America’s Got Talent Season 20 featured a rare and hilarious moment when married comedians Matt O’Brien and Julia Hladkowicz auditioned separately, competing against each other for a spot in the live shows. The couple, both stand-up comics from Canada, delivered back-to-back performances that had judges and audiences laughing. While both received four “yes” votes, neither advanced to the next round.
Husband and Wife Comedians Surprise AGT Judges
During the ninth audition episode aired on August 5, 2025, Matt O’Brien took the stage first, joking about married life versus being single. His set impressed all four judges, with Howie Mandel praising him, saying:
“You are really, really good. You deserve to be here. You’re the kind of comedian that could go really far in this, so I want to be the first one to give you a yes.”
Right after Matt’s successful audition, Julia Hladkowicz stepped up, revealing she was his wife. The audience erupted in laughter when Howie Mandel asked if she knew the previous act, and she replied:
“Yeah, I know Matt a bit because he’s my husband.”
Matt then rushed back onstage to kiss her before her performance, adding to the fun moment.
Julia’s Stand-Up Set Roasts Her Husband’s Snoring
Julia’s comedy routine included jokes about marriage, particularly targeting Matt’s snoring habits. She quipped:
“Men snoring is the patriarchy. You’re already asleep. You already won. Why do you have to add a soundtrack to it?”
Her sharp wit and relatable humor earned her a standing ovation. Simon Cowell tried to stir up rivalry by suggesting one of them might secretly want to be the only one to advance, but Julia shut it down:
“No, absolutely not. Simon, in what world would I want my husband not to get yeses?”
Sofia Vergara even joked that Julia might be funnier than Matt, to which Julia responded:
“Okay, we’re getting a divorce, Simon, is that what you wanted?”
Why They Auditioned Separately Instead of as a Duo
Unlike many married acts on AGT, Matt and Julia chose to perform individually. They explained that they have always been separate comedians, occasionally co-hosting shows but maintaining distinct careers. Matt told NBC Insider:
“We’ve never been a duo act. Sometimes clubs book us together to save on hotel rooms, but we’re two separate performers.”
Julia added that they never planned to compete against each other but simply pursued the same opportunity. She admitted she almost didn’t audition until a last-minute invitation convinced her to try.
Their Love Story Began in Comedy Clubs
The couple met in 2010 at Toronto’s Comedy Bar, where they initially hesitated to date due to an unwritten rule among comedians about not dating within the industry. Matt recalled:
“I thought she was an absolute babe, but we comedians avoid dating each other. After hanging out, we realized we had so much in common and decided to give it a go.”
They married twice—first in a small ceremony in Ottawa (2016) and later at Las Vegas’ Graceland Chapel with an Elvis impersonator officiating. They now live in Los Angeles with their chihuahua, Shangela.
Neither Made It to AGT’s Live Shows
Despite their strong performances, neither Matt nor Julia was among the 44 acts selected for the live rounds. The judges enjoyed their sets, but the competition was fierce, with Golden Buzzer winners and other standout acts moving forward.
Also Read: Indian Dance Group Unreal Wins Howie Mandel’s Final Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent Season 20
Credits: NBC Insider, TV Insider
