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America’s Got Talent 5: Second Semi Final Group

You can choose up to five acts.

August 31, 2010 I Written By

Airpocalypse Comments on Christina and Ali

It seems like my post about Christina and Ali has brought out some people who disagree (which is totally fine). Although, I was pretty excited when X from Airpocalypse stopped by Pure America’s Got Talent and left the following comment about Christina and Ali:

Jason L. Cheung a.k.a Air Guitar X:
I feel I must comment here. I had the honor of competing (with? against?) Christina and Ali in Week 1 of the Top 48. I am a proud member of Airpocalypse, and I am compelled to confirm that Christina and Ali are two of the nicest people that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I’ve heard that Courage is Grace under Pressure, and I hope that should I ever have to confront the challenges that these two young ladies face on a daily basis, I hope I can have a fraction of the Courage that they have.

Am I bummed that I am not in the competition still? Hell yes. Am I bummed that they are in what could have been my place?

Nope. Not at all.

Yes, there are acts that I think we should have gone ahead of. However, this is not one of them. Best of luck to them. If you pray, (to whoever), pray for them. And if you don’t, you must recognize the fact that you are watching one of the most inspirational things that you may ever see.

~X

First, it’s nice to hear from someone who has had first hand interaction with Christina and Ali. Second, this says a lot about Airpocalypse and the type of people they are.

UPDATE: Here are some comments submitted by Jamison (from Blue Sky Canopy)

Although our my act never made it to air-time, in Vegas I was in the ‘duos’ category with Christina and Ali, so after spending all that time with both sisters and their parents, I also feel the need to comment here.

For Christina and Ali, this isn’t about winning. They carry a message with them greater than anyone else on the show – and instead of telling it, they’re SHOWING it. Follow your dreams, no matter what.

Not to say they’re the only courageous people on America’s Got Talent – many others have come from hard backgrounds/lives, but after knowing them personally, I can tell you with complete honesty: They deserve everything good in this world.

Sympathy votes? No. I believe people over-think the title of the show too much. It’s not solely about who the most talented person/act is. It’s about who people like personally. Remember, they’re looking for a Vegas “show”, not “just singing.” Professional performers need to be personable with their audiences, like-able, relate-able, and inspiring. So, whether it’s their amazing talent, courage, inspiring story, beauty, humbleness, or grace, people will continue to vote for Christina and Ali because THEY DESERVE IT.

What they portray on the show is NOT some produced persona the show made up for them – what you see/hear is who they REALLY are. They are angels. I spoke most with Ali (she was closer to my age), and every time, I would feel a warming light radiating from her smile, eyes, and sincerity.

Christina and Ali, and Michael Grimm, are the most genuine acts I met during my experience with the show. They deserve it all, and I hope they get it. God bless them.

-Jamison

UPDATE 2: Here’s the comments from Iron Horse about Ali and Christina:

I’m 100% behind Jason on this one! We spent time talking with them and their parents in Vegas and Hollywood and the whole time they were always cheerful and full of good things to say about every act.

I think it takes talent to be able to sing like they do with the breathing problems that they have. My brother and I both have had pneumonia for the past couple weeks and I know first hand how hard it is to sing with fluid in your lungs… not saying I know what it feels like to have CF, but I know what it feels like to not be able to breath properly and try to sing at the same time. Christina and Ali are not only brave enough to devote their lives to something doctors have told them they’ll never be able to do properly, but they are extremely brave to do it in front of millions of Americans on live television.

They may not be the most talented singers in the world… Many may not even feel they deserve to be this far in the competition… it’s not my place to say. But give them credit for what they are doing.

Just my two cents…

-Carl
Iron Horse

August 30, 2010 I Written By

Stacked America’s Got Talent Second Semi Final

Tyson recently commented about the second semi final show being stacked on our previous America’s Got Talent semi final rankings post:

The second semifinal is stacked. Your top five acts are all in the second semifinal. Eight of your top 12 compete in the second semifinal.

