America’s Got Talent contestant Avalon Penrose, who introduced herself as someone who sang opera in her childhood, brought chaos — and fun — to the stage.
“I was a childhood opera singer. And then I ended up quitting opera very dramatically when I was 14, because I was having panic attacks every time I performed,” she explained to the judges. “Now, after 14 years, I’ve kind of decided I want to try and find my voice again. Being able to perform in front of a crowd and maybe be an inspiration to other kids who suffered through stage fright, who think that maybe they can’t do it, I want you to know that you can.”
Penrose, who wore a lovely dress that made it appear as if she were simply going to sing, then launched into her take on Andrea Bocelli’s “Time to Say Goodbye.” But she put a twist on it.
Soon, a team brought out a fan that blew confetti and other objects and substances that they threw at her all over her face, hair, that dress, and everywhere. By the end of the song, she took a pie in the face.
Mel B couldn’t take it, and the judge gave her a “X.”
Fellow judge Sofia Vergara, who had said she loved the song when it began to play, told her she was ruining it.
“You don’t need this,” Vergara told Penrose.
The contestant explained that the only way she could still perform opera — which she was quite good at — anymore was by making fun of herself.
Simon Cowell’s laugh made it obvious he was a fan, and Howie Mandel argued that the comedic element is what made her act “special” and “memorable.”
Vergara asked for another song, but questioned who would be throwing things at her if she did one.
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Penrose wanted Cowell to do the honor while she sang, and Mandel volunteered to help.
Pies and other objects flew, and by the end of it, it seemed as if all of AGT were involved.
Amid all the chaos, Penrose ended up earning four yes votes from the judges in the episode, the last of the auditions for season 20; however, she was not among the acts named at the end that will be moving on to the Live Shows, which begin Aug. 19 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
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