We’re just two weeks into America’s Got Talent season 19, and Simon Cowell already has some thoughts about one incredible act.
On the June 4 episode of the NBC series, the judge met Phillip Lewis, a 27-year-old self-taught baton twirler from Statesboro, Georgia. As the potential contestant charmed Simon and fellow judges Sofía Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel with notes about using doughnuts as a way to practice his unique skill, Phillip floored everyone in the crowd by performing a dynamic yet complicated routine.
As the audience and judges gave him a standing ovation, Simon couldn’t help but state how impressed he was by Phillip’s act. What’s more, Simon felt the audition was one of the best he’d watched in a long time.
“I’ve got to be honest with you. When someone says ‘baton twirling,’ I’m not going, ‘great,'” Simon began in a clip posted on YouTube. However, this was on a different scale. I mean, genuinely. And your showmanship, by the way, is off the charts. Over the years, this is the best I’ve ever seen.”
Simon wasn’t the only one totally engaged with Phillip’s talent. When fans saw the entire routine, they also couldn’t believe how incredible the audition was.
“Self taught and he’s that good? Man, this guy is so talented,” one person exclaimed in the comments. “This was not basic Baton Twirling 101. This was awesome & on another level. He made it look easy, but you can see his dedication as well as his personality, good job 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉,” another declared. “I need to start eating more donuts 🍩,” a different viewer joked amid Phillip’s unusual practicing equipment.
Needless to say, no one was surprised when Phillip got the go-ahead to proceed to the next round. And if Simon’s comments say anything, Phillip will be one to watch …
