AGT: Fantasy League: Simon Cowell hits Golden Buzzer for Sainted Trap Choir sending them straight to finals

Simon Cowell used his Golden Buzzer for Sainted Trap Choir after their cover of Prince’s Purple Rain on Monday’s episode of America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.

The 64-year-old mentor had worked with the group from Charlotte, North Carolina before the finals to earn them the coveted endorsement of the song Purple Rain.

“I’m going to make this happen somehow,” Simon said.

The night before they were to perform, they learned that Prince’s estate had made an exception and allowed them to perform Purple Rain.

After the group was excited about the news, they took the stage, dressed all in white, and danced and sang in unison to the legendary song.

The judges gave them a standing ovation when they finished.

“Mic drop,” said host Terry Crews, 55.

‘It was amazing!’ Howie Mandel, 68, said.

“They were brilliant,” said Mel B., 48.

“I just got in touch with you from that first audition,” Simon said. “Then we talked on the phone and I said, how would you like to sing my favorite song of all time, Purple Rain? I just heard this scream. And I thought: that’s a yes. I think Prince is the greatest artist of all time. And you said it would be okay. It wasn’t. It was incredible.’

Simon said he truly prayed that his moment would change their lives. He said he was going to give them something from his heart, and then he stood up and pushed the Golden Buzzer.

Gold confetti rained down around them as they hugged. Simon joined them on stage and hugged them.

“They’re going all the way to the finals,” Terry said.

The judges also served as mentors to hand-picked acts during the season and can use their Golden Buzzer to take one of their own acts to the finals or steal an act from another coach, while also taking them to the finals . Each of the contestants competed for the grand prize of $250,000.

Aerialist Aidan Bryant, from Heidi Klum’s dream team, went first. He was a self-taught artist who won AGT: All Stars. Aidan said he was coming back to defend his title.

Heidi, 50, encouraged him to bring his original story of educating himself to his final performance. Aidan, who already had his own show in Las Vegas, wowed the crowd with his skills soaring high above the stage. The audience gave him a standing ovation when he finished.

‘It’s perfection!’ said Mel B. about his performance.

Travis Japan, a group of singers, was part of Mel’s Dream Team.

“I love these guys,” Mel B. said.

“If they’re good, I’ll take them,” Simon said.

Travis Japan then sang and danced around the stage singing “just dance.” The crowd cheered for them.

“You’re very cute,” Heidi said.

“You’re not the best singers in the world,” Simon said. ‘That wasn’t the best song I ever heard. I got to the good part. I like that you’re old-fashioned. And it actually makes me feel happy every time you come by.’

“You were great,” Mel B. said.

Cillian O’Connor, a 14-year-old magician, went next. Simon chose him for his team because of his son Eric.

“I promised Eric I would pick one out for him,” Simon said. “So Eric, this one’s for you.”

Cillian said he was overwhelmed when Simon chose him for his team. Cillian thanks Simon for allowing him to be part of his group. Cillian then amazed the audience with his card tricks and the ability to make the cards fly into his hands and then disappear themselves.

“You are truly amazing, not only as a magician, but as a person,” Howie said.

“I think you really have something special about you,” Simon said.

Singer Brian Justin Crum, part of Mel B.’s dream team, went next. He sang a cover of Bob Dylan’s song Forever Young.

“I think your voice is extraordinary,” Heidi said.

“I think you’re a great singer,” Simon said. ‘Would I have chosen that song? No.’

“We talked about bringing it back to you and your voice,” Mel B. said.

Mel’s choice of the Ghetto Kids, an NGO orphanage from Uganda whose mission is to use music, dance and drama to help underprivileged children, went next. Mel B. said she first saw them on British Got Talent and then they went viral. The children said after being on the show that they met the leader of their country.

The judges gave them a standing ovation when they finished.

“You always put a smile on my face and everyone’s face,” Howie said. “I think at this point in our lives, nothing is more important than putting a smile on someone’s face.”

“I think you’re all absolutely adorable,” Heidi said.

“You’re just brilliant,” Simon said. “You work hard for this.”

Howie brought back magician Anna DeGuzman to be part of his fantasy team. Anna called Mel and Terry on stage as her assistants. Anna made sure that drinks appeared on stage for both of them. She then guessed a card that Mel had chosen and made appear in Terry’s wallet.

‘You are great!’ Mel said.

Singing ventriloquist Darci Lynne, 19, a former AGT winner, returned to Heidi’s fantasy team. She sang I’ve Got The Music in Me together with her doll Petunia. She then started playing the guitar and Petunia sang along. The audience gave her a standing ovation.

“There are very few people in the world who can do what you do,” Simon said. ‘Singing and ventriloquism together.’

Heidi chose psychics Thommy and Amelie for her fantasy team. They brought the judges to the stage to be part of their act and guessed the songs the judges selected. The crowd cheered for them when they finished.

“You make this look so easy, but what you do is absolutely extraordinary,” Mel said.

The final act of the two-hour episode was dancer Musa Motha, who had lost one of his legs. Musa performed from London because his paperwork to fly was not done in time, Simon said. He used his crutch to propel him forward in his dance and when he finished, the judges and audience gave him a standing ovation.

“Unbelievable,” Terry said.

“I have so much respect for you as a person, as an artist you are exceptional,” Simon said.

“It’s incredible to think that someone who loses a leg and loses the opportunity to play football would make their next choice dancing,” Howie said. “There are people with twice as many legs as you who don’t come close to what I just saw here.”

“Thanks,” Musa said.

After the audience votes were tallied, Musa, Ghetto Kids, Anna, Aiden and Darci advanced to the semi-finals.

America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League returns next week on NBC with the semifinals.

The spin-off series premiered on January 1.