Sofia Vergara Just Did Something Never Done Before in AGT History

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America’s Got Talent upped the stakes this year by providing judges with not one, but two Golden Buzzers each during Auditions, meaning there were nine opportunities total for contestants to earn the coveted accolade. But, as if that weren’t enough, the show introduced one more twist — another Golden Buzzer for each judge, this time to be used during the Live Shows! This Golden Buzzer would send an act straight to the final. And on the first night of Live Shows, Sofia Vergara made America’s Got Talent history by being the first judge to use her extra Golden Buzzer.

The Tanzanian group Matata Acrobatics performed a series of acrobatic tricks while carefully balancing upon each other’s bodies and on top of rolling platforms to earn Vergara’s Live Show Golden Buzzer, and praises from all the judges. They will now move on straight to the final, where they are set to compete with nine other acts.

More: See How the Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent Works

The Golden Buzzer was first introduced during Season 10 and has typically allowed a talent act to move straight to the Live Shows, though at this point it can probably be reconsidered as allowing a talent to move onto the next round. In the years since the Golden Buzzer was implemented, countless performers have earned the downpour of gold confetti that accompanies the special button. Several of those winners even went on to win the entire show, including Paul Zerdin, Grace VanderWaal, Darci Lynne Farmer and Kodi Lee. In past seasons, each judge was only allowed one Golden Buzzer to be used during auditions. Beginning with Season 11, the talent competition’s host was also given the ability to use the Golden Buzzer.

More: America’s Got Talent Winners Ranked: The Best and Worst Acts From All Seasons

Season 19 marks a shift in format, as judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum will have three separate Golden Buzzers during the course of the show. Meanwhile, host Terry Crews keeps his one Golden Buzzer. “There’s so many times we needed to give a Golden Buzzer and you ran out … It’s kind of like running out of Halloween candy. You know what I mean? And people [are] still coming to the house. And you keep having to apologize,” Crews told Us Weekly about the rule change. He added that “everyone that needs and deserves” a Golden Buzzer this year “will be able to get one.”

In honor of the rule change, we’ve ranked every Season 19 Golden Buzzer winner. Scroll on to which contestants are least and most likely to win the entire competition, including Sofia Vergara’s new and historic first Live Show Golden Buzzer winners.

Schumacher, Episode 7 – Sofía Vergara’s Second Golden Buzzer

Sofía Vergara saved her last Golden Buzzer for perhaps one of the most bizarre acts to come across the AGT stage. Schumacher is comprised of Japanese duo Ryutaro “Ryu” Nakamura and Yuya Shimada, and the act consisted of the two men creating animals using their bodies.

The act begins with Ryu and Yuyu standing silently and staring out into the crowd with stern facial expressions. When the record skips, they both spring into action. Ryu man tears off his clothes to reveal a white bodysuit underneath, while Yuya retrieves a dog mask from behind a curtain. As soon as the mask is placed on Ryu’s head, he positions himself on all fours and turns his neck, perfectly imitating a dog. The duo goes on to imitate a zebra, a unicorn, and finally, a giraffe that requires both men.

The hilarious act earned laughs from the entire crowd and praise from the judges, but we were shocked when Vergara gave it her last remaining Golden Buzzer. “What is it? Is it a dance? A puppet? Or a transformation, quick change? I don’t know because I’m very confused. I thought it was ridiculous. It’s nonsense,” she adding, before adding: “I really don’t know what it is, but I think you deserve this!” With that, she gave the quirky act the Golden Buzzer, to the surprise of her fellow judges and viewers at home.

While Shumacher is certainly unique, we can’t see the duo going all the way and winning the entire show.

Learnmore Jonasi, Episode 1 – Terry Crews’ Golden Buzzer

Stand-up comedian Learnmore Jonasi received Season 19’s first Golden Buzzer and host Terry Crews’ one and only Golden Buzzer. In a confessional, Jonasi explained that he grew up watching Crews’ movie White Chicks in Zimbabwe and was inspired by the actor to become a comedian. “I’m here because of you,” he told Crews ahead of his performance.

His hilarious set included jokes about his life growing up in a small village in Zimbabwe and his experience coming to America. After receiving great feedback from the judges, including Cowell telling him that he was “one of the funniest people” the show’s ever had, Crews came out and surprised Jonasi with his Golden Buzzer. “Learnmore, when you were backstage you were telling me that you were taking 14-hour bus trips to go perform for 5 minutes, and then having to take 14-hour bus trips back home,” he said, before slamming the buzzer. “Brother, you will never have to go back home again because you are here with us forever.”

“I feel like this is a dream. Is this actually happening? Punch me,” he told Crews afterward.

While Jonasi was hilarious, no stand-up comedian has ever won AGT, and that is perhaps because comedy doesn’t standout as much as some of the other truly unique acts.

