Spotlight on Five America's Got Talent Contestants

Ingela Ratledge August 5, 2015, 12:00 pm

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Eric Liebowitz/NBC
Piff the Magic Dragon
After his second “How did he do that?” card trick—and an assist from his dog—the snarky magician (real name: John van der Put, 35) was sent to the live shows when guest judge Neil Patrick Harris hit his Golden Buzzer.

Peter Kramer/NBC
Benjamin Yonattan
The 14-year-old blind dancer came to the U.S. from Guatemala at age 4. In the competition’s first two rounds, he performed contemporary dances to One Republic’s “I Lived” and Danny Gokey’s “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again.”

Eric Liebowitz/NBC
Sharon Irving
The Chicago-based singer wowed the judges with her rendition of Hozier’s “Take Me to Church,” so much so that the 29-year-old was Mel B.’s Golden Buzzer selection.

Peter Kramer/NBC
The Craig Lewis Band
Zuri Craig, 30, and Jeffrey Lewis, 33, received a standing O for their first song, James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” and were sent straight to Radio City by guest judge Michael Bublé, who used his Golden Buzzer after they sang Mary J. Blige’s “I’m Goin’ Down.”

Peter Kramer/NBC
Ira the Singing Puppet
Ira Fennelbloom, 32, first serenaded Mel B. with Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful,” earning a “yes” from all of the judges—except Mel. In Round 2, he performed Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” with his mom, Miriam, on guitar.

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From dragon suits to droll puppets, take a look at some of the contenders who are heading to Radio City Music Hall. Some even scored the coveted Golden Buzzer from guest judges. Who are you rooting for in the reality competition?

Plus: Read an interview with Heidi Klum and Mel B., the ladies of America's Got Talent.

Spotlight on Five America's Got Talent Contestants

Piff the Magic Dragon

After his second “How did he do that?” card trick—and an assist from his dog—the snarky magician (real name: John van der Put, 35) was sent to the live shows when guest judge Neil Patrick Harris hit his Golden Buzzer.

Benjamin Yonattan

The 14-year-old blind dancer came to the U.S. from Guatemala at age 4. In the competition’s first two rounds, he performed contemporary dances to One Republic’s “I Lived” and Danny Gokey’s “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again.”

Sharon Irving

The Chicago-based singer wowed the judges with her rendition of Hozier’s “Take Me to Church,” so much so that the 29-year-old was Mel B.’s Golden Buzzer selection.

The Craig Lewis Band

Zuri Craig, 30, and Jeffrey Lewis, 33, received a standing O for their first song, James Brown’s “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World,” and were sent straight to Radio City by guest judge Michael Bublé, who used his Golden Buzzer after they sang Mary J. Blige’s “I’m Goin’ Down.”

Ira the Singing Puppet

Ira Fennelbloom, 32, first serenaded Mel B. with Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful,” earning a “yes” from all of the judges—except Mel. In Round 2, he performed Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” with his mom, Miriam, on guitar.