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NBC Insider America's Got Talent

The AGT Judges Had Priceless Reactions to That Simon Cowell Singing Audition

Their faces were too good.

By Christopher Rosa

Simon Cowell sang on the second episode of America's Got Talent Season 17—well, sort of. 

How to Watch

Watch the Season 19 premiere of America’s Got Talent Tuesday, May 28 at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock

It was actually a company called Metaphysic that made this magic happen. As we learned in the episode, Tom and Chris from Metaphysic use artificial intelligence to create hyper-real content—but what does that mean, exactly? Well, in AGT land, it means they can use technology to create a fake Simon Cowell—and tap an AGT singer, Daniel Emmet, to belt a ballad and make it look like Cowell is performing. The result, as we saw in Episode 2 on June 7, was absolutely priceless. 

And you could see this on the Judge's faces. Sofía Vergara let out an audible gasp when "Cowell" started singing. Heidi Klum started cackling. Howie Mandel couldn't help but laugh, too. 

As for Cowell himself? He was so shocked by the stunt that he watched most of it with his hands covering his mouth and face. 

"Wow," Klum said, her eyes widened in complete awe. 

Halfway through the performance, the real Cowell broke into a smile. Vergara fully had her hands in the air and was swaying to the music. By the end, all the Judges had to give Metaphysic a standing ovation—and Cowell (yes, the real one) was the first to jump up from his chair. 

"Is it inappropriate to fall in love with a Contestant?" Cowell said jokingly. "I know it's strange, but I love you, Daniel." 

"This was the best thing I've seen all day," Klum said. Naturally, a swift "Yes" from all four Judges followed. 

AGT airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.