America’s Got Talent: Adelaide’s Hans makes it through to live finals in Hollywood
ADELAIDE cabaret superstar Hans has become the first Australian to make it through to the live finals of America’s Got Talent in Hollywood. SEE HIS LATEST AUDITION
- WATCH: Hans competes in Round One of America’s Got Talent
- In his own words: How Hans conquered AGT
- Meet Hans: Adelaide’s international superstar
ADELAIDE cabaret superstar Hans has become the first Australian to make it through to the live finals of America’s Got Talent in Hollywood, bringing him one step closer to the $1 million first prize.
The Fringe favourite — aka Adelaide Confidential’s Matt Gilbertson — won the hearts of all the show’s judges, including international talent scout Simon Cowell, supermodel Heidi Klum and Scary Spice Mel B, with his performance of It’s Raining Men alongside his Adelaide dance duo The Lucky Bitches.
As he took to the stage, Hans left Cowell gobsmacked and then brought the house down when he put a twist on Julia Roberts’ famous line to Hugh Grant from the film Notting Hill.
“Simon, I am just a little German boy, standing in front of a music mogul, asking him to love me,” he said.
“You better prepare yourself Simon.
“You are going to see something you’ve never seen before.”
“Can we just make this happen Hans,” replied Simon impatiently, before Hans took the show away with an impressive opening to It’s Raining Men on a grand piano.
He leapt to his feet shouting “Amercia are you ready to be entertained?” as the crowd roared its appreciation.
Then behind his dancing girls’ twirling umbrellas he whipped off his sequined trousers to reveal hotpants and suspendered stockings, then took up his accordion.
Ending in his signature splits move, Hans’ performance was more than enough for him to get through to the live finals, where the public votes on who goes through to the next stage.
Klum delivered the good news to Hans in their native German, telling him: “Hans, I can only tell you that we all think you are someone really, really special. And that’s why I can tell you that you are moving on to the live show!”
An emotional Hans is then shown telling his mother over the phone: “Ma, get your sewing machine ready, we’re going to the live shows.”
Currently touring in London, wunderkind Hans will also perform at the Edinburgh Fringe from August 2-19 as part of Arts South Australia’s Made in Adelaide program.
Speaking from the UK, he told The Advertiser he can’t wait to take to the AGT stage again.
“I’m obviously thrilled and excited to be going through to the live shows at the Dolby Theatre, but now the real work begins and I am planning the most spectacular show on earth!” he said.
“There will be glitter, dancing, fire, laughs, tears, drama … it will make Eurovision look tame! I promise.”
The top-rating TV juggernaut’s live finals will be held next month at LA’s Dolby Theatre in Hollywood — the same venue which annually hosts the Academy Awards.
One of about 30,000 performers who applied to compete for the $1 million first prize and a headline show in Las Vegas, Hans is now among just 36 acts left in the competition.
“You know, I think America, and really the whole world, is in desperate need of some escapism at the moment and I’m the showboy to give it to them,” he said.
“There are so many talented acts from all different varieties. There’s singers, dance groups, magicians, trick dogs … but honey, there’s only one Hans … thank God!”
Now into its 13th season, AGT regularly draws more than 12 million viewers a week in the US and even more in the UK and Asia.
Hans said he already has a plan should he take out the talent show and win the cash prize.
“I’ll put accordions in every school in the world. It will have parents BEGGING for the recorder to make a comeback!” he said.
