'AGT' Season 19: Simon Cowell claims Japanese dance group Sabrina has a 'real shot at winning' the NBC show
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: 'America's Got Talent' has released an early audition from Week 2's new episode of Season 19. It features a performance by Sabrina, an all-female dance group from Japan that astonished the judges, earning a standing ovation and nearly being named the winner by one of them.
Sabrina's members began their performance wearing similar green skirts and red streaks in their hair. They performed some stunning dance movements, showcasing their remarkable synchronization and agility.
Partway through the performance, the music switched to a dramatic violin piece, and the dancers added red cloth to their routine to complement the intensity of the music. By the end, all of their skirts had transformed from green to crimson.
Simon Cowell described the ensemble as "like a machine," realizing how much time they must have spent practicing for the performance. He informed Sabrina that they had "a real shot at winning after that." Simon confessed that he "knows nothing about dance." However, Simon recognized their uniqueness and the evident hard work.
Japanese dance group Sabrina receives standing ovation from 'AGT' Season 19 judges
The judges and audience were impressed, giving the entire group a standing ovation. Howie Mandel echoed Simon's sentiments, stating that he agreed with him.
"You were able to stay in sync at such an amazing speed, and then you add the agility to that," added Howie. "You guys are bending over and back so fast. I’ve never seen that kind of movement. It was original. You are so worthy of being on Season 19."
Sofía Vergara described herself as "speechless." "It was so exciting. The choreography, the music was so dramatic." She prophesied that people would love them.
Heidi Klum praised the group's outfit change and named them her "favorite act so far of the day." They received four "yes" votes from the judges, advancing in the competition.
Who is Sabrina in 'AGT' Season 19?
Sabrina Dance Crew is a formidable force, with an exceptional lineup. Muto Seijun, the team's director, leads with precision, while Muto Seijun and Ishizaka Yoichiro, the choreographers, inject their creative talent into every step.
Yoichiro Ishizaka, Seira Shibata, Yura Sakuma, Nagi Horie, Mea Sakuma, Aoi Suzuki, Nanami Furukawa, Akari Nakayama, Wakana Morooka, Chinari Ito, Mimi Nishio, Shiho Terakura, Kei Mizutani, Yuna Takasu, Kanna Iwata, Ayana Idota, Yuka Fushimi, Ruka Teranishi, Mizuki Watanabe, and Mikua Mori each bring their own set of skills to the crew.
What happened to Avantgardey in 'AGT' Season 18?
Avantgardey is a 20-person, all-female Japanese dance troupe directed by renowned producer and choreographer Akane. The duo, noted for their synchronized dancing skills and humorous expressions, gained international recognition after performing alongside renowned DJ Steve Aoki at one of his gigs in January 2023.
Since then, their popularity has skyrocketed, with over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and Instagram. Their goal for participating in 'AGT' is to share their Japanese spirit with the rest of the world while also securing their own Las Vegas show.
They reached the finals of the inaugural season of 'Japan's Got Talent'. Additionally, they competed in the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Japanese dance competition, The Dance Day, reaching the finals on both occasions.
Avantgardey was a dancing group featured on Season 18 of 'AGT'. They secured a spot in the top five during their Semifinal week but advanced to the Finals as the Wild Card. Unfortunately, they finished in the bottom six of the Top 11 during the Finals.
After placing among the top 5 in their Semifinal week, Avantgardey became the first act to win through the Wild Card system since its modification.
Sabrina's audition, along with many others, will air on NBC's 'America's Got Talent' Season 19 on June 4 at 8/7c.
