After consistently wowing the judges week after week, Kenichi Ebina was voted the top act for “America’s Got Talent“ during Wednesday night’s live finale broadcast.
The dancer topped five other performers to win the show’s grand prize of $1 million and the opportunity to headline a performance in Las Vegas. The prize was awarded based on home viewers’ votes cast after Tuesday night’s live episode.
“Oh my God, I don’t know what I can tell, but it’s amazing,” Kenichi said after America’s Got Talent host Nick Cannon announced his victory. “Also, I want to thank my wife and daughter [for] being supportive all the way through. And my mom, brother, sister, and all my friends — and all the fan support. [It’s] crazy!”
All season long, Kenichi performed an array of unique, free-style robotic dance moves, some of which were synchronized to interact with virtual background dancers projected on a large screen behind him.
Those background dancers were actually Kenichi himself in pre-recorded segments. He masterfully blended the video clips together and almost flawlessly moved in unison with the projections on the screen. Kenichi also wowed the nation with some incredible body twists and scary head maneuvers.
Stand-up comedian Taylor Williamson finished as the show’s eighth-season runner-up.
“This has been so amazing. It’s such an honor to be here, and you guys made my dreams come true,” Taylor said, after Nick revealed the comedian had finished second in the voting.
“‘No. 2,’ that’s kind of disgusting — that number — but thank you so much you guys for making my dreams come true. Thank you!” he added, joking.
Jimmy Rose, a country singer and songwriter, finished in third place.
“This has been a crazy experience and a humbling experience. I thank AGT and everybody for giving me this opportunity — the world — to prove to everyone out there, if you have a dream, chase it. No matter who you are, where you come from. And ‘Coal Mine’ is such a huge hit, and I’m just proud to represent in such a positive way,” he said afterward.
Fourth place went to Forte, an operatic tenor trio, followed by teenage magician Collins Key in fifth place, and singer, songwriter and pianist Cami Bradley in sixth place.
