Legion, who captivated the audience and judges with their fiery performance, received mixed reviews. Simon Cowell praised the act, calling it “epic” and expressing his excitement about seeing such a unique performance on the AGT stage. “This is something I can genuinely see in Vegas. I can see this all over the world,” Cowell said, emphasizing the group’s potential and preparation.

Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum also voiced their admiration, with Klum noting, “Many dancers have danced on this stage, but their feet were never on fire. It really was a treat.”

Despite the positive feedback, Vergara initially pretended to be unimpressed, telling the group, “I’m South American. I’ve seen this dance many times.” This statement drew boos from the audience, but Vergara quickly changed her tone, acknowledging the troupe’s spectacular performance before hitting the Golden Buzzer.

Manganiello, however, was less convinced by the spectacle. “Sofia is too easily persuaded by performances that don’t stand out,” he remarked. “The act was good, but not Golden Buzzer worthy. It seemed more like a standard performance rather than something groundbreaking.”

Vergara, who joined the troupe on stage after awarding the buzzer, defended her decision by highlighting the transformative potential of the show. “This is exactly what we’re here for. This is exactly AGT. It might change these guys’ lives and I love to be part of it,” she said.

As Legion moves forward in the competition, viewers are left to wonder if they will live up to the expectations set by the Golden Buzzer or if Manganiello’s critique will prove accurate.

America’s Got Talent airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and streams the next day on Peacock.