Simon Cowell (left) and Julia Carlile of Mersey Girls on ‘America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League’.Photo:Trae Patton/NBC (2)
Trae Patton/NBC (2)
Warning: this post contains spoilers from the latest episode ofAmerica’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.
Simon Cowellhad a sweet reunion with a young woman whose life he changed forever on the latest episode ofAmerica’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.
During Monday’s episode of theAmerica’s Got Talentspinoff, Julia Carlile and her dance group Mersey Girls hit the stage for the first time as they competed on judgeMel B’s fantasy team.
While Mel B was excited to see the young women, who first competed onBritain’s Got Talent,perform their dance number, it was Simon who was particularly happy to see them as he helped pay for Julia’s scoliosis surgery back in 2017.
“We’ve all been dancing together since we were literally tiny and it’s what we all wanted to do as a career,” explained Julia, who turns 22 later this month. “That didn’t end up happening for me. I was diagnosed with a condition called scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine, and I was told my dance career would end after I get surgery to fix that. So we were like, ‘Let’s go out with a bang before my surgery,’ so we applied toBritain’s Got Talent.That’s when we ended up getting on the show and I met Simon. And he completely changed my life.”
Mersey Girls on ‘America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League’.Trae Patton/NBC
Trae Patton/NBC
In a video package, Julia explained that her dance group “had the time of our lives dancing” on theBritain’s Got Talentstage and receiving the Golden Buzzer from judge Alesha Dixon. Though they didn’t win the competition, Julia got something better — a chance to keep dancing.
“There was a surgery here in America, which meant I would be able to dance after, but it was over in America, I’m from the U.K., so Simon said he’s gonna help me get that surgery,” she explained. “So he flew me out. My dream was taken away from me, and in a split second, Simon just gave that dream back to me. I can dance now, for the rest of my life.”
According toThe Daily Mail,Simon paid £175,000 ($223,000 USD) for the operation to straighten Julia’s spine. She has sinceundergone several moreprocedures, some of which she hasdocumented on social media.
“When we found out we were on Mel B’s dream team, we were just ecstatic,” said Mersey Girls member Cara in a video package before their dance.
Simon Cowell on ‘America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League’.Trae Patton/NBC
“It was very good, and it is a beautiful story and I’m really moved … but I don’t know if it’s great,” Howie said, as Julia politely responded, “I dohave two metal rods in my spine, I try my best.”
“You’re fantastic and I’m very proud of you, young lady,” he then clarified.
Heidi Klumwas in agreement, telling the group, “You dance like a well-oiled machine … but I find it a little bit snoozy.”
Mel B and Simon, however, did not agree with their commentary. Mel B pointed out how “these girls all stuck together” despite Julia’s near-career-ending surgery and Simon commended them for their can-do attitude and persistence.
Simon then went up on stage and hugged the group after their performance.
But while he and Mel B had confidence in the dance group, they unfortunately did not receive the same support from America when it came time to vote.
Going through to the next rounds was season 18 animal actAdrian Stoica and Hurricanefrom Simon’s team, season 15 singer Sheldon Riley andBritain’s Got Talentseason 13 acrobats Vardanyan Brothers from Mel B’s team, season 18 aerialist Grace Good from Heidi’s team, and Howie’s team comedian Preacher Lawson, who competed on season 12,AGT: The Championsseason 1 andBGT: The Champions.
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America’s Got Talent: Fantasy Leagueairs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
source: people.com
