America’s Got Talent contestant makes judges gasp with huge mistake during live show by twirling fire stick

BATON twirler Phillip Lewis shocked the America’s Got Talent judges after making a huge mistake during his live show.

The self-taught artist joined the cast of the first quarterfinal episode of season 19, which aired on Tuesday, August 13.

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After impressing the judges with his baton twirling routine during the auditions, Phillip returned to the AGT stage with a new, more dangerous routine set to Like That by Fleur East.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go to plan after Phillip dropped his bat twice in the first minute of his performance.

Judge Sofia Vergara looked dismayed when the Georgia resident failed to catch the baton a third time, before Phillip decided to up the ante by setting the batons on fire.

Fortunately, the rest of their routine went off without a hitch, with Sofia’s fellow judges Simon Cowell and Heidi Klum joining actress Griselda in giving Phillip a standing ovation while Howie Mandel remained seated.

Asked for his feedback, Simon, 64, said he liked Phillip “even more because you dropped” the batons, while praising him for carrying on with the act with a smile on his face.

“I think people are really going to root for you and they should root for you,” he continued, adding, “Good for you for not giving up.”

Howie, 68, jokingly suggested that the mistakes were a deliberate ploy to get America’s attention, explaining: “What can you tell me now, and I’m right, [is] that you dropped them on purpose.”

“A lot of other baton twirlers catch everything,” he joked. “But you’re unique – you get 80%!”

Supermodel Heidi told Phillip “you didn’t disappoint” while also giving credit to Phillip because he “kept on like a true athlete,” while Sofia said, “You looked incredible on that stage tonight!”

She continued, “It was emotional because we know how hard this is.”

Fans at home were less forgiving, with several social media users suggesting the judges should have used buzzers instead of emitting “participation trophy energy.”

“So only the best pass,” one Instagram user commented on a clip of Phillip’s performance. “He dropped the bat. There are artists who have perfected their craft.

“Sorry, but not everyone gets a trophy.”

“I would have called Phillip when he dropped his baton several times during the performance,” another person wrote on X.

A third comment read: “The judges were literally promoting failure with the baton twirling…talk about participation trophy energy.”

One person explained on Facebook: “In the baton twirling competition, falls are automatic deductions from the score.

“When judges try to say that a fall somehow improved the routine, it is dishonest and the same as giving everyone a ‘participation trophy,’” they continued.

GOLD STANDARD

AGT returned to screens after a brief hiatus, as Sofia made history by delivering the first live Golden Buzzer show for one act.

Their decision means the Hakuna Matata Acrobats will go straight to the final after the Tanzanian group put in a jaw-dropping performance.

Heidi praised their “death-defying” routine set to Zayde Wolf’s Maniac, as the acrobats completed incredible headstands and mid-air splits while balancing on top of each other.

“This is one of the most difficult and dangerous acts we have ever seen in a live show,” Simon said of the display. “It seemed to me that you had arrived.”

“It’s death-defying what you do,” Heidi added. “Plus, you’re doing this on a roller skate. You guys are amazing.”

The change in format means each judge will now have the power to advance an act to the final, saving it from public voting.

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