Ep 1. Auditions, Week 1

America's Got Talent is back for its thirteenth season, and with it comes a brand new set of incredibly talented performers looking to achieve their dreams and blow the judges away. The season premiere, Auditions Week 1, kicked off with a bang, introducing viewers to a diverse array of acts from all over the country.

The first act to take the stage was a group of young girls called Voices of Hope, a choir made up of girls aged 5-17. Their performance of "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman was powerful and emotional, showcasing the strength of their individual voices as well as their ability to harmonize together. The judges were impressed with their talent and their passion, with Simon Cowell commenting that they were "the best choir we've had on AGT."

Next up was Amanda Mena, a 15-year-old singer from Massachusetts. Amanda wowed the judges with her rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Natural Woman," showcasing an incredibly mature and soulful voice that belied her young age. Howie Mandel was the first to give her a standing ovation, with the other judges following suit. "I haven't felt this way about a singer since Kelly Clarkson," said Simon, indicating that he saw big things in Amanda's future.

Another standout performer was Shin Lim, a magician who pulled off some truly mind-bending tricks that left the judges scratching their heads. Shin's illusions were so impressive that he even prompted Howie to exclaim, "I'm not even sure if you're from this planet." Mel B. was similarly blown away, stating, "I've never seen magic like this before on America's Got Talent."

But not all the acts were big successes. One performer, a ventriloquist named Darci Lynne, stumbled slightly in her first appearance on the AGT stage. Although her ventriloquist skills were impressive, her choice of material left the judges lukewarm, with Simon commenting that he didn't think her act had "enough edge." Still, there's plenty of time for Darci Lynne to improve and show off what she's really capable of.

Other notable acts included Mochi, a diabolo artist who performed a mesmerizing string of complex tricks that earned him a standing ovation; Zurcaroh, a dance group of all ages who put on a high-energy routine that Simon called "one of the most incredible things I've ever seen"; and Us the Duo, a married couple who sang an original song that showcased their stunning harmonies.

All in all, the season premiere of America's Got Talent proved to be a promising start to what looks to be another exciting and entertaining season. With so many talented performers already making their mark, it's clear that the competition is going to be fierce, and it will be exciting to see who comes out on top.