Top 10 Craziest Talent Show Moments Caught on Live TV
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Top 10 Craziest Talent Show Moments Caught on Live TV
Don Ekama
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most outrageous live moments on talent shows, from wild performances and unruly contestants to the most unforgettable on-stage mishaps.
This Japanese entertainer appeared on the 16th season of “Britain’s Got Talent,” introducing himself as a wind musician. But he conveniently left out where exactly that wind would be coming from. Instead of using his mouth, Ichikawa Koikuchi lay down on his back and let his rear-end do the talking. The act was confusing at first, and Simon Cowell wasted no time in slamming the red buzzer. But as Koikuchi used his unique talent to blow a party horn and extinguish candles on a cake, he slowly charmed the judges. Surprisingly, after two failed attempts to pop a balloon, Cowell himself jumped on-stage to make sure it happened on the third try. Clearly, we must’ve slipped into an alternate universe.
When you enter a talent show, there’s always a risk the judges might not love your act. But this British trio clearly failed to understand that. Triple Trouble auditioned for “The X Factor” in 2009 and certainly lived up to their name. After delivering a less-than-stellar rendition of Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Simon Cowell barely held back his laughter and asked if they all had colds. Not one to take criticism gracefully, group member George Gerasimou snapped back, telling Cowell to get off his high horse. The group then stormed off, with Gerasimou slamming his microphone to the floor. He returned as a solo act two years later, claiming he’d matured, but it didn’t take long for his salty attitude to make an encore appearance.
There are some talent show acts that make you wonder if the performer even has bones. This one is high up on that list. Strauss Serpent was a contestant on the 13th season of “La France a un incroyable talent,” the French spin-off of the “Got Talent” series. The Congolese contortionist moved in a way only a serpent could, twisting his body into shapes that defy all logic, no matter how many times you watch it. His moves were so intense that some audience members even had to look away. But the judges had their eyes on Serpent the entire time and were so mesmerized that one of them hit the golden buzzer, sending him straight to the semifinals.
Things took quite the personal turn on “The X Factor” judging panel between Gary Barlow and Tulisa in this season 9 episode. It all began after Barlow’s mentee Christopher Maloney delivered a rendition of Cutting Crew’s “(I Just) Died in Your Arms.” After spotting what she believed was a recurring issue, Tulisa aimed her criticism at Barlow for letting his act repeat the same mistake. But rather than address the issue raised, Barlow went for a low blow, saying that Tulisa smelled like cigarettes. Proving that two can play that game, Tulisa shot back, accusing Barlow of reeking of red wine. Though Barlow later apologized, he certainly didn’t set a great example for his mentees on how to handle criticism.
When it comes to creepy props, you can never go wrong with a doll. So when Canadian magician Nicholas Wallace auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” with nothing but a doll and a rocking chair, the judges and audience knew they were in for a terrifying treat. But what they didn’t expect was judge Gabrielle Union becoming part of a live possession act. Wallace invited Union on-stage to sit in the rocking chair, and asked her to raise her hand if she felt any touch. He then tapped the doll and, like clockwork, Union’s hand shot up each time. It was as if the doll’s spirit had taken control of her. We’re not sure how he pulled that off, but this one left everyone totally spooked.
This 20-year-old singer was convinced he was America’s next Idol, and no one could tell him otherwise. Before taking the stage, Lamar Royal declared his admiration for Mary J. Blige, and promised to respect whatever feedback the panel gave. Well, that promise didn’t last long. After Randy Jackson described his singing as “torturous,” things quickly spiraled downhill. Royal failed to listen to the judges and stubbornly kept belting out notes, as if trying to hypnotize them into changing their minds. When that didn’t work, he began cursing and had to be escorted out by security. He even walked back his praise for Mary J. Blige. If the judges weren’t impressed, at least he found some fans in a group of passing onlookers.
To say that “Britain’s Got Talent” contestant Alex Magala simply swallowed a sword would be a gross understatement. While that alone is risky business, Magala upped the ante by combining it with some pole acrobatics. After pulling off his act, he stunned everyone by doing backflips with the object still lodged in his throat. But just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier, Magala decided to upgrade to an even bigger sword, climbed up the pole and dangled upside down. What followed was one of those moments you can only comfortably watch through your fingers. Magala dropped towards the stage, only halting mere inches away. Needless to say, the audience’s hearts dropped even faster than he did.
