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An adorable teenager with spine like putty. It could only happen on AGT!
While some contortionists use their skills to look freaky or enhance a dance routine, this Act was all about the surprise and delight, and it was a perfectly unexpected addition to the final night of Auditions for Season 21 of America's Got Talent.
On her way to Los Angeles, 18-year-old Maria happily explained, "Hi everyone, I am Maria, and I am from Bavaria, Germany. I live on a small mountain with my family and my animals. My village is very small. Only about 40 people but there are 200 animals. I love my small village but my true dream is to be on the big stages all over the world. It’s my first time in America. The big buildings are overwhelming and amazing. I’m very nervous, because I hoped to be on AGT for my entire life, and I hope that I can amaze and inspire the people of my village."
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When she arrived on the AGT stage looking fresh-faced and thrilled to be there, she continued, "I will become a future therapist because I want to help people. When I was 10 years old I was very sick. I was in a wheelchair for two years because I was paralyzed. But in this difficult time I watched AGT, and I saw all this, and I saw so many people here on this stage, and I was inspired, and I wanted to be like them so I want to show my talent for you today."
Meet Maria, the human pretzel
In stretchy jeans and a colorful top, Maria simply bent over backward... and kept right on bending. She seemingly didn't need to stretch or warm up, nor did she need a special mat or any other props. Once her body was folded and twisted onto itself, she was able to "walk" around on her hands like it was no big deal, still grinning.
After demonstrating a few different versions of this trick, she came closer to Judges Howie Mandel, Mel B, Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara and folded herself into a clear box no bigger than a large package!
Afterward, Mel B marveled at how she could come across as a "sweet girl next door" and then demonstrate such a bizarre skill. Maria explained that her years of disability and her flexibility are actually connected; she was paralyzed because of inflammation in her spine, which left her more flexible than she had been.
"We’ve seen contortionists before, but you seem to go beyond the point where most people [go]. You’re like a living cute little pretzel. I’m so glad you’re here. That was amazing," Mandel said.
"You make it seem so easy, so effortless, you’re smiling and standing really cute, like it’s nothing, meanwhile it’s like you’re about to break in six pieces," Vergara added, noting that her Act is fun to watch because Maria herself looks like she's enjoying the performance.
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Cowell agreed with the others, saying, "That was actually brilliant. From your story to your confidence. I always say with an Act like this, where’s it gonna end? And then you put yourself in a box! That’s a cool ending."
Maria earned four out of four Yes votes and happily went backstage to hug her proud parents, while the Judges joked about what they'd do with her ability, like skipping air travel and simply shipping themselves via FedEx. Hey, she should try that in the Live Shows!
