The eighth season finale of “America’s Got Talent” took place at New York City’s Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 18, 2013. Illusionist dancer Kenichi Ebina was named the winner. He gets the grand prize of $1 million and a headlining show in Las Vegas.
Guest entertainers in the season finale included Luke Bryan, Icona Pop, Dierks Bentley, Josh Groban, Il Divo, Heather Headley, Gavin DeGraw, James Lipton and Earth, Wind & Fire. Also there were season’s top six finalists: Ebina, comedian Taylor Williamson, singer Jimmy Rose, magician Collins Key, operatic trio Forte and singer Cami Bradley.
The "America's Got Talent" judges (Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel) and host (Nick Cannon) were among those who walked the red carpet backstage after the show. Here is what Icona Pop members Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo said when I caught up them for a brief interview on the red carpet.
Your song "I Love It" became a massive hit worldwide. Why do you think it caught on so quickly in so many countries?
Jawo: All of our music is easy to sing to. We like making pop music that makes people feel good. We want people to be able to laugh to the song but also for it to mean something for people to relate to.
What was the craziest DJ gig you ever played?
Hjelt: That takes us back to Paris, for sure. Some stuff is meant to stay where it happened. When we started out, we released a song in Paris. We started going over there to play there. We didn't know what we were doing it all, but we were feeling our way.
One time they lost our suitcase at the airport, so we didn't have any clothes or CDs or anything. So we used coffee filters to write on the CDs that we were burning. And then we bought too-small clothes at a second-hand store, and the clothes broke, so we showed our titties. So that was not very nice.
Jawo: But we got a lot of handsome, friendly men afterwards! That was a good time anyway.
You've got more concert dates this year. How do you prepare for a tour when you're also busy making and promoting your debut album, "This Is ... Icona Pop"?
Hejlt: We're just trying to ride with it. We've been working so hard for a long time. There's so much great stuff happening right now. We're having so much fun. We keep it down to earth by just hanging out with each other. We're two best friends doing what we love, so it's that easy.
"This Is ... Icona Pop" is set for release here in the U.S. on Sept. 24, 2013. How would you describe the album?
Jawo: It's bittersweet pop dance with a lot of heartbreak but breaking hearts.
For more info: "America's Got Talent" website
