The producers of ‘America’s Got Talent’ displayed a shocking lack of tact during the show’s live finale on Wednesday, which saw the program’s two youngest contestants forced to deal with a live elimination that lasted 30 minutes while standing alone on stage.
One of those contestants, 12-year-old ventriloquist Darci Lynne, ultimately went home the winner, while the other, 10-year-old singer Angelica Hale, endured all that tension only to be declared the runner-up.
The stressful nature of the set-up got to be too much for Angelica at one point, as she broke down in tears even before learning that she had not won the top prize.
She could be seen trying to dry her face with both hands as tears streamed down her cheeks towards the end of the program.
That moment was then played up by the show’s producers, who chose to zoom in on the weeping child.
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What doesn’t kill you…: ‘America’s Got Talent’ did a live elimination of the show’s top five acts during the live finale on Wednesday night (l to r: Angelica Hale, host Tyra Banks and Darci Lynne)
Makes you stronger: The stressful nature of the set-up got to be too much for Angelica at one point, as she broke down in tears on live television (above)
Too much tension: Angelica could be seen trying to dry her face with both hands (above) as tears streamed down her cheeks
Difficult moment: Darci tried her best to keep from crying on national television as well towards the end (above)
Over at last: Once Darci was announced as the winner (above), Angelica’s crying immediately stopped however, suggesting that her tears had more to do with stress
It was at around 9:30pm on Wednesday that the show’s five finalists were brought out on stage and began to be eliminated one by one.
In the end, it was the two children who were left standing, with Darci going up Angelica Hale for the top prize.
The two girls were alone with host Tyra Banks for more than 10 minutes, and just before the former supermodel revealed the winner both girls seemed to be emotionally exhausted.
Angelica began wiping tears from her face while Darci tried her best to keep from crying on national television.
Once Darci was announced as the winner, Angelica’s crying immediately stopped however, suggesting that her tears had more to do with stress and less to do with the show’s outcome.
At that point, the girls had endured three eliminations and three lengthy commercial breaks, which made for a very long 30 minutes.
Round one: Deaf singer Mandy, Canadian dog-trainer Sara, Ukrainian dance crew Light Balance, Darci and Angelica
Final four: Deaf singer Mandy, Banks, Ukrainian dance crew Light Balance, Darci and Angelica
Three: Ukrainian dance crew Light Balance, Darci and Angelica
Then there were two: Angelica and Darci with Tyra after the third and final elimination on Wednesday
There was some good news for Angelica however, as she announced soon after that she would be joining Darci for two dates in Las Vegas this November while she performed at Planet Hollywood.
The show’s winner receives a $1million prize and their own show in Las Vegas.
Angelica, who wowed the judges with her musical performances throughout the contest, also got the chance to perform with Kelly Clarkson during the live finale.
In the end, she seemed to be happy with the way things turned out, or at the very least to finally be off the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
‘Couldn’t be any happier! What an incredible journey & thx to @AGT & America for having me along until the very end!’ she tweeted on Wednesday night.