Sebastian and Sonia faced tragedy ahead of the Live Quarterfinals, yet they persevered and won the Golden Buzzer.
Magicians, singers, dancers, and more took the stage in the current round of America’s Got Talent, as they do on every show. According to Simon Cowell, the last Live Golden Buzzer of the Season 19 Quarterfinals went to an act that was not only extremely brilliant but also quite daring.
Sebastian and Sonia astounded the audience with their almost impossible aerialist abilities during their audition. They quickly moved to the following round, hoping to once again show the world what they were capable of. However, tragedy happened, and they just had three days to transform their whole act into something deserving of a Golden Buzzer.
What has happened to Sonia?
Any AGT Act involves a significant amount of behind-the-scenes rehearsal. If you have a risky act like Sebastian and Sonia’s, anything might happen during practice. Sonia collapsed while preparing on the AGT stage and shattered her elbow. Her accident compelled her to wear a brace for the foreseeable future, so she was unable to execute their complicated aerialist act on Tuesday night.
While other post-show performers may have given up, these two realized they had to keep trying “to fight for our dreams and keep things alive,” as Sebastian put it.
Although he was devastated by her injury, he spent the next three days devising a solo act that they thought would keep them in the competition until she healed and they could once again show the world what they were capable of at their peak.
Despite the fact that he didn’t have much time to prepare and usually works with Sonia, Sebastian put up a gorgeous and athletic performance set to Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood.” The audience was mesmerized as he utilized ropes to launch himself high over the platform and perform a sequence of flips and stunts that you just had to see to believe. He finished the act with a stunning spin, sustaining his full weight with his arms dangerously far over the stage.
Perhaps the most uplifting aspect of the entire performance was the few times the cameras cut backstage to Sonia watching the act with Terry Crews. While the presenter was dancing to the music, Sonia’s gaze remained fixed on the screen, soaking in every moment and move Sebastian performed with the express intention of keeping their collective dream alive.
The severity of the situation and the beauty of the performance were not missed on the audience or the judges, especially Cowell.
Why did Simon Cowell give Sebastian and Sonia the Golden Buzzer?
In sum, Cowell believed that what Sebastian had developed to execute on stage demonstrated not just tremendous skill but also courage.
“Many people would have given up.” How do you perform this act with two people and one person and make it incredible?” he explained. “To be honest, I believe most people would have simply said, ‘You know what, we’ve had an accident, and we can’t continue.'” But you did the reverse. You continued. This was the best reply we’ve gotten thus far, which is why you’re receiving…
With that, and the crowd’s overwhelming ovation, Simon pressed the Golden Buzzer, sending Sebastian and Sonia through to the Finals, where she should be cured and ready to fight.
“That is the definition of courage,” Cowell stated. “You do not give up. Seriously.”
With that, the weeping aerialist duo’s hopes are saved for another round, owing to their bravery, confidence in each other, and some outstanding ability.