Brent Street Dance, Episode 4 – Howie Mandel’s First Golden Buzzer

Mandel gave away his first Golden Buzzer of the season after he was blown away by Australian dance group Brent Street Dance during the June 25 episode. Led by 17-year-old Zac Degersigny, the 28-member group performed a visually stunning, synchronized routine set to “Hope” by rapper NF. “I thought everything you did was amazing, it was a surprise,” Mandel said while hiding under the judges’ desk. He then popped up and slammed the buzzer, telling Degersigny afterward: “Congratulations buddy. You guys are amazing.”

The comedian wasn’t the only judge who was impressed by the group’s dancing. “This was a very, very, very, very exciting dance. Beautiful. It was also something we haven’t seen before. Really entertaining,” Klum said. “My favorite part of being a Judge of AGT is to be able to watch the answers to watch what humans can do with their bodies,” Vergara added. “It was for sure the coolest thing I’ve seen today.” Cowell chimed in and noted: “Even though there were a lot of you it was almost like it was just one … I could see just after how much it means to each one of you individually.That’s the kind of audition we love on the show.”

Brent Street’s performance was definitely captivating, but the show has featured plenty of other dance groups and similar acts. In AGT‘s history, only one dance group has won the competition, and that was the Lebanese all-women group Mayyas, who won season 17.

Legión, Episode 3 – Sofía Vergara’s First Golden Buzzer

In the third round of auditions, Argentinian dance company Legión stole the show. The group performed the Malambo and took the traditional Argentinian folk dance to a whole new level when they lit their boots on fire. The thrilling routine also featured drumming and tricks with whips and knives that were also set on fire.

Ahead of their performance, the group revealed that they have “regular jobs” and rehearse all week before and after work. They added that dancing is ultimately what they want to do for a living and with the prize money, they would like to build their own studio.

Legión’s fiery act earned high praise from the judges, with Mandel calling it “very unexpected and very surprising.” When it was Vergara’s turn, she noted that the Malambo is not new to her since she is from South America, which elicited boos from the crowd. The Modern Family alum then added that their performance of the dance was “spectacular” and something she had never seen before, ultimately motivating her to give the group her first Golden Buzzer of the season.  “This is exactly what we are here for … this is AGT,” she said afterward. “This might change these guys’ lives and I love to be part of it.”

The fire definitely added a unique element to the dance, but this act could easily become repetitive unless they up the stakes and add more death-defying stunts in each performance.

Liv Warfield, Episode 2 – Simon Cowell’s First Golden Buzzer

R&B singer-songwriter Liv Warfield left both the audience and the judges speechless during the June 4 episode. Ahead of her performance, Warfield explained that she had been working in the music industry for many years. “I’ve been doing this for a long time and the industry is really hard because things have changed over time, but I continue to push because I just want to inspire people,” the Chicago-based singer said before taking the stage, adding: “I haven’t quit and I won’t.”

Warfield and her 10-person band then delivered a show-stopping performance of the original song “Stare,” earning a standing ovation from the crowd and high praise from the judges. Cowell was floored by Warfield’s stage presence and powerhouse vocals, telling the singer: “That wasn’t long enough … it was like being, in a good way, being punched in the face by your energy, the band. All these years of frustration and you come on here and I’m sorry, I can’t give you a yes, I’ve got to give you one of these.” He then gave Warfield his first Golden Buzzer of the season.

“I’m overwhelmed and so grateful,” Warfield said afterward. “We all do it because we love it so much, we live for the music. Thank you.”

Warfield is definitely a top contender to win Season 19, and several fans agree. “[Pranysqa Mishra] Richard [Goodall] & LIV!!! 3 singers, GOLDEN BUZZERS!! I can definitely see one of them winning the competition,” one fan wrote of the three singers who have received Golden Buzzers so far.

Reid Wilson, Episode 7 – Howie Mandel’s Second Golden Buzzer

14-year-old Reid Wilson was the third singer to earn a Golden Buzzer in Season 19, and he definitely deserved it. After introducing himself and explaining that singing is his dream, Wilson took everyone by surprise when he began belting out “You Don’t Own Me.” The young singer was clearly nervous at first, but he found his stride and even began around the stage, which Vergara commended him for later on.

While all of the judges were impressed by Wilson, it was Mandel who was “bulled over.” He told Wilson: “I got surprised because first of all, you’re just a 14-year-old kid from Alabama … you were very nervous and you did come off incredibly nervous, but that was a surprise.” Mandel then remarked: “That stage is where dreams come true, do you believe in dreams?” When Wilson answered yes, Mandel told him that his dream was about to come true and slammed his hand down on the Golden Buzzer. Wilson then began crying and his mom rushed on stage to give him a hug.

Wilson’s voice is truly remarkable, and especially for his age. We definitely see him placing in the Top 10 or even winning the show. He even has the support system to help him get there; his older brother, Ryley, was a semi-finalist on Season 23 of NBC’s The Voice.

Hakuna Matata Acrobatics – Sofia Vergara’s Third Golden Buzzer

Tanzanian group Hakuna Matata Acrobatics made history by becoming the first act to earn a Live Show Golden Buzzer, and they certainly made an impression with the kind of performance that included rolling platforms and the four balancing on each other’s bodies. “This was perfection!” Vergara declared after pressing her Golden Buzzer. “Everything, all of it!”

