Dance
Simon comes to plus-size dancers rescue after judges' reactions
I wasn't expecting her to move like that! 😲
Catherine Marucci
04.06.21

When Amanda Lacount took the stage in the third week of auditions of season 15 on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, she wasn’t sure how it would go. The nervous dancer had faced a lot of negative reactions in response to her size. There were people who had told her that she shouldn’t dance. However, that hadn’t stopped her, and now she was about to show the world what she could do.

Who wouldn’t be a little nervous? Even her family member waiting in the wings was anxious.

Amanda
Amanda Lacount via Facebook
Source:
Amanda Lacount via Facebook

The Buzzer

The music started playing. It was I don’t dance I work! by Todrick Hall, and it was definitely the perfect choice for this lively, headstrong, and active dancer. However, only about twenty seconds into the performance, Heidi Klum hit the buzzer.

Heidi
Talent Recap via YouTube
Source:
Talent Recap via YouTube

Not the first time

One of the comments on YouTube pointed out that this wasn’t the first time Heidi hit the buzzer first on a plus-sized performer:

“This is not even the first time she did this to a plus-sized the last time she did it was to a boy (who danced really well btw) and the judges looked at her like she was nuts.”


dancer
Talent Recap via YouTube
Source:
Talent Recap via YouTube

Dancing On

That buzzer didn’t even slow Amanda down. She just kept dancing right through it with the same energy and love of what she was doing. She came there to dance, and that was what she was going to do.

And she had genuine talent. She moved across that stage like she owned it. She was flexible, fast, energetic, and did every move perfectly.

That performance got her a standing ovation.


selfie
Amanda Lacount via Facebook
Source:
Amanda Lacount via Facebook

Simon to the rescue

Finally, the performance was over, and it was time to find out what the judges thought. The panel included Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Sophia Vergara, and Howie Mande. One by one, each told her that she was good, but not good enough. By the time it was Simon’s turn, it was obvious that Amanda expected the worst. Instead, she got something else entirely.


Simon
Talent Recap via YouTube
Source:
Talent Recap via YouTube

Simon’s first words:

“I’m going to be honest with you. For me, I loved every moment of the audition.”

He was full of praise and encouragement. Simon commended Amanda for her courage, her perseverance, and her talent. Most of all, he said he wanted to see how far she could take that talent.

The crowd went wild.


Amanda
Amanda Lacount via Facebook
Source:
Amanda Lacount via Facebook

The internet responds

Simon wasn’t the only one coming to her rescue. The comments on the YouTube video are overwhelmingly supportive.

Marina Abroad wrote:

“I follow her dance journey for a few years now and seeing her getting the love from the audience she deserves is amazing!! You are a Star Amanda!! Simon is speaking facts and I love that he went behind the stage to build her up again!”


performance
Talent Recap via YouTube
Source:
Talent Recap via YouTube

Mr Oss summed it up in just a few words:

“Most people, especially most dancers, who’ve been so heavy do not realize how difficult doing that is. She’s got mad skill.”


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Amanda Lacount via Facebook
Source:
Amanda Lacount via Facebook

Are you ready to see the stunning performance for yourself?

Watch the video below!

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Talent Recap via YouTube

Amanda LaCount via Facebook

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