Best Ballet Acts on ‘Got Talent’ — Why We Want to See More of Them
Tyler Golden/NBC Reading Time: 3 minutes
After watching Simon Cowell turn into a ballet lover on Season 16 of America’s Got Talent, it really has us thinking about the franchise as a whole. There should absolutely be more ballet acts on Got Talent shows. The elegant dance form is very underrated. It takes so much skill and precision to dance en point, or on the tips of your toes.
There have been only a handful of ballet acts that have graced Got Talent stages all over the world. Some are just too good to forget and we hope to see more soon. It’s a common misconception that ballet is boring or outdated. It’s actually very exciting and impressive and these acts are proof of that. Ballet is an art form that is hundreds of years old and needs to be widely appreciated as such.
Viewers always see lyrical acts and contemporary dances on talent shows. Lyrical is a more modern style that takes inspiration from a few other classical styles. All of these dance styles take a lot of focus and practice. They should be equally represented on talent shows, just as musicians from all different genres are.
Best Ballet Acts That We Couldn’t Get Enough of on Talent Shows
1. Gao Lin and Liu Xin Perform Acrobatic Ballet on ‘Asia’s Got Talent’
Gao Lin and Liu Xin’s acrobatic ballet routine on Asia’s Got Talent was stunning. The pair from China were dating at the time of their 2015 audition. This routine was full of bold tricks and also embodied the gracefulness of ballet. The daring lifts left the judges wiping sweat from their foreheads. Judge Melanie C was so mesmerized by the performance she decided to hit her Golden Buzzer. They finished the competition in the Top 9.
2. Shannon and Peter Parker Share Their Love Story on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’
Married couple Shannon and Peter Parker shared their love story when they auditioned for Britain’s Got Talent in 2016. Dance is actually how they met at Northern Ballet Theatre. Shannon took a job in England and only expected to be there for a year. It’s remarkable that over 20 years later she was still there with a husband and two children. The couple retired from dancing 15 years before their audition but wanted to see if they still had what it takes to win BGT. Every lift was seamless. The routine was so beautiful that it left Amanda Holden all choked up. Cowell commented that “you’re never too old” to live out your dreams. They were chosen as the judges wildcard in the Final and ended the competition in 11th place.
3. Hiplet Ballerinas Promote Inclusivity on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Hiplet Ballerinas is the group that got Cowell to change his whole perspective about ballet. They do perform en pointe and have some traditional elements in their dances. What separates them from other ballet acts is the fact that they incorporate hip-hop into their routines. This group is all about inclusivity and proving that ballerinas do not have to fit one mold. Their message was one that other girls who want to be ballerinas could be inspired by. Hiplet Ballerinas welcomes dancers of all shapes and sizes. Cowell, like the rest of us, now wants to see more ballet on America’s Got Talent.
4. Wu Zhengdan and Wei Baohua Wow the Judges on ‘World’s Got Talent’
Wu Zhengdan and Wei Baohua added some incredible acrobatic tricks to their World’s Got Talent routine that earned them a Golden Buzzer. The pair danced to “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman for their memorable performance. Their son was in the audience to watch the spectacular display of talent. Wu stood en pointe on her husbands shoulders and did a stunning arabesque. She did the same move again, this time balancing on Wei’s head. They shared how they decided not to use any protection pads for this performance because they wanted to take a risk. Their risks definitely paid off.