Here’s the list of acts in the second semi final:
* Alice Tan Ridley, Singer
* Debra Romer, Singer/Musician
* Fighting Gravity, Blacklight Performers
* Haspop, Popping Dancer
* Jackie Evancho, Singer
* Jeremy VanSchoonhoven, Extreme Cyclist
* Maestro Alexander Bui, Pianist
* Michael Grasso, Magician/Illusionist
* Michael Lipari & Ashleigh Dejon, Aerialists
* Murray, Magician/Illusionist
* Nathaniel Kenyon, Singer/Musician
* Studio One Young Beast Society, Dance Troupe

What do you guys think about those in the second semi final?

August 27, 2010 I Written By

Jessica Price and Her Band Trying to Open for Kiss

I’m sure many of you remember Jessica Price (one of my favorite acts ever on America’s Got Talent). Well, I guess she’s singing in a band (I think I posted some videos of her band before) and they have a chance to open for Kiss in Michigan. Here’s the email I got about the opportunity:

Hi. Remember Jessica Price? Well her band is in a competition to open for KISS in Detroit, Michigan. However, they need some more votes. The top five bands get an audition for the gig so if you could please go to eventful.com/kiss and under Detroit Metro Area vote for Jessica Price band, they would really appreciate it. Voting ends Saturday!

Thank you very much,
Patricia

Let’s support Jessica and vote for her band.

I Written By

Christina and Ali in the America’s Got Talent Finals

If you’ve been reading Pure America’s Got Talent this season, then you know I’ve already displayed my bias for Christina and Ali front and center. I don’t shy away from the fact that I have biases. I embrace them and enjoy the beauty of loving something or someone.

However, it’s not surprising that a lot of people are saying that Christina and Ali don’t deserve to be in the finals. They usually have the obvious argument that they aren’t great singers and that they shouldn’t win based on their sob story. First of all, I’m not sure why someone shouldn’t win for a sob story. However, let’s set that aside for a minute and consider their talent.

In order to illustrate how talented I think Christina and Ali are, check out this INCREDIBLE video of pianist Liu Wei on “China’s Got Talent.” I won’t ruin the video, but you REALLY MUST watch this video (and you might want some tissues close by). It’s pretty incredible (Thanks Marianya for pointing it out to me).

It’s hard to imagine anyone saying that Liu Wei is not very talented. Some could easily make the argument that if he was compared to other pianists he really isn’t very good. It was a pretty simple piece of music, he missed some notes and the rhythm was all over the place. I’m literally laughing as I type this since no one would say this (and they shouldn’t). Why? Because it’s an amazing talent that he can play piano with his feet.

How is this any different than the talent Christina and Ali display? They’re lungs are literally being destroyed. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a lung condition which makes it hard to breathe and yet they’re able to go on stage and belt out their songs. That’s overcoming a lot.

Maybe people don’t respect the talent as much in Christina and Ali’s case because it’s an internal disease which people can’t see. They can’t really know how much of the lungs have problems. They can’t see the amount of lung problems they have. However, would Liu Wei’s talent be any less amazing if he only lost half of his arms?

Plus, America can’t try and do what Christina and Ali are doing. America can’t attempt to sing with mucus built up on their lungs like Christina and Ali have to do. America could try and play the piano with their feet and so they can be more amazed by the talent of Liu Wei. Just because you can’t try it yourself, does it make it any less talented?

I don’t blame America. Most people don’t know much about CF and so how can they judge the talent of girls singing with CF? I don’t claim to be an expert in CF myself. However, I’ve sung next to someone with CF. That’s why beyond loving Christina and Ali’s goodness and kindness (which they have in abundance) I love them for their talent too.

August 25, 2010 I Written By

America’s Got Talent Semi Final Review

I was going to do a review of the acts from tonight’s semi final episode, but then I saw that Jason had already done so in the comments of another post. So, I’ll just share his comments for all to see and to comment on. Thanks Jason!

Tonight was interesting…started strong, got weak in the middle, then finished amazingly. My thoughts:

Anna & Patryk – It was a very good routine. Their movements are so precise, and it was a great song choice and theme. They should be in the finals.

Christina & Ali – It’s a great story, but I don’t think the singing is good enough. I like them when they sing alone, but not together. It’s probably over for them.

Antonio Restivo – A really nice trick, but I wasn’t really amazed during it. I still really like about him, and I think he could be in the finals.

Future Funk – The cuteness is wearing off, and they tried too much to make a story out of it. The older kid had a nice break dance, but the rest was only ok. They’re probably not going to advance.

