Star-studded guest judges include Spice Girls icon Emma Bunton reuniting with Mel B, Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated comedian Nikki Glaser joining Howie Mandel, social media sensation Lele Pons and Latin Grammy-winning superstar Sebastián Yatra teaming up with Sofía Vergara, and global pop star Normani alongside Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Poo Bear joining Simon Cowell.

The judges spend two days with their hand picked contestants. Day one is get to know you. Day 2 are performances.

Mel B. House in Leeds UK with Emma Bunton

Lachlan Patterson – Comic

Mel takes her six contestants to her home in Leeds, UK. Her mom is on hand and Emma Button serves as guest judge. But not at the pub! For the comic Lachlan, she takes the gang to her local pub so he can perform in in front of an audience. He’s a laid back dude, but does manage to elicite chuckles. But Lachlan felt he could have done better.

Butter & Grit – Country songwriting duo

The duo performed what amounted to a novelty song for their audition. But this new self-penned song is a pretty ballad. If they had sung this song for their audition, they may have gone straight to the lives. Very pretty and emotional. The two display pretty harmonies. Emma is very emotional. The two are soulmates, but not romantic partners.

Joel M – Magician

Joel had swiped Mel’s special diamond bracelet for his audition performance. Mel said he couldn’t take anything else from her, but Emma was fair game. He uses fruit from the fridge and an egg trom Mel’s chickens. Once again, Joel wows Mel. Emma is impressed too. His routines are clever, but kind of meandering.

Madelyne Tallent & Malachi Martin – Country duo

 Howie said No after their audition. But Mel believes in them. They chose a song, but Mel wants to change it. The two are nervous they’ll have to change it on the fly. In the end, they decided to play it safe and sing the song they originally planned. I don’t know, the song is fine–they flip Shut Up and Dance with banjos and stuff! Madelyne is a solid singer. Butter and Grit the other country duo, has an edge as original songwriters. Mel is still not convinced.

James & Marina – Mentalists

 They start with James picking up objects and Marina, blindfolded, guessing what it is. She’s able to guess the amount of battery Emma has left on her smart phone. Also the doggo photo from the front. The action moves outside. Mel lends Marina her cowboy boots to wear. Marina, from outside, guesses a bunch of items that she personally gathered. She guesses correctly. Good use of the space. The big finish, Emma guesses the photo Mel is holding! She “heard” the name. The power of suggestion that could have gone wrong.

Bety – Singer/Espanol

Bety is young–a high school student. It wouldn’t be a bad thing to be eliminated at this point. The young singer is very nervous. She sings popular songs using a mixture of English and Spanish. She’s a decent singer. Emma believes she really connected to the song, “Impossible.” Mel feels she has some hard decisions to make.

Mel B RESULTS

Madelyne Tallent & Malachi Martin -ELIMINATED – Mel thinks they need more time
James and Marina – Mentalists – ADVANCED!
Joel M – Magician – ELIMINATED
Lachlan Patterson – Comic – ELIMINATED – Mel thinks he needs more work
Bety – Singer/Espanol – ADVANCED – Mel feels she played it safe. But she’s through nevertheless
Butter & Grit – Country Duo – ADVANCED

Simon Cowell House in Malibu, CA with Normani and Poo Bear

Sando – Comic dancer

He’s a social media star. Simon suggests he goes big with more dancers and DRONES. He dances on a large platform outside with a few fellow dancers. It’s entertaining! Simon is laughing. Oh, the drone took top down shots from the sky.

Travis Garland – Dancing with the Stars singer

Simon told Travis straight up that he thinks he is CORNY. “I want to see the real you,” Simon adds. At one point, Travis had a record deal, but it fizzled. He performs Love on the Brain. He’s got a good voice, and his audition was actually pretty great. But he does not add any “moves” to the performance here. If this doesn’t impress Simon, nothing will. Simon gives him a thumbs up. Normani felt it was too “technically correct.”

Nyjah and Zyah – Singing duo

The two are very young and unseasoned. They would appeal to teenyboppers though, just the kind of act Simon loves to bring along. Simon stops them mid performance “It wasn’t working.” Normani and Simon instruct them to use the stage more. They are pretty awkward up there. It’s a good song pick, better than their audition. The group felt their second go worked.

Elektro Dads – Dad dance group

Simon believes the corny dad dancing will connect with viewers. Probably! These guys say the all married young (from Arizona, probably Mormon). They do a shtick that includes family voice mails and such. They wear fake babies on their chests. Talk about corny? THIS IS IT. CRINGE. It’s not for me, literally though. Simon calls the performance clever and cute.

Akira – Silly naked act

Simon loves the silly naked acts, and there is at least one every season? Or every other season at least. The acts include the performer traversing the stage naked while precariously hiding the goods with pie plates and what not. I never show anything, the very naked Akira announces. He switches between items, without exposing himself. That’s the act! It’s so dumb, I bet Simon picks it.

Elsie – Singer-Songwriter

Elsie was nervous during her audition, but she really was good enough to advance straight to the lives. Simon believes she was too polished. He wants her to let go and perform authentically. Elsie felt she may have over-rehearsed for her audition. She sings a cover “Make it Rain.” It’s a sultry and soulful performance. She’s not showy, but makes an impact nevertheless. Simon feels she finally made a connection this time.

Simon’s RESULTS

Oh noes. Sando had to leave before the results to attend a family obligation.

Travis Garland – Dancing with the Stars singer – Simon thinks Travis has developed some bad habits…wait for it. ADVANCED. FAKE OUT.
Elektro Dads – Dad dance group – ELIMINATED. Simon eliminates them, but urges them to practice more and come back next year.
Sando – Comic Dancer – ADVANCED – Simon loved the bigger performance. Sando goes to the live shoes.
Akira – Silly naked act – ADVANCED – Of course, the silly naked shenanigans live to perform live.
Nyjah and Zyah – Singing duo – ADVANCED – Simon feels they have potential
Elsie – Singer-Songwriter – ADVANCED. He can’t imagine the live shows without her. Does he get extra acts because he’s the boss?

I watched Simon’s results a second time to confirm that he, indeed, only eliminated ONE of his six acts, the Elektro Dads.

Elsie got the news last, and as so many acts advanced, she was sure she was going home.

Plus, Simon pulled a fake out before advancing her.