Former ‘AGT’ Contestant Marcus Terell Gets a Second Chance in Season 17
Photo by: Trae Patton/NBC Reading Time: 2 minutes
A former America’s Got Talent contestant named Marcus Terell is getting a second chance in Season 17. Marcus first competed on the show in 2009, reaching the Quarterfinals of Season 4. Now he’s returning more than a decade later.
Marcus Terell First Auditioned for AGT in Season 4
Marcus is originally from Kansas City, Missouri. He auditioned for Season 3 of American Idol under the name Marcus Butts. The singer dressed as Elvis Presley and sang “Heartbreak Hotel,” earning three “yes” votes from the judges. He didn’t make it past Hollywood Week.
Years later, Marcus auditioned for America’s Got Talent Season 4 with a group of three backup singers called The Serenades. They showed off a classic style of performing, singing “Hit the Road Jack” in their first audition. The judges sent them through, although they felt that the backup singers weren’t as strong as Marcus.
In the Vegas Round, the judges planned to send the group home, once again saying that The Serenades brought the act down compared to Marcus. In an emotional moment, the backup singers offered to let Marcus compete without them, and the judges changed their minds about the elimination.
Marcus returned with a new group of backup singers in the Quarterfinals, singing “Mercy” by Duffy. Although the judges praised the new group, they didn’t make it into the Semifinals and were sent home. But now Marcus is returning for another chance at the $1 million prize.
SEE ALSO: 5 ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’ CONTESTANTS WHO TRAGICALLY PASSED AWAY
Marcus Is Auditioning for the Show Again
Thirteen years after he first competed on America’s Got Talent, Marcus is returning to audition for Season 17 with a new group of backup singers. Marcus announced his upcoming appearance on Instagram last month.
“Because a true diva loves an encore, I’ll be returning to your television screens May 31st on the season premiere of AMERICA’S GOT TALENT!” he wrote in one post. Later, he added, “Equal parts excited and terrified to see how this all turns out!”
Since his first time on the show, Marcus has performed on cruise ships and in Las Vegas in the Naked Boys Singing! show. He’s also released several singles in recent years, including “S.L.U.T.,” “Lit,” and “Edge.” Marcus previously released an EP called Get Up! in 2017.
Tune into AGT on Tuesday night to see what this season’s panel of judges will think of Marcus Terell.