Taylor Matthews – I don’t know what to make of him. He’s good, but not the best singer. He should lose the backup singers, his voice gets lost in them. Maybe he could make it to the finals.

Connor Doran – Another nice story, but the act didn’t take it up a notch. He definitely should have stuck to the quieter, more reflective music. I like him, but he’s probably done.

Dan Sperry – Are you serious with that trick? I had a flashback to season 2 with the magician Kevin James. I know that there’s some imagination to magic, but we generally know it’s fake and don’t need an obvious way to see that. At least throw up some fake blood or something to make it more believable. I cannot see him advancing at all.

Kristina Young – What was she thinking? If she had livened the song up and went to a pop version after stepping down from the piano, she might have had a shot. However, she didn’t, and completely blew it.

ArcAttack – I was skeptical that they could make the act better, but they did. I still see them as a long shot to win with some of the other acts still active, but they could be in the finals.

Michael Grimm – I don’t think he’s the best singer, but there’s still something I like about him. He’s probably in the finals.

AscenDance – The same as Connor, they should have stayed with the slower, peaceful music. It was nice, but I don’t think it was enough.

Prince Poppycock – Do I need to say anything? I guess I should. I couldn’t stop laughing during this act. Perfect song choice, perfect concept, it was a perfect act. It is going to be tough to top that in the finals. He’s the only slam dunk to make it through of the night.

I think Prince Poppycock, Anna & Patryk, ArcAttack, and Michael Grimm advance by America’s vote. Antonio Restivo and Taylor Matthews finish 5 and 6, and the judges take Antonio to the finals.

John’s Thoughts: I still love Christina and Ali. I can vote for story if I like:-) I think Taylor Matthews also has more of a chance than people are giving him. I also think that Michael Grimm is a sure thing to get through along with Poppycock. Does anyone else want to hear from the other female climber on Acendance? She’s incredibly attractive. Just saying.

August 24, 2010 I Written By

America’s Got Talent 5: Wildcard Music

If you happen to know any of the missing music please let me know.

PERFORMANCE SHOW:

Kruti Dance Academy – Sivaji (The Boss): Suraj Hai Chanda Hai

Rudi Macaggi –

RNG – Lil Jon and LMFAO: Outta Your Mind Outta

Harmonica Pierre – Lady Gaga: Alejandro Alejandro

Michael Grasso –

Hot Shot Tap Dancers – Black Eyed Peas: Rockin to Beat Rockin'

Connor Doran – Westlife: You Raise Me Up You

Anna & Patryk – Sergio Mendes feat. Black Eyed Peas: Mas Que Nada Mas

Michael & Ashleigh – Rihanna: Rude Boy Rude

SwingShift SideShow –

RESULTS SHOW:

LeAnn Rimes: Swingin’ Swingin'

I Written By

America’s Got Talent 2010 Semi-Finals

Can you believe we’re already at the semi-finals. Actually, my wife has been complaining that the season has really seemed to drag on. I personally think it’s been just about right. Either way, the semi finals is here. I’m guessing we’re looking at 2 episodes of AGT semi finals with 12 acts on each episode.

One of Pure America’s Got Talent Readers, Steven, created his rankings for the 24 semi final acts still left on America’s Got Talent 2010. I’d love to see other people’s lists:
I will say that i do have a preferance towards non singing acts. Feel free to critique my list.
1. fighting gravity
2. haspop
3. micheal grasso
4. jackie envancho
5. alice tan ridly
6. prince poppycock
7. acendance
8.micheal grimm
9. christina and ali
10. studio 1 young beast society
11. debra romer
12. micheal lipari & ashleigh dejon
13. taylor mathews
14. nathan kenyon
15. dan sperry
16. murray sawchuck
17. anna & patryk
18.arcattack
19. kristina young
20. maestro alexander bui
21. antonio restivo
22. future funk
23. jeremy vanschoonhoven
24. connor doran

Steven definitely has a biased against the singing acts. You can be certain that a number of the singing acts will be higher on the list. I also think Haspop is far too high. I’d also not count out Connor Doran. He’s going to get a ton of votes for his emotional story.

Let’s hear your thoughts on the America’s Got Talent 2010 semi finalists!

August 20, 2010 I Written By