Wheelchair jumper Aaron Wheelz was the lucky recipient of Nikki Bella’s Golden Buzzer on Monday’s series premiere of America’s Got Talent: Extreme on NBC.
The two-hour season premiere featured professional wrestler Nikki, 38, Simon Cowell, 62, and motocross star Travis Pastrana, 38, as judges and Terry Crews, 53, as host with filming taking place in Atlanta instead of Los Angeles to allow for larger outdoor stunts.
Aaron, 30, who revealed he uses a wheelchair after being born with Spina Bifida, attempted to wow the judges by completing a daring jump by launching himself into the air from a 45ft ramp, and despite suffering a terrifying crash landing, still received Nikki’s coveted buzzer after a successful second attempt.
Wow! Wheelchair jumper Aaron Wheelz was the lucky recipient of Nikki Bella’s Golden Buzzer on Monday’s series premiere of America’s Got Talent : Extreme on NBC, after completing a daring jump on his second attempt
For its new Extreme version, daring acts from around the world will audition for the judges in the hope of winning the grand prize of $500,000.
Aaron Wheelz, whose real name is Aaron Fotheringham was recognised by judge Travis, before attempting to wow the panel with a jaw-dropping jump.
The daredevil attempted to race down a tall ramp for a jump to land on the other side, but after completing a backflip suffered a scary crash landing.
Wheelchair athlete: Aaron Fotheringham, 30, who revealed he uses a wheelchair after being born with Spina Bifida, attempted to wow the judges by completing a daring jump by launching himself into the air from a ramp
Tough time: Aaron explained he began to use a wheelchair full time when he was eight years old, after years of walking with the help of braces and crutches
Tall ramp: The daring stunt was performed outdoors in Atlanta, with Aaron launching himself down the enormous ramp in the hope of completing an impressive jump and flip
Heart-stopping: Aaron, who has worked as a stunt double in the movie and TV industry, readed himself as the precariously high ramp with the goal of launching himself into the air
Ahead of his audition, Nikki asked Aaron why he got into the sport and he revealed that he was born with spina bifida and was inspired by Travis.
Speaking about his condition in a recent YouTube video, Aaron said: ‘The doctors didn’t think I would really be independent at all or be able to sit up or do anything on my own,’ and he went onto reveal he began to use a wheelchair full-time from the age of eight.
Since then Aaron has performed an array of stunts in WCMX or wheelchair motocross, and after competing in a skate park competitions from a young age, has performed as part of the Nitro Circus Live tour.
Crash landing: Aaron soared through the air on his jump and did a mid-air flip, but suffered a terrifying crash landing that left viewers stunned
On edge: Judges Nikki, Simon Cowell (pictured) and motocross star Travis Pastrana were speechless as they watched the dramatic scenes unfold
Aaron has also appeared as a stunt double on Glee for Artie Abrams (played by Kevin McHale), who also uses a wheelchair, and he also appeared in the 2019 film The Law Of Moises.
For his stunt, Aaron launched himself down a huge ramp before soaring into the air, and doing a mid-air flip, leaving the panel in awe, but he quickly suffered a dramatic crash landing.
‘He’s okay, he’s okay!,’ Terry yelled as he lifted himself off the ground, before Aaron attempted the jump for a second time.
This time, the motocross enthisiast stuck the landing, earning praise from both Simon and Travis for this performance.
He did it! Despite his crash landing, Aaron wasn’t peturbed, and after attempting the jump for a second time, landed safely on the ramp on the other side
In awe: ‘When I think of an ‘AGT: Extreme’ champion, I think of someone who pushes their limits, and I just can’t wait to see what you get to do next, Wheelz, because you’re going to the finals,’ Nikki told Aaron
You get it! She then awarded him her coveted Golden Buzzer, earning him a spot in the finals later in the series
Sweet: Aaron couldn’t contain his shock after earning the coveted Buzzer, with a thrilled Nikki rushing onto the stage to embrace him
‘Your life is so aspirational. I mean, you are the definition of never giving up. I think it’s absolutely incredible. When I think of an ‘AGT: Extreme’ champion, I think of someone who pushes their limits, and I just can’t wait to see what you get to do next, Wheelz, because you’re going to the finals,’ Nikki told him, before she stood up and slammed her Golden Buzzer.
Aaron couldn’t contain his shock after earning the coveted Buzzer, with a thrilled Nikki rushing onto the stage to embrace him.
Earlier in the show, Simon also hit his Golden Buzzer for the drone group Verge Aero that flew 160 drones for an amazing light show.
AGT: Extreme will return next week on NBC.
High praise: Simon and Travis praised him for his performance and trying the jump again despite the nasty fall
Sensational: Earlier in the show, Simon also hit his Golden Buzzer for the drone group Verge Aero that flew 160 drones for an amazing light show
Flying high: Elsewhere during the show, David ‘The Bullet’ Smith was shot out of a cannon (left), while Aaron Evans attempting a daring flip while a speeding car raced below him
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