There’s something about dance troupes that have high success on America’s Got Talent. Perhaps it’s the marketability and the insanely high skill set, but the viewers love it, and the judges are always eager to launch them further in the competition. There’s a high bar set when it comes to AGT because, through 20 seasons, the judges have seen it all. It’s not enough to just be talented.
For Season 20, the first of its kind was Team Recycled. What they did in their first performance was simply extraordinary. The audience loved it and most of the judges loved it. Why? Because they did something unique and special. They literally lived up to their name. They recycled the best of the best from what we’ve seen from dance troupes of the past and elevated it to something mind-blowing. Calling it right now, there will be many Vegas venues fighting for their chance to have Team Recycled as a residency.
Team Recycled Proved Why Surprises Are a Must
Team Recycled are a mixed-gender dance group originally from The Philippines and based in Germany. Founded by creative director Jeff Jimenez, Team Recycled has been on the international dance competition circuit, but now with their debut on AGT, something has clicked as a new set of eyes has seen the wonder they bring to the stage.
At first, a handful of dancers appeared in front of the judges on stage, offering a typical dance routine. They offered the standard-breaking tricks and stunts, paired with a hip-hop track. The talent was there, but was that it? Then, without warning, the camera turned to the audience where eight rows of dancers were planted and gave an incredibly intricate, choreographed performance filled with techno music and lights. It was a visual experience. Some acts, like LightWire, might have been better suited to watch in the theater. Team Recycled was exceptional, thanks to the camera work delivered to the viewers at home. Let’s just say that this performance has been on repeat. There are so many incredible beats to take in, and with each watch, you capture something new every time. The precision of every dancer, timed perfectly to the music, was a sensation.
After winning ‘The Sing Off,’ this former Home Free frontman hoped ‘America’s Got Talent’ would be his next frontier.
‘America’s Got Talent’ Needs Another Dance Crew to Win
Team Recycled has taken what has made other dance troupes succeed and turned it on its head, doing something refreshing. They not only used the biggest stage in the world, they used the whole room! As Simon Cowell said, it was an event. Now, moody Mel B gave them a no as she didn’t like the creative direction “starting boring,” but as Simon and Howie Mandel pointed out, the switch and bait were literally the whole point. They played the AGT long game quite well. They hooked us in immediately, proved they have the talent to win, and will continue to dazzle each and every time. Their toughest task will be how to surprise us and bring something new and exciting with each performance.
AGT is home to some of the best dance groups the world has to offer. That being said, winning the whole show is near impossible. It wasn’t until Season 17 that a dance group won the show. The Mayyas, a Lebanese dance crew, was Sofia Vergara‘s Golden Buzzer act. And that’s it. It’s time for another dance troupe to seal a victory on finale night. What Team Recycled brings is the light work that Team iLuminate from Season 6 and Light Balance brought from Season 12 and America’s Got Talent: The Champions. They have that spark that JabbaWockeeZ brought in Season 2. Team Recycled is hoping to refresh dance on AGT and bring home a victory for all the dance crews who didn’t win before.
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. All episodes are available to stream on Peacock.
