'AGT' Country Duo Trailer Flowers Say They 'Don't Live for Anyone's Criticism' After Howie's Sneaky X Buzzer (Exclusive)

Mar. 16, 2025

Trailer Flowers on “America’s Got Talent”.Photo:Trae Patton/NBC

Trailer Flowers

Trae Patton/NBC

Trailer Flowersare singing their hearts out, no matter what their critics think.

During Tuesday’sAmerica’s Got Talentlive show,Howie Mandelsneakily pressed fellow judgeHeidi Klum’s red “X” buzzer as the country duo performed their original song, “Who You Are,” on stage.

Despite Heidi calling him out andcameras actually catching himdo the deed, the 67-year-old judge insisted he “would not press my buzzer in the semifinals.”

Simon Cowellalso addressed the matter, offering an apology to the Nashville singers. “First of all, I don’t think the producers should have done what they just did, because we don’t have a lot of time to talk and actually give you something constructive,” he said of the producers replaying the moment on screen. “So I apologize.”

“We don’t live for anyone’s criticism, and so I honestly had open hands about whatever the judges may have to say,” Brooke tells PEOPLE. “We respect anyone’s opinion, and it’s okay if we’re not for everybody. So we’re excited to spread country music and to keep doing our thing.”

Jack echoed her partner’s words, sharing, “We don’t live for anybody else’s validation other than Jesus Christ.”

Trailer Flowers perform on “America’s Got Talent”.Trae Patton/NBC

Trailer Flowers

Though he insisted he didn’t press Heidi’s buzzer during the live episode, Howie appeared to have a change of heart backstage, telling PEOPLE of the moment: “I think sharing is caring.”

“Sometimes I have to do her work for her,” he jokes ofhis fellow judge. “But I don’t know why she did that or why she had me do it.”

Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum on “America’s Got Talent”.Trae Patton/NBC

Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum

Despite the night’s antics, Trailer Flowers ultimately feels “really grateful” to have performed on theAmerica’s Got Talentstage and hope anyone who “needed to hear” their song on Tuesday “felt the lyrics.”

“We also believe that anything that’s destined and made for you cannot be taken away from you,” Jack tells PEOPLE. “So I know that we are meant to be up there tonight.”

“We hope that it was just one big hug that everybody felt,” she adds of their performance.

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Fans will find out if Trailer Flowers is one of two viewer-voted contestants to move onto the season 18 finale when theAmerica’s Got Talentresults show airs Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com