America’s Got Talentis officially back for its final week of auditions for Season 21. Among the auditioning acts is 18 year old contortionist Maria. After overcoming paralysis, she is now an incredible contortionist.
18 Year Old Impresses Judges With Contortion Act
Maria took the stage confidently, without giving away what her act initially is. She explained that she is hoping to become a physical therapist so she can help people.
“When I was 10 years old I was very sick, I was in a wheelchair for two years because I was paralyzed,” she said. “But, in this difficult time, I watched AGT and I saw so many people here on the stage and I was inspired and I wanted to be like them.”
From there, Maria prepared for her act by giving the microphone back to a producer. Judges couldn’t imagine what she was about to do next. After explaining that she was once paralyzed, Maria went on to perform an incredible contortion act.
The act featured Maria doing a variety of different contortion poses, such as her bending all the way backwards and putting her head between her legs, putting her legs high above her body, and more. She even finished her act off by putting herself into a box, literally!
Judges Are Shocked by This Performance
Immediately after the performance, it was clear that the judges wished they had another Golden Buzzer to give out. They were completely shocked by her performance, and went on to explain that Maria’s performance was so amazing because it was entirely unexpected.
“So you were paralyzed for 2 years and you realized you could do this?” Mel B said.
Maria then explained that she had inflammation in her spine, but when it went away she was more flexible. Howie Mandel continued the shock factor, explaining that her act was like nothing they’ve ever seen before.
“That was actually brilliant, from your story, to your confidence, and I always think with an act like this ‘where’s it going to end?'” Simon Cowell said. “And then you put yourself in a box, that’s a cool ending.”
All four judges then voted yes for Maria, sending her to the next round of the competition. Be sure to not miss a minute of this year’s competition by tuning into America’s Got Talent on NBC on Tuesday nights at 8PM ET.
Words by:
Corey Cesare Corey Cesare is Talent Recap's Managing Editor and featured YouTube Host. She has a love of all things pop culture and an unhealthy obsession with celebrities. Corey earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Cinema/Screen Studies from the State University of New York at Oswego in 2021. She spends her spare time shooting astro, nature, and portrait photography, and coming up with movie ideas that she hopes to make into a film someday.
