Adelaide cabaret star Hans performs in live finals of America’s Got Talent
AFTER a third showstopping performance on America’s Got Talent, Adelaide cabaret sensation Hans will find out if he gets through to the semi-finals this morning.
- THE MAN BEHIND HANS: His childhood, music and inspiration
- IN HIS OWN WORDS: How Hans conquered America’s Got Talent
- ROUND ONE: Watch Hans’ first AGT performance
- ROUND TWO: Hans nails second performance on US TV
- HANS’ HOME: Take a look inside the cabaret star’s pad
REGARDLESS of whether he makes it through to the next stage of America’s Got Talent, Adelaide cabaret sensation Hans has realised a childhood dream.
The Fringe favourite — aka Adelaide Confidential’s Matt Gilbertson — will find out his fate this morning, after dazzling millions of Americans, including international talent scout Simon Cowell, during Wednesday’s live quarter-final show in Hollywood.
But after performing Spice Up Your Life in front of judge, Spice Girl Mel B, Hans feels like a winner already.
“I sang a Spice Girls song for a real life Spice Girl. Whatever happens after this, I’m totally cool,” he told The Advertiser from LA.
“I got to work at the iconic Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars, with JLO’s choreographer, some of Janet Jackson’s dancers, they gave me Liberace’s actual piano … it was fabulous.
“With the world in the state it’s in at the moment, we need something to put a smile back on everyone’s face.”
Hans’ special rendition of the chart-topping hit song won applause from the whole judging panel, especially Mel B.
“Hands down for the song choice … you killed it!” she said.
Notoriously tough judge Simon Cowell also declared that he “loved” Hans’ performance.
“Amazingly, it was like watching a horror movie — I shouldn’t enjoy it, but I do,” he said.
Promising to “make America glitter again”, Hans began his showstopping display by descending to the stage from high above in a chairlift, quickly launching into an energetic version of the Spice Girls’ classic.
There were eight back-up dancers but Hans — in a sequined jumpsuit and cape — was the star of the show, showing off his many talents with a tap dancing routine, while he also played Liberace’s old piano and later, completed an eye-watering attempt at the splits.
Another judge, Howie Mandel, had no hesitation in describing Hans’ performance as his favourite of the night.
The American public will now decide Hans’ fate — if he doesn’t secure enough votes, he’ll be eliminated from the competition.
The feedback in the US has already been positive, with thousands of viewers taking to social media to praise Hans.
The German wunderkind was one of 36 acts chosen to perform at the live shows in Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre — the venue which hosts the Academy Awards.
More than 30,000 performers applied to compete for the top-rating show’s main prize — a cool $1 million in cash and a headline show in Las Vegas.