Danville teen’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ ride comes to an end
Sophie Pecora sent home despite touching judges with her heartfelt songs
“Amer ica’s Got Talent” finally reached the live- show phase on Tuesday night as 12 acts — including Danville’s Sophie Pecora — went all- out in an effort to win viewer votes.
On Wednesday’s results show, we were forced to say goodbye to five of those acts, including Pecora, the 15-year- old singer-rapper who made her mark with original songs about teen angst, self-image and bullying.
At the top of the show, host Terry Crews announced that Sophie, 13-year- old country singer Ansley Burns and the highkicking dance group Emerald Belles all were on the bubble and competing for viewers’ so- called Dunkin’ Save votes.
And it was Burns who won the Save, meaning that Pecora and the Belles were out.
It was a bit of a stunner as Pecora was a Golden Buzzer winner (thanks to Brad Paisley) and Monday’s field of performers wasn’t the strongest collectively we’ve ever seen on “AGT.” But it also didn’t help that Pecora’s original song — “Happy in L. A.” — wasn’t as memorable and/ or relatable as her previous two.
So who else will join Burns in the “AGT” semifinals? They are:
• Alex Dowis, a light projection artist.
• Luke Islam, a 12-yearold singer.
• Kodi Lee, a 22-yearold singer who may have owned the night with his emotional cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
• Voices of Service, a singing group.
• Messoudi Brothers, a muscle- bound, hand- balancing trio.
• Greg Morton, an impressionist who did a funny bit with dialogue from famous films, including “The Godfather” and “Rocky.”
The other acts going home, along with Sophie and the Emerald Belles, are singer Carmen Carter, girl singing group G-Force and the daredevil act Bir Khalsa.