Some people see the “Don’t Try This at Home” disclaimer on TV and adhere to it. Others, like this guy, take it as a challenge. After watching someone squirt milk out of their eyes on “Ripley's Believe It Or Not!,” Youngblood figured he’d found his calling. He brought the act to his “America’s Got Talent” audition, snorting the liquid and squirting it out of his eye. It was body horror at its finest, or worst, depending on who you ask. In the end, the judges were split, so his milk show was cut short in the audition round. At least, he holds the Guinness World Record for “fastest time to ignite five targets by shooting milk from the eye,” so that counts for something.
Whoever coined the phrase “don’t take no for an answer” clearly had Sethward in mind. This novelty act first appeared on Season 13, dressed as a caterpillar that transforms into a butterfly. Yep, that was the entire act. But Sethward’s quirky antics didn’t exactly win over any hearts, as he was buzzed by all four judges and booed off the stage by the audience. Yet, like a true pest, he returned for seasons 14, 16 and 17, only managing to make it past the auditions once. He even got an invite for the All-Stars season. Each comeback featured a new character and, almost predictably, some “accidental” wardrobe malfunction. Call him a troll or a prankster, but you’ve gotta admit, it’s actually kind of genius.
Watching acrobatic performers on talent shows, you can’t help but brace yourself for a potential disaster. But while such acts on “America’s Got Talent” usually go off without a hitch, everyone’s biggest fear came to pass with Fratelli Rossi. The brother duo are circus performers from Spain whose routine featured one brother lying on his back and flipping the other with his feet. Everything was going smoothly until they attempted to pull off one trick and the brother on top botched the landing and took a hard tumble. Even though the judges objected, the duo gave it another shot and this time, they executed it perfectly. Guess the second time really was the charm for Fratelli Rossi.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve witnessed on a talent show stage? Share it with us in the comments below.
Don Ekama
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most outrageous live moments on talent shows, from wild performances and unruly contestants to the most unforgettable on-stage mishaps.
#10: Ichikawa Koikuchi’s Fart-astic Audition
“Britain’s Got Talent” (2007-)This Japanese entertainer appeared on the 16th season of “Britain’s Got Talent,” introducing himself as a wind musician. But he conveniently left out where exactly that wind would be coming from. Instead of using his mouth, Ichikawa Koikuchi lay down on his back and let his rear-end do the talking. The act was confusing at first, and Simon Cowell wasted no time in slamming the red buzzer. But as Koikuchi used his unique talent to blow a party horn and extinguish candles on a cake, he slowly charmed the judges. Surprisingly, after two failed attempts to pop a balloon, Cowell himself jumped on-stage to make sure it happened on the third try. Clearly, we must’ve slipped into an alternate universe.
#9: Triple Trouble Bring the Drama
“The X Factor” (2004-18)When you enter a talent show, there’s always a risk the judges might not love your act. But this British trio clearly failed to understand that. Triple Trouble auditioned for “The X Factor” in 2009 and certainly lived up to their name. After delivering a less-than-stellar rendition of Rihanna’s “Umbrella,” Simon Cowell barely held back his laughter and asked if they all had colds. Not one to take criticism gracefully, group member George Gerasimou snapped back, telling Cowell to get off his high horse. The group then stormed off, with Gerasimou slamming his microphone to the floor. He returned as a solo act two years later, claiming he’d matured, but it didn’t take long for his salty attitude to make an encore appearance.
#8: Strauss Serpent’s Inhuman Moves
“La France a un incroyable talent” (2006-)There are some talent show acts that make you wonder if the performer even has bones. This one is high up on that list. Strauss Serpent was a contestant on the 13th season of “La France a un incroyable talent,” the French spin-off of the “Got Talent” series. The Congolese contortionist moved in a way only a serpent could, twisting his body into shapes that defy all logic, no matter how many times you watch it. His moves were so intense that some audience members even had to look away. But the judges had their eyes on Serpent the entire time and were so mesmerized that one of them hit the golden buzzer, sending him straight to the semifinals.
#7: Gary & Tulisa Throw Shade at Each Other
“The X Factor” (2004-18)Things took quite the personal turn on “The X Factor” judging panel between Gary Barlow and Tulisa in this season 9 episode. It all began after Barlow’s mentee Christopher Maloney delivered a rendition of Cutting Crew’s “(I Just) Died in Your Arms.” After spotting what she believed was a recurring issue, Tulisa aimed her criticism at Barlow for letting his act repeat the same mistake. But rather than address the issue raised, Barlow went for a low blow, saying that Tulisa smelled like cigarettes. Proving that two can play that game, Tulisa shot back, accusing Barlow of reeking of red wine. Though Barlow later apologized, he certainly didn’t set a great example for his mentees on how to handle criticism.
