It’s Kardinal Offishall’s turn to slam down the Golden Buzzer in Week Four of Canada’s Got Talent

By BILL BRIOUX

A little monster named Cydnee Abbott was the first act up on Week Four of Canada’s Got Talent on Citytv. The 10-year-old from Oakville confidently walked before the judges and onto the OLG Stage at Fallsview Casino. The tiny dancer seemed sweet and small at first but then quick-changed into a sinister-looking black outfit and, combined with her zombie makeup, freaked everybody out. Her bendy, double-jointed gymnastic routine was performed to eerie music and cracking noises.

“You beautiful monster, it’s a yes from me,” said Lilly Singh, who was as impressed and bewildered as the other judges.

Next up was Maya Gamzu, a singer from Toronto. The 14-year-old belted out “Something’s Got a Hold on Me.” Her parents were in the house, with her mom wiping away tears as her daughter earned a standing ovation. Lilly, however, questioned whether the Christina Aguilera song was right for Gamzu’s voice. That did not seem to be a problem for Kardinal Offishall.

“With the right song choice,” he declared, “you could possibly win all of Canada’s Got Talent.” And with that he slammed down on his Golden buzzer, sending Gamzu straight through to the semi-final round with a chance at the $150,000 grand prize. Kardi then hugged it out with Gamzu on stage; you can catch this golden moment on Citytv’s Canada’s Got Talent YouTube channel.

For other singers, this proved to be a hard act to follow. James Alcock, a singer-musician from Mississauga, came next and got four “No’s.” Christopher Magas, a singer-musician from East St. Paul, MB., got X’ed out of the competition by both Kardi and Howie Mandel.

Standards were raised by the next competitor, Katherine Lynn-Rose. The singer-composer from Burlington, ON., got off on the right foot by wearing a white pantsuit similar to Lilly’s. She sang an original composition entitled, “Top of My School.”  Her parents were in the audience, adding to the pressure. She ended with a big note and an even bigger ovation from the crowd.

“I feel for the first time I have an anthem,” said Singh, who saw the singer as Broadway bound. Singh had never heard a song which, with lyrics such as “Don’t flop, ‘cause Harvard’s no fool…” addresses parental expectations. Mandel was equally taken, praising her song writing. “You are a superstar young lady.” Surprisingly, the one “No” vote came from the singer among the judges, Offishall. Still, three votes were enough to send Lynn-Rose on to the next round.

Next to roll onto the stage was nine-year-old Reese Nelson, an extreme sports skateboarder from Calgary who now trains in California. Mentoring her is none other than skateboarding superstar Tony Hawk. With no half pipe in Niagara Falls, a video clip was shown of Nelson in action. All four judges voted yes. Howie had Hawk on speed dial. “She’s the future of skating, for real,” said Hawk, dialed up right after the skating video was played.

Syd Bosel, from Comox, BC., stayed well within the rules as she performed a well-received stand-up comedy set. “This is my first time doing stand-up commando,” said the mother of two grown children, getting a big laugh right away. She also took a shot at one of her kids, saying he was “as deep as a cereal bowl.” That made Lilly laugh. “It was nice to hear a parent just roast their kids,” she said. All four judges voted yes, especially after hearing that Bosel’s husband, who was in the audience, had recently been diagnosed with Dementia. “We’re working hard now to do fun things,” Bosel explained. “That’s fine,” said Kardi, “but next time wear underpants.”

Syd was followed by The Sigmaz, a dance act from Scarborough, ON. Dressed like paper boys from the thirties, their high energy impressed all four judges. A group of individuals from Mississauga who call themselves Voices Rock Prime went next, singing “I’m a Believer” from The Monkees. They earned polite applause. A guy who looked like Santa Claus, Kevin Fast from Coburg, ON., went next. The 59-year-old is a full-time Lutheran minister. “God has given me a gift and I’m going to show it to you today,” he declared. He then lashed a rope around his waist and pulled a bleacher section loaded with 8,000 lbs of choir singers thirty feet across the state while they sang “Hallelujah.” Howie congratulated him for pulling people back to church. Lilly expected more but three yeses will pull Pastor Fast through to the next round.

Other singers followed, but the one who impressed the most, with his voice and his story, was Raymond Salgado from Vancouver Island. He revealed that he was previously a contestant on American Idol, but that he wasn’t in a confident place at that time. He stepped up this time, singing a strong rendition of Bryan Adams’ hit “We’re in Heaven.”

“The best I’ve heard,” said Howie, always looking for the next big make singer. Salgado earned wows as well from the rest of the judges.

Catch new episodes of Canada’s Got Talent on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Citytv and Citytv+.

NEXT WEEK: Keep it on Citytv for pole dancing, gymnastics, a one-armed drummer, and ballroom dancing.