PINOY SQUAD IN SEMIS OF US SHOW
The heels are alive.
Junior New System, armed with its signature heels, is headed to the semifinals of “America’s Got Talent” (“AGT”)—barely staying alive during the quarterfinal round.
“AGT” went live for the first time this season for the quarterfinals with 12 acts, including the Filipino dance group Junior New System. The members of the group met in the squatters’ area of Manila, danced together, and successfully landed a stop in the maiden season of “Asia’s Got Talent.” The group ended up fifth during the 2015 finale.
Now, the members are in America. They are working blue-collar jobs to support their dream of dancing in a much-bigger stage—“AGT.”
The group started its quarterfinal performance dancing as football players to the tune of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Can’t Hold Us.” Mid-way, the dancers donned their glittery heels and danced to the tune of “BO$$” by Fifth Harmony.
The judges were impressed— well, save for Howie Mandel, who thought the boys should have just danced in heels.
“You are known as the guys who dance in heels,” said Mandel.
Mel B. had the opposite reaction. The moment host Tyra Banks introduced the group, the Spice Girl was already screaming in her seat.
“Wow. Everything about you guys—where you came from, where you are now...” Mel B. said after the performance. “You do your own choreography. You all met in the slums of the Philippines, right? And you are united. And you are together. And you are showing us some moves.”
“Heel yes!” yelled judge Heidi Klum. “I love watching you, guys.”
But it was Simon Cowell, known as the grumpy judge from the original “American Idol,” who gave the best critique: “It’s not just the heels. It’s the determination. It’s the passion. It’s the personality. It’s the wanting to win that makes watching you guys so exciting. I think this is gonna be the most talked-about act so far.”
However, during the elimination night, Cowell had a change of heart. He said that Junior New System’s performance may not have been the group’s best.
During the elimination night, Junior New System was hanging by a hair.
Only five groups advanced based on public votes: singers Amanda Mena and Courtney Hadwin, band We Three, closeup magician Shin Lim and standup comedienne Vicki Barbolak.
“AGT” then activated the “Google’s Instant Save” to send one act to safety, which went to the choir Angel City Chorale.
The eliminated acts were comedy entertainers Human Fountains, dance group The PAC Dance Team, escape artist Lord Nil and teenage rapper Flau’jae.
The show ended with a tossup between Junior New System and diabolo artist Mochi. They could be saved by the judges. However, despite Mel B. raving about how good Junior New System was, her vote went to Mochi. Mandel obviously voted against the Pinoy dance group.
“I just thought you made a mistake by not starting with the heels,” said Mandel.
Klum said she was going with her gut and voted for Junior New System, while Cowell took his time in deciding, prompting a reprimand from Banks. Eventually, he said he favored the dance group.
Since it was a tie, Banks had to revisit the result of the public vote. Luckily, Junior New System received more votes than Mochi. There are 24 more acts who are set to perform in the quarterfinal round.
The first week of the semifinal round will be on the first week of September.
“AGT” is aired on AXN in the Philippines, two days after its American airing.