As the America’s Got Talent Season 17 auditions came to a cliffhanger-filled conclusion on Tuesday, the judges were still struggling to select the 138 successful auditioners from this year to the oversized 55 acts — compared to previous seasons’ 36 — that will compete for a Las Vegas residency and $1 million prize. One of the four wildcards that are now available for public vote on the show’s official website and social media outlets will be given the remaining 55th spot. Later in the evening, the remaining 54 contestants were unveiled (scroll to see the full list).
Interestingly, though, octogenarian exotic dancer Penny Starr Sr., one of the most notable of this season’s last crop of hopefuls, did not place in the top 55 despite her naughty vow to cheeky judge Simon Cowell.
In any event, Penny, who is 88 years old and boldly identifies herself as “America’s oldest burlesque dancer,” is without a doubt a national treasure. “I want to give America a real show, a get-up-and-go show!” The silver fox, who has been dancing for her “entire life” and is already used to Vegas stages from her annual appearances at Sin City’s Exotic World convention, slithered onto the AGT stage Tuesday after red, white, and blue boa feathers. The raucous great dame then started to shed those feathers and a few additional lace garments to the upbeat tune of “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
The judges were ecstatic. When Penny’s performance concluded with a shower of patriotic confetti, Heidi Klum, a former Victoria’s Secret model and lingerie performance expert, exclaimed joyfully. With a standing ovation, fellow vixen Sofia Vergara exclaimed, “I want to be you when I grow up!” towards Penny. But Simon, who even seemed to be flirting with Penny, seemed the most impressed.
Simon initially inquired if the spunky senior citizen, who has been married six times, was looking for a new husband, as if he were volunteering himself for the position. (Her firm reply: “Yeah, but it takes time to break them in!”) Then he asked the bold question that was supposed to determine her AGT fate.
“If you moved forward, would more clothing come off?” Simon enquired.
“Oh, of course, of course!” Penny responded by shaking her tailfeathers excitedly.
When Penny received four yeses, Judge Howie Mandel then spoke the startling words, “I want to see more!”
We won’t be seeing Penny again, at least not on AGT, as her victory was short-lived. Shortly after her audition, NBC announced in a press release that she had not been selected for this season’s top 55 shortlist. But since Penny’s life story is actually more fascinating than much of the strange material that airs on America’s Got Talent, Simon’s production company, Syco TV, ought to embark on her biopic.
Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Janet Gaynor Colby, a mother of two and former department store model, started her career in entertainment in 1957 when she actually joined a circus and did a daring dance routine with a live elephant. Later, she had a regular job at the Florida burlesque club Guys & Dolls. She used her stage name from the classic movie musicals Pennies From Heaven and A Star Is Born to win the title of Miss Bump-and-Grind in Atlantic City’s Cotton Club in 1963. And a true star was born.
Furthermore, Penny has conserved the burlesque art form for her 52-year-old granddaughter, Augusta Avallone, who is a member of the Burlesque Hall of Fame and also goes as Penny Starr Jr. She and Penny Jr. might be able to try out for AGT together next year if the older Starr keeps up her hard work. In the past, the Starr ladies have even performed together. That probably wouldn’t bother Simon in the least.
In the meantime, the four wildcards mentioned above—swordswallower Auzzy Blood, comedian Jordan Conley, and singers Debbii Dawson and Ben Waites—are vying for a spot in the live qualifying rounds of Season 17. We’ll find out who will be joining 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 when the live performances begin on Tuesday.
Among the 54 acts slated to perform live in season 17, Acapop is one of the top 54 contestants from America’s Got Talent 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.
