'AGT': Howie Mandel Jokes He Was 'Moved by So Many Strange Hands' Before Hitting His Golden Buzzer (Exclusive)

Murmuration.Photo:Casey Durkin/NBC

Casey Durkin/NBC

Warning: this story contains spoilers from Tuesday’s episode ofAmerica’s Got Talent.

Howie Mandelmay not enjoy touching other people’s hands — but he certainly has no problem watching them!

During Tuesday’s episode ofAmerica’s Got Talent, Howie pressed his Golden Buzzer for Murmuration, a 64-person dance group hailing from France.

Murmuration.Casey Durkin/NBC

Prior to the Golden Buzzer moment, viewers were introduced to Murmuration and its temporary leader Jibril Maillot.

In their intro package, Jibril explained that the group’s creator, leader and choreographer Sadeck Berrabah fell ill prior to the audition and was unable to travel, so he asked his best friend Jibril to take his place.

Jibril was up for the task and accompanied the mega-troupe, all clad in black turtlenecks and pants, onto theAGTstage before they mesmerized the crowd and judges with their blindfolded performance.

“Wow, you guys were so amazingly in sync even though you couldn’t see anything,” judgeHeidi Klumsaid. “It was so elegant, with so much grace. I thought it was fantastic.”

Fellow judgeSofía Vergarapointed out that the performance reminded her of last season’s winner.

“That kind of synchronization is amazing to me, it’s spectacular … [it] reminds me ofmy Golden Buzzer last year,The Mayyas— but you guys have your own style, and I thought it was magnificent,” she said.

“Even sitting here, you wanna do something, you just want to do something,” he continued, before standing up and pressing his buzzer.

The judges of ‘AGT’.Casey Durkin/NBC

Jibril admits he did not expect to earn one of the coveted buzzers.

“It’s really weird but suddenly, in my head, time really stopped,” Jibril adds of watching Howie press the buzzer. “I was in shock, I couldn’t think, I couldn’t speak or even move. We obviously had the Golden Buzzer in mind, but the No. 1 objective was to make Sadeck and our loved ones proud.”

Sadeck was equally thrilled, telling PEOPLE, “I was so happy for all those who worked on this project, to know that I managed to convey my message and my emotions through this murmuration concept. And that it was received with a Golden Buzzer, it’s magic.”

Jibril with Murmuration.Casey Durkin/NBC

Though it was difficult not having Sadeck with the group, Jibril says his absence provided an extra sense of purpose when they took the stage. “I had this weight on my shoulders, I wanted the 64 dancers on stage to have fun and enjoy the present moment above all, but on the other side, we worked a lot to represent his project, and to make him proud, so … the motivation was much greater.”

“It’s a concept of precision work discipline, it’s hours and days and weeks to achieve a perfect result,” he adds. “It’s a concept that brings people together [and] I want to share it with as many people as possible and of course, touch the hearts of Americans.”

As they look ahead in the competition, Jibril and Sadeck are both excited to take Murmuration to the next level.

“I’m most excited to introduce our project to the United States, and also to be able to compete against the greatest talent in the world,” Jibril says.

Adds Sadeck, “I’m most excited to see the Murmuration concept grow and take its place on [one of] the most beautiful American stages.”

Murmuration is the latest act to earn a Golden Buzzer on season 18 ofAGT.

Last week, Atlanta Drum Academy earned hostTerry Crews' Golden Buzzer. Prior to that, blind singerPutri ArianiearnedSimon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer andMzansi Youth Choir, a group of singers from South Africa, earned the show’s first-ever Audience Golden Buzzer after performing a touching tribute to lateAGTseason 16 singerNightbirde.

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America’s Got Talentairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com