In photos: Talent, music triumph in ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ finale
Filipino shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra brought home the top prize in the first edition of Asia’s Got Talent, but the biggest winner in the grand finals at Marina Bay Sands, an evening of music and spectacle, was talent itself.
Before the nail-biting announcement, the finalists, judges, and guest performers celebrated the reason why they share the same stage—to show Asia and the rest of the world what they got.
Drawing loud cheers from the crowd, the nine grand finalists rocked the stage with a medley of Chris Brown’s “Turn Up the Music.”
The finalists performs to Chris Brown’s “Turn Up the Music.”
The show’s four superstar judges also performed together for the first time. Grammy-winning musician David Foster, former Spice Girl Melanie C, Taiwanese pop icon Van Ness Wu and Indonesian rock icon Anggun wooed the audience with their take on “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind, and Fire.
Embodying entertainment with a purpose, the judges’ rendition of the groovy track can be downloaded on iTunes, with the proceeds going to the victims of the recent Nepal earthquake.
David Foster, Anggun, Melanie C. & Van Ness Wu sings “Let’s Groove.”
Anggun, Van Ness Wu and Melanie C.
David Foster, Melanie C. and Anggun
Marc Nelson, Rovilson Fernandez, David Foster, Anggun, Melanie C. and Van Ness Wu
Filipino singing sensation Charice Pempengco also performed with her mentor Foster, who contributed in boosting her international career. Pempengco and Foster delivered an emotional duet of the hit Sam Smith song “Lay Me Down.”
Charice with David Foster
Charice sings her own version of “Lay Me Down” by Sam Smith.
Backed with an elegant orchestra as accompaniment, judge Anggun also performed her trademark chart-topping classic “Snow on the Sahara.”
Anggun performs her song “Snow on the Sahara.”
“Australia’s Got Talent” 2011 runner-up Consentino, an illusionist-escapologist, engaged the audience with his breathtaking illusion act—a first in Asia.
Consentino executes his illusion act.
In a statement, FremantleMedia managing director Paul O’Hanlon lauded El Gamma’s creative and powerful manner of telling a story.
FremantleMedia is the coproducer of the “Got Talent” format, the “biggest talent competition in the world” created by Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment.
“Their ability to combine strong emotion with meaningful messaging that overcomes the barriers of language has, and will continue to, touch the hearts of viewers everywhere,” he said. “We congratulate them and thank all of the acts that have delighted and entertained us, awed and inspired us, and showed the world that Asia’s Got Talent.”
Prior to being awarded as champion, El Gamma reprised their winning grand finals act that highlighted the importance of nature and its conservation.
READ: El Gamma Penumbra is Asia’s Got Talent grand winner
Sony Pictures TV network general manager Ang Hui Keng also congratulated the shadow play group for its feat, adding the high level of talent translated to the high ratings of the show.
“‘Asia’s Got Talent’ has been an incredibly thrilling success and the ratings speak volumes about the fantastic quality of the series,” he said. “I would like to congratulate El Gamma Penumbra on winning the first ‘Asia’s Got Talent’ and to all contestants who have contributed to our inaugural season.”
The 13-strong squad from Tanauan, Batangas, bested eight other grand finalists, which included three other Filipino acts, namely classical singer Gerphil Flores, 10-year-old songstress Gwyneth Dorado, and hip-hop dance troupe Junior New System. Flores finished in third place, while Mongolian musical ensemble Khusugtun was the runner-up.
READ: Talent, ratings soar in Asia’s Got Talent grand finals | Talent tilt-winning group moves with light and shadow
El Gamma first joined ABS-CBN network’s “Pilipinas Got Talent” in 2013 and finished as a finalist.
“Asia’s Got Talent,” a regional franchise of the “Got Talent” format dubbed as the “biggest talent competition in the world,” first aired in March.
*PHOTOS FROM AXN ASIA