But getting there came with a lot of effort for the group, who admitted that the routine required an intense rehearsal process and “a lot of falling.”

All the hard work paid off, as Vergara wasn’t the only one they impressed. After they were done, Simon Cowell got to his feet, two thumbs in the air, calling them “one of the most difficult, dangerous acts we’ve seen on a live show.”

“It felt to me like you’ve arrived,” he added. “I have so much respect for all of you for what you’ve done… I have a feeling this is gonna be a great, great night for you.”

“You don’t need any help from anyone,” Vergara said, before pushing the Golden Buzzer. That means Hakuna Matata Acrobatics is guaranteed a spot in the Final 10. The question is now if people will find their death-defying stunts as vote-worthy as some of the singers.

Sky Elements, Episode 2 – Simon Cowell’s Second Golden Buzzer

After introducing themselves, Dallas-based group Sky Elements led the judges and audience outside of AGT‘s Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where they presented a 1,000-drone light spectacle. “Writing code is our talent … [we] love merging technology with art, and making it as big as possible,” the group — comprised of Preston, Brian, Phil, Tyler, Kyle and Rick —  said in their intro package. Synced to music, the drones began telling a story of an astronaut launching into outer space and planting an American flag on the moon. The astronaut was then revealed to be Cowell.

In an unprecedented move, Cowell broke the rules and gave away a second Golden Buzzer to Sky Elements, thus setting into motion the new Season 19 rule change. “We keep talking about the rules, there is no rule book, which means I’m gonna do this. Lift off!” he said as he pressed the Golden Buzzer. Mandel, Vergara and Klum were left shocked and confused by the AGT creator’s move. When a producer came up to Cowell and asked him what he was doing, he responded: “I just thought, why not? There’s nothing in the rules that says we can’t.” He then informed his fellow judges that they would also be getting two Golden Buzzers this season.

“I love that we were the ‘first’ second one,” Sky Elements’ Preston Ward told PEOPLE after the historic moment. “We have been the first of many things, so it’s exciting to get to add this to our list of firsts!”

Sky Elements was unlike anything AGT has ever seen before, and we can easily see it becoming a show that people would pay lots of money to see.

Richard Goodall, Episode 1 – Heidi Klum’s First Golden Buzzer

55-year-old Richard Goodall won America’s heart the moment he took the stage and shared his story. The Indiana janitor tried out for AGT back in 2009, but never made it past the open auditions in Chicago. “I’m not a fancy person,” he said during a backstage confessional. “I’m just having fun and trying to make people happy … the kids would hear me sing and they tell me that I’ve got talent, that’s why I’m here.”

Goodall was clearly nervous when he took the stage, but he delivered an amazing rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing,” a song that he described as one that “speaks for itself.” The audience gave him a standing ovation and even started chanting his name, leading the singer to tear up and become emotional. The judges were equally as impressed by Goodall, particularly Klum. “Richard, Richard, Richard, you knocked me off my feet,” Klum said. “I mean we all had the best time with you up on that stage. I really feel something with you up there and I hear you up there… and now, this is what I’m going to do for you, because I love you.” With that, Klum gave Goodall her first Golden Buzzer. The Indiana native broke down in tears and admitted that he took a plane for the first time to come to the audition.

He and Klum then called his fiancée Angie to inform him of his Golden Buzzer win, and the woman could be heard telling Goodall: “I knew it! I told you!”

Goodall’s heartwarming story has fans and judges alike rooting for him to win the competition, and we think this could finally be his big break.

Pranysqa Mishra, Episode 5 – Heidi Klum’s Second Golden Buzzer

9-year-old singer Pranysqa Mishra took everyone by surprise when she belted out Tina Turner’s 1966 hit “River Deep Mountain High” in Episode 5. The young singer hit every note and was full of energy on stage. By the end of the performance, the audience and the judges were on their feet to give her a standing ovation. In her intro package, the Florida native revealed that she had been singing since she was 4 years old and that her grandmother is her biggest cheerleader. “She always wanted me to be on this big stage and now finally I’m here,” she said of her grandma, noting that she would be her first call if the audition went well.

Klum was especially impressed by Mishra and hit the Golden Buzzer before any other judges could even provide feedback. “Oh my gosh, I did not expect that. We expect a lot of things, but I did not expect that,” she said, adding: “And you know what I’m going to do now because I honestly don’t want to hear what Howie, Sofia, and Simon have to say? I want you to call your grandmother and say that Heidi Klum pushed the Golden Buzzer for you.”

Mishra is our top pick to win the show of the Golden Buzzer winners. Her vocal range and stage presence is truly unique, especially considering her age. We’re also not the only ones who think she has what it takes to win the whole show. “With this killer performance I think she could be one of the serious contenders to win this show,” a viewer commented on her audition video.

America’s Got Talent Season 19 airs on NBC on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST and streams on Peacock.

For more on America’s Got Talent, check out this gallery on the judges’ real-life partners.