective. When you put a singer next to a dancer, next to a dangerous act, next to a magician – they each need their own bell!” Added crews. “I just think it’s perfect! And I’ve said it before, AG is evolving consistently… (and) is improving every time a new evolution emerges.”
“I love having that second Golden Buzzer!” Klum was amazed. “Because, you know, it’s hard enough to make up your mind with one act!”
“There are (so many) amazing acts, and every time I see someone I love, I’m like, ‘Oh, should I push? Should I force it?’” Klum added. “(Now) it’s so good to know I have another opportunity.”
“It’s hard to impress us (now),” Mandel interrupted. “I feel like as someone who’s been on the show for 15 seasons, I’m probably the most jaded…(But) every year I’m pleasantly surprised by someone just blowing the roof off the place and dropping my jaw on the table.”
That’s why Mandel is eager to have two Golden Buzzers this time.
“Years ago, we didn’t have a Golden Buzzer. And then when we had the opportunity to give Golden Buzzers, it was like that raised the stakes that much more,” Mandel shared, referring to the show’s 10th season when the new rule was introduced for the first time.
“That (change) was a highlight for me,” Mandel said. “So doubling down on that highlight just takes this season to a whole new level!”
Cowell – who created AG and also serves as the series’ executive producer – came up with the idea for the second Golden Buzzer and explained to ET that the idea came about when he considered “the amount of time and effort these people put into this act and where it could go.”
“People come from all over the world, just like American artists, and you’re seeing (amazing) things,” Cowell said of the show’s magic. “The 70 times I just asked, ‘How did you come up with that idea?!’ That’s what I love about the series, you know?
America has talent season 19 premieres Tuesday, May 28 at 8pm ET/PT on NBC.
Fans can also follow ET’s live blog as we break down all the biggest and best moments from the premiere!
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