She’s got it! Dorothy Williams, a 90-year-old burlesque dancer from Hilo, Hawaii, tantalized America’s Got Talent viewers with a sassy striptease on the Tuesday, July 5 episode of the reality competition series.
After astounding judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Mel B and Heidi Klum by revealing her age (“You look amazing!” exclaimed Cowell), the spirited senior citizen broke out into a supersexy dance routine set to the sound of Bette Midler’s “Let Me Entertain You,” a song from 1993’s musical revival Gypsy.
Williams slayed the stage with enthusiastic hip thrusts before she started removing parts of her bright red ensemble piece by piece. First, she ripped off her fringed skirt to reveal tiny crimson boy shorts. More pelvic gyrations ensued.
Next, the AGT hopeful removed her ruby-hued tube top. Underneath, Williams wore a nude tank with long nipple tassels attached. The grand finale came when the geriatric entertainer began moving her torso so that her tassels waved around in a circular motion. Cowell & Co. — along with the crowd — went wild with both laughter and applause.
When it was time for the judges to share their opinions, they had nothing but rave reviews for Williams.
“Dorothy, you know what? I have to say, you’re 90 years old. Good for you. Good for you!” Mel B, 41, said, while Klum, 43, gushed, “I absolutely love you. That was really, really special. You put me in a really good mood.”
Cowell, 56, also had kind words for the nonagenarian performer. “I find you fascinating, Dorothy. I do. And I do think there’s an audience for you,” he acknowledged before joking: “I think we need to work a little bit more on the tassels.”
“They were working fine,” the sharp-witted elder quipped back. “They got tired from practicing!”
Added Mandel, 60: “I love you. I love the message. You are a great example; you are inspiring. I think that you should become a star, and I’m so glad that you’re here.”
Show host Nick Cannon also liked what he saw. While only the judges are allowed to press down on their golden buzzer once each season to send a contestant straight through to AGT’s live shows, Cannon, 35, bent the rules for Williams.
“Miss Dorothy told me that all she dreamed about all her life was being a star in a moment like this. I told her a star is born tonight!” the All That alum shared Tuesday night. “All of our judges already hit their golden buzzers, but you know what? I don’t care. I’mma break the rules!”
To see how Williams reacted to Cannon pressing down on the golden buzzer for her, watch the video above!
America’s Got Talent airs on NBC Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
