‘America’s Got Talent’: Pittsburgh twins a hit
This was not a case of being over-caffeinated or even having too much adrenalin. The twins from Murrysville were just being “Mirror Image.”
When Colton and Trent Edwards took the stage at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium a few months back to audition for NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” it was clear this would be a highenergy performance. That was more than apparent when the segment aired on Tuesday.
“We’re really crazy when we’re nervous,” said Trent, during an interview later in the week. “It’s exciting, but a little daunting.”
He and Colton, both 16 and rising juniors at Franklin Regional High School, billed themselves as Mirror Image. They sang, they danced, they joked a bit, and they really put themselves out there.
“Oh, God, I hope you guys are good; I love them already,” said “AGT” judge Heidi Klum, seconds before the music began.
Colton began singing Smokey Robinson’s “Who’s Lovin’ You,” and the crowd, as they say, went wild. Trent chimed in. They pivoted to a joyously bouncy dance number that included double cartwheels and a remix of “Misirlou.”
When it was over, two other judges— Howie Mandel and Mel B — joined Ms. Klum in a standing ovation. The fourth, Simon Cowell, appeared skeptical.
“It was kind of weird because when we were singing, Simon was smiling, and during the dance he was still kind of smiling. And at the end, something happened and he got all weird on us,” Colton said. “But he’s super-nice, actually; I talked to him afterward.”
“Guys, as much as I like you, I’m going to have to say ‘no,’” Mr. Cowell said, the crowd booing him.
“They are so much fun, how could you not get that buzz?” asked Mel B.
Nonetheless, Mirror Image earned the three votes to qualify for the next round. Their next appearance has yet to be announced; “America’s Got Talent” airs at 8 p.m. Tuesdays.
They long wanted to try out for the show, so as a birthday gift, their parents, Gia and Kevin Edwards, took them to Cleveland for the show’s open
casting call.
Their mother said the boys practically have been singing before they could talk. They’ve long been involved in musical theater, at the Apple Hill Playhouse in Delmont, and in school productions. Some clever directors have made use of their twin-ness, having them play the same character impossibly transported to other parts of the stage.
They work with voice coach Jerome Kirkland and have taken instruction with Appolonia Leake, who has a dance studio in Penn Hills.
The twins indicated they are interested in all aspects of entertainment, on stage and in areas such as directing or producing. “Right now, let’s see where the wind takes us,” Colton said.
If college seems the best option a couple of years from now, chances are, they’ll work together on that, as well. Because, well, they’re twins.
“We like the same things, so we’ll probably like the same colleges,” Trent said.
Also on reality TV
• With 17 Chef’testants left on Fox’s “MasterChef” (Wednesdays, 8 p.m.), Peters Township and Carnegie Mellon University grad Caitlin Jones and the others had to bone up on an especially tough skills test.
Using a terrifyingly sharp knife, each had to french a rack of lamb: cut off much of the fat, and free and clean the bones. Ms. Jones and five others didn’t ace the test, so the next challenge was recreating Gordon Ramsay’s lamb chop dish. This one, she passed with flying colors.
“Continue like this, you’re going to be more than a threat,” Mr. Ramsay said of the New York-based dancer.
Some of the more downhome chefs on “MasterChef” can come off as corn-pone grating, but you have to love Texan Reba Billingsley, who admitted to Mr. Ramsay she’d never eaten lamb before. But she had de-boned yummy squirrel.
“But they’re vermin!” he said, to which she replied, not looking up from the lamb, “I don’t care, they’re good.”
• “RuPaul’s Drag Race” scored seven Emmy nominations Thursday, including best reality competition show and host, none other than Mama Ru herself, RuPaul Charles. In addition, “Untucked” was nominated for unstructured reality program.
• Despite hosting a number of shows on HGTV and the impending publication of a memoir, it appears it is possible to get more of twins Jonathan and Drew Scott.
The “Property Brothers” will be hosting an evening of tips, talk, impromptu design challenge and behind-thescenes video when they bring “The Scott Brothers House Party” to the Byham Theater, Downtown, on Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m.
The siblings also are involved in shows such as “Property Brothers: Buying & Selling,” “Brother vs. Brother” and “Property Brothers at Home.” Their book, “It Takes Two: Our Story,” goes on sale Sept. 5.
• ABC’s “Bachelor in Paradise” has set a new return date (Aug. 14, 8 p.m.) after having suspended production earlier this summer amid reports of misconduct between two of the participants. Bonus: Fans will get coverage of the wedding between last season’s “lovebirds,” Carly Waddell and Evan Bass.
• The “Bridezillas” are back. (Everybody, run!)
In this day and age of formal engagement videos and personalized wedding hashtags (# NewlywedsOnTheBlock), it’s going to take a lot to go one step further than the original show. Can it even be done?
We are going to find out. WE tv promises 10 new episodes next year. The original series ran for 10 seasons, ending in 2013. Each of the new hourlong installments will feature two “hilariously unhinged” brides.