Mumbai-based dance troupe wins 'America's Got Talent: The Champions'
A Mumbai-based dance troupe has been crowned the winner of season 2 of America's Got Talent: The Champions, a spin-off of the popular talent show America's Got Talent. V.Unbeatable was declared the champion during the finale, that aired on NBC on Monday. The acrobatic dance crew beat fellow finalists trapeze duo Duo Transcend, violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa, singer Marcelito Pomoy, and acrobats Sandou Trio Russian Bar.
V.Unbeatable finished fourth on 'AGT' season 14
A 35-member dance crew, V.Unbeatable was formed in 2012. Comprising young dancers aged 12 to 27 years, the group also competed on India's Got Talent. In season 14 of America's Got Talent, V.Unbeatable was among the favorites, however, they took the fourth position. They were then selected for the spin-off competition, where they have now emerged victorious.
'V' is a tribute to a former crew member
The "V" in the group's name is a tribute to a former member of the crew, Vikas, who was paralyzed and died years ago, following an accident during rehearsals. In Season 14 of AGT, the group dedicated their performances to Vikas. "His dream was to be on a stage like this so, yes, we are doing all this for him," one member had said.
"It's the most amazing moment for us"
After their success on the Champions stage, V.Unbeatable told People magazine, "We didn't expect this...It's the most amazing moment for us." "This moment is going to stay with us throughout our lives because we have been through a lot these seven years. It's a moment where you feel like you're on top of the world," they added.
The winner is determined based on voting from pre-selected 'superfans'
In the Champions format of AGT, the winner is determined based on voting from a panel of pre-selected fans from 50 US states. According to host Terry Crews, these fans represent "every aspect of America." The season 2 of AGT: The Champions featured Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Alesha Dixon as judges, and Terry Crews as the host.