#6: Nicholas Wallace Possesses Gabrielle Union
“America's Got Talent” (2006-)When it comes to creepy props, you can never go wrong with a doll. So when Canadian magician Nicholas Wallace auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” with nothing but a doll and a rocking chair, the judges and audience knew they were in for a terrifying treat. But what they didn’t expect was judge Gabrielle Union becoming part of a live possession act. Wallace invited Union on-stage to sit in the rocking chair, and asked her to raise her hand if she felt any touch. He then tapped the doll and, like clockwork, Union’s hand shot up each time. It was as if the doll’s spirit had taken control of her. We’re not sure how he pulled that off, but this one left everyone totally spooked.
#5: Lamar Royal Isn’t Even Listening
“American Idol” (2002-16; 2018-)This 20-year-old singer was convinced he was America’s next Idol, and no one could tell him otherwise. Before taking the stage, Lamar Royal declared his admiration for Mary J. Blige, and promised to respect whatever feedback the panel gave. Well, that promise didn’t last long. After Randy Jackson described his singing as “torturous,” things quickly spiraled downhill. Royal failed to listen to the judges and stubbornly kept belting out notes, as if trying to hypnotize them into changing their minds. When that didn’t work, he began cursing and had to be escorted out by security. He even walked back his praise for Mary J. Blige. If the judges weren’t impressed, at least he found some fans in a group of passing onlookers.
#4: Alex Magala Swallows Sword
“Britain’s Got Talent” (2007-)To say that “Britain’s Got Talent” contestant Alex Magala simply swallowed a sword would be a gross understatement. While that alone is risky business, Magala upped the ante by combining it with some pole acrobatics. After pulling off his act, he stunned everyone by doing backflips with the object still lodged in his throat. But just when you thought it couldn’t get any crazier, Magala decided to upgrade to an even bigger sword, climbed up the pole and dangled upside down. What followed was one of those moments you can only comfortably watch through your fingers. Magala dropped towards the stage, only halting mere inches away. Needless to say, the audience’s hearts dropped even faster than he did.
#3: Youngblood Squirts Milk Out of His Eyes
“America's Got Talent” (2006-)Some people see the “Don’t Try This at Home” disclaimer on TV and adhere to it. Others, like this guy, take it as a challenge. After watching someone squirt milk out of their eyes on “Ripley's Believe It Or Not!,” Youngblood figured he’d found his calling. He brought the act to his “America’s Got Talent” audition, snorting the liquid and squirting it out of his eye. It was body horror at its finest, or worst, depending on who you ask. In the end, the judges were split, so his milk show was cut short in the audition round. At least, he holds the Guinness World Record for “fastest time to ignite five targets by shooting milk from the eye,” so that counts for something.
#2: Sethward Refuses to Quit
“America’s Got Talent” (2006-)Whoever coined the phrase “don’t take no for an answer” clearly had Sethward in mind. This novelty act first appeared on Season 13, dressed as a caterpillar that transforms into a butterfly. Yep, that was the entire act. But Sethward’s quirky antics didn’t exactly win over any hearts, as he was buzzed by all four judges and booed off the stage by the audience. Yet, like a true pest, he returned for seasons 14, 16 and 17, only managing to make it past the auditions once. He even got an invite for the All-Stars season. Each comeback featured a new character and, almost predictably, some “accidental” wardrobe malfunction. Call him a troll or a prankster, but you’ve gotta admit, it’s actually kind of genius.
#1: Fratelli Rossi Overcome a Mishap
“America’s Got Talent” (2006-)Watching acrobatic performers on talent shows, you can’t help but brace yourself for a potential disaster. But while such acts on “America’s Got Talent” usually go off without a hitch, everyone’s biggest fear came to pass with Fratelli Rossi. The brother duo are circus performers from Spain whose routine featured one brother lying on his back and flipping the other with his feet. Everything was going smoothly until they attempted to pull off one trick and the brother on top botched the landing and took a hard tumble. Even though the judges objected, the duo gave it another shot and this time, they executed it perfectly. Guess the second time really was the charm for Fratelli Rossi.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve witnessed on a talent show stage? Share it with us in the comments below.
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