The judges were still having difficulty narrowing down this year’s 138 successful auditioners to the oversized 55 acts — compared to previous seasons’ 36 — that will compete for a Las Vegas residency and $1 million prize as the America’s Got Talent Season 17 auditions came to a cliffhanger-filled end on Tuesday. The remaining 55th position will be awarded to one of four wildcards that are presently up for public vote on the show’s official website and social media channels. The other 54 competitors were revealed later in the evening (scroll for the complete list).
Surprisingly, however, despite her wicked pledge to cheeky judge Simon Cowell, octogenarian exotic dancer Penny Starr Sr., one of the standouts from this season’s final crop of hopefuls, did not place in the top 55.
In any case, Penny, who proudly calls herself “America’s oldest burlesque dancer” at the age of 88, is unquestionably a national treasure. Following red, white, and blue boa feathers, the silver fox, who has been dancing for her “entire life” and is already accustomed to Vegas stages from her yearly appearances at Sin City’s Exotic World convention, slithered onto the AGT stage Tuesday and declared: “I want to give America a real show, a get-up-and-go show!” Then, to the energetic melody of “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” the boisterous grand lady began to lose those feathers and a few other lace outfits.
The judges were thrilled. Heidi Klum, a former model for Victoria’s Secret and a master at performing in lingerie, shouted enthusiastically as Penny’s act ended with a burst of patriotic confetti. “I want to be you when I grow up!” said fellow vixen Sofia Vergara, who gave Penny a standing ovation. The most impressed, though, appeared to be Simon, who even appeared to be flirting with Penny.
As though offering himself for the job, Simon first asked the sassy senior citizen, who has been married six times, whether she was seeking for a new husband. (Her assertive response: “Yeah, but breaking them in takes time!”) Then he posed the audacious query that would, allegedly, decide her AGT destiny.
“Would more clothes come off if you went forward?” Simon asked.
“Oh, absolutely, yes!” With excitement, Penny shook her tailfeathers in response.
Judge Howie Mandel then unexpectedly exclaimed, “I want to see more!” as Penny got four yeses.
Unfortunately, Penny’s triumph was fleeting, so we won’t be seeing her again, at least not on AGT. She didn’t make this season’s top 55 shortlist, NBC stated in a press release shortly after her audition. However, Simon’s production business, Syco TV, should really work on Penny’s biopic as her life story is actually more amazing than the majority of the bizarre content that airs on America’s Got Talent.
This mother of two and former department store model, Janet Gaynor Colby, was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and began her career in show business in 1957 by really joining the circus and performing a risky dance routine with a live elephant. She later secured a regular position at Guys & Dolls, a burlesque club in Florida. In 1963, she was crowned Miss Bump-and-Grind at Atlantic City’s Cotton Club, using her stage moniker from the iconic film musicals Pennies From Heaven and A Star Is Born. And a real star was created.
Additionally, Penny has preserved the burlesque art form for her granddaughter, Augusta Avallone, also known as Penny Starr Jr., who is 52 years old and a member of the Burlesque Hall of Fame. If the older Starr continues to grind, she and Penny Jr. could be able to try out for AGT together next year. The Starr ladies have even performed together in the past. Simon probably wouldn’t mind that at all.
Meanwhile, the four wildcards listed above—swordswallower Auzzy Blood, stand-up comedian Jordan Conley, and singers Ben Waites and Debbii Dawson—are competing for a position in Season 17’s live qualifying rounds. When the live performances start next Tuesday, we’ll learn which of those performers will join the six Golden Buzzer contestants this season (saxophonist Avery Dixon; singers Madison Taylor Baez, Sara James, and Lily Meola; Lebanese dance group Mayyas; and country trio Chapel Hart), as well as the other 54 artists who were just revealed below.
The top 54 contestants from America’s Got Talent Season 17 are: Acapop is one of the 54 acts scheduled to perform live in season 17. Amanda Veranica, Amanda Mammana, Aiko Tanaka, and Her Amazing Friends, Amoukanama, Aubrey Burchell, Ava Swiss, Avery Dixon, Bayley Graham, Ben Lapidus, Blade 2 Blade, the Brown Brothers, Celia Munoz, Chapel Hart, Cline Twins, Don Milligan, Drake Milligan, Duo Rings, Freckled Zelda, Funkanometry, Fusion Japan, Harper, Hayden Kristal, Jack Williams, Jannick Holste, JoJo and Bri, Kristen Cruz, Kristy Sellars, Lace Larrabee, the Lazy Generation, Lee Collinson, Lily Meola, MPLUSPLUS, Madison Baez, Max Ostler, Mayyas, Merissa Beddows, Mervant Vera, MetaPhysic, Mia Morris, Mike E. Winfield, Mr. Pants, Nicolas RIBS, Oleksandr Yenivatov, the Pack Drumline, Players Choir, Travis Japan, Urbancrew, Wyn Starks, XOMG POP!, Sara James, Shu Takada, Stefanny & Yeeremy, and Yu Hojin.
