‘America’s Got Talent’ 12: Merrick Hanna, The Masqueraders Reveal Their Biggest Inspiration

“America’s Got Talent” Season 12 will see a dozen contestants take the Dolby Theater stage on Tuesday night.

Ahead of the live show, young robotic dancer Merrick Hanna shared his biggest inspiration for joining the hit NBC reality TV competition. The 9-year-old performer said that watching “America’s Got Talent” is what inspired him to audition for the show.

Hanna also recounted the day when he found out that there was an open call audition in Los Angeles, and he asked his family members if he could try his luck. They all agreed and accompanied him to the auditions. He said that it was such an amazing experience especially when she saw that several different types of performers were also there.

The three-male singing group The Masqueraders shared that church is what inspired them to sing. After church, the trio would listen to the songs being played on the radio and admitted that they didn’t really like them so they decided to sings songs that were released several years ago.

Eric Jones’ biggest inspiration is fellow magician David Blaine. After watching one of his performances, Jones was so inspired to try doing magic, and it became an obsession and a life-long career for him. Jones did not really impress all four judges during his audition, unlike Hanna and the Masqueraders. But in the judge cuts round, he redeemed himself, especially to judge Simon Cowell.

Meanwhile, Cowell’s golden buzzer recipient, Mandy Harvey, said that she is inspired by everyone who has been motivating her to continue with her music despite being completely deaf. Harvey’s family, friends, fans and even the random strangers she has met have been instrumental in helping her succeed.

Guest judge Seal’s golden buzzer recipient, Johnny Manuel, said that his biggest inspiration is his parents because they have supported him since day one. Manuel was previously signed under a record label, and he managed to release an album. Unfortunately, things did not work out for him so he lost his contract at the age of 17.

“America’s Got Talent” Season 12 airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC.