#13: Matt Wilhelm (Season 6)
Sometimes, the sad reality is that disappointment is completely unavoidable. Such was the case with Matt Wilhelm.
During Season 5, AGT introduced the first ever Youtube round, and with it, introduced to the world the pint-sized superstar diva, Jackie Evancho, who had received the audience's vote for inclusion in set of twelve.
Evancho's late introduction completely redefined the dynamics of the fifth season. She made it all the way to the finals, besting even top-tier talents like Prince Poppycock and Michael Grasso, and ultimately came in second only to Michael Grimm.
So it goes without saying that the expectations for the Season 6 Youtube round were high, especially so for the next audience's choice.
Before Evancho, most of the anticipation had been centered around Fighting Gravity, considered at the time to be one of the most innovative and original acts in existence. It might not have been all that surprising, therefore, that America wound up choosing Matt Wilhelm and his black-light cycle stunts as their pick.
Unfortunately, there was only so much that Wilhelm could offer them. Since he was performing on a stage and in the dark, there was only so much he could do. As Piers Morgan reluctantly noted, the act grew stale rather easily.
Wilhelm also failed to complete his semifinal performance. Right at the end, he could visibly be seen about to fall over before the lights went out.
This is one of the few instances where the act itself bares little to none of the blame for the act being a letdown.
It is worth noting, however, that Wilhelm originally placed ahead of the West Springfield Dance Team, who later made it into the Top 10 against Wilhelm after competing in the wild card round.
So even though it was not Wilhelm's fault, it's unavoidable that this was a major letdown. America voted for him twice after all.
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