The Top 40 in review: #20 Manuela Horn

It is no secret that the judges were completely irresponsible with their picks for the Top 40 this year. Not only were the choices themselves unprofessional, but their decision to pass through all but one act without a second performance may have sabotaged the chances of some of their picks as well.

For no act is this more true than Manuela Horn. Horn is a comedienne, and like the average cast member of Saturday Night Live, her personas are many. Because Horn was included in the Top 40 straight out of the open calls, however, America only knows her by one: the yodeling dominatrix. Because of this, Horn’s presence in the Top 40 is considered an insult, and there is very little she can do to convince America otherwise.

To change her character at this moment would be somewhat akin to when Luigi Padilla changed from Boy Shakira to Boy Brittany – too little too late. To remain as the yodeling dominatrix, however, would be to absolutely murder her chances, both of making it through the next round and of ever having a stable career following AGT afterwards.

Horn’s best bet is to work in reverse: instead of setting aside what she believes is her million dollar winning act for the finale, she should use it as soon as possible. If it truly is that good, it might be just enough to help her qualify for the first of the judges’ 5th-6th place picks.

If America or the judges pass Horn into the Top 20 (it could happen: The Tapping Dads and the ZOOperstars made it last year), that will give her the opportunity to introduce a third character.

Chances are it will not be enough to push her any further than the Top 20, but with at least three of her characters revealed, she won’t be remembered solely as the yodeling dominatrix and could potentially find an outlet for her many characters after AGT. For Horn, the million dollar prize is completely out of reach, but if she plays her cards right, she may be able to earn a million in the long run afterwards.