Simon Cowell Picks Boogie Storm For Golden Buzzer Act On ‘Britain’s Got Talent’
Simon Cowell is known in both the U.K. and the U.S. for his brutal honesty and sometimes cruel nature when he judged the performances of aspiring musicians on The X Factor and American Idol. However, there was an unconventional and, one might say, novelty act that he was willing to take a chance on during the Saturday broadcast of Britain’s Got Talent.
According to the Huffington Post UK, Cowell, prompted by the audience, pressed his golden buzzer for the dance group Boogie Storm, whose members were dressed up as the Stormtroopers from the Star Wars franchise. They proceeded to dance to a medley of pop songs that included “Single Ladies” by Beyonce, “Sax” by Fleur East, “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” by Silento, and “Gangnam Style” by Psy.
“I literally said if we could find Stormtroopers who could dance, this show is going to go into a different league,” said Cowell, who propelled the group to the upcoming live semi-finals.
He continued, “My dream has come true. Thank you.”
The music mogul’s fellow Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams was surprised by the decision.
“What a surprise that the real life Darth Vader voted for his troops,” said Walliams. “I do worry Simon Cowell may have lost his mind.”
“Mystery surrounds the identity of Boogie Storm as the group did not speak on camera before their audition or after their triumph,” said Lorna Cooper of the Mirror. “But their appearance did spark some Star Wars jokes at Cowell’s expense.”
Michael Hogan of the Telgraph felt that this recent episode of the ITV program had a definite science-fiction flavor to it and noted that the concept of Boogie Storm was topical because of Star Wars Day on May 4, only three days prior to the broadcast.
“Boogie Storm were basically Diversity in fancy dress,” said Hogan, referring to the dance troupe that beat out Susan Boyle on the show in 2009.
Viewers of Britain’s Got Talent took to Twitter to express their frustration about Simon Cowell’s decision, which some think was based more on the look rather than the actual talent.
The Mirror reported that many viewers felt Rachael Wooding, who found fame as a performer in London’s West End, should have been put through to the semi-finals for a performance that received a standing ovation and four yeses by the judges.
“This was the most beautiful version of that song I’ve ever heard,” said Cowell in reference Wooding’s cover of “With You” from Ghost the Musical.
However, Michael Hogan disagrees and feels that Wooding, who’s starred in U.K. productions of Hairspray and Jersey Boys, is too much of an accomplished performer to be on the program.
“This series is supposed to be about discovering new talent, not reviving the careers of existing entertainers,” said Hogan.
This broadcast was also memorable for the many bizarre novelty acts who performed. They included the Deep Space Deviants, who were dressed as the Doctor Who character Darvos, a pianist obsessed with cats from the Netherlands, and a Belarusian act called Vadik and the Bear, featuring a giant dancing polar bear.
“The show may be called Britain’s Got Talent, but that has not stopped the flow of performers from outside the U.K.,” said Lorna Cooper.
Outside of this show, Simon Cowell has been keeping himself busy recently. On May 31, he will make his debut as a judge on America’s Got Talent, as reported by the New York Post.
Cowell, who also created the program, will replace Howard Stern on the judging panel, which also features Howie Mandel, Mel B., and Heidi Klum.
“Any thoughts I had about being the boss was soon shattered on Day One,” said Cowell. “These four know each other so well and I felt like the new boy — and almost like I had to prove myself.”
[Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images]
