A 71-year-old Thai woman inspired the judges and studio audience as she effortlessly performed a tough ballroom dance number on last night’s America’s Got Talent, proving age is definitely just a number.
Quin Bommelje, who grew up in Thailand’s rural Mahasarakham province before moving to the US more some 40 years ago, flat out shocked the crowd when she revealed her true age. And when the music began, Quin and her 35-year-old dance partner, Misha Vlasov, brought the house down with a routine that featured splits, spins, and lifts.
Cue the standing ovation.
“Wow! You know you say you want to inspire people of a certain age, but you inspired everybody of all ages,” guest judge Martina McBride said. “It was truly a remarkable performance … it just really moved me.”
The country singer then pressed her Golden Buzzer, sending confetti all over the stage. This means Quin and her partner were granted an automatic place in the semi-finals.
Quin thanked the crowd with a gracious wai, a Thai hand gesture used in greeting and expressing gratitude.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGQl487_-lc
“Being awarded the Golden Buzzer was an amazing and totally unexpected experience. We are so grateful to Judge Martina McBride,” Quin told Coconuts.
Originally from northeastern Mahasarakham province, Quin grew up on a rice farm, just like many other children in Isaan.
“In a million years, I would never have thought I’d be here [at America’s Got Talent] today. I grew up in a small village in Thailand. My father was a rice farmer. We were very poor, but my parents taught me very very hard work. And I learned not to give up,” she said.
With her America’s Got Talent appearance, Quin said she hopes to inspire others of her age.
“I want to show the world. Hey, listen — just because you’re 60 or 70, don’t sit there,” she said in an interview on the show.
Quin met her husband Rick 46 years ago, before the pair started their lives in the US. Ten years ago, the couple started taking ballroom dancing together, but eventually, her husband realized he ould no longer keep up with her.
“He said, ‘Honey, you do it! After that, I had to find a young man to dance with,” Quin said, giggling.
https://www.facebook.com/QuinandMisha/posts/827104974344196
Asked what’s her secret in staying youthful and active, Quin gave a simple answer — diet and exercise.
“I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. I eat Isaan food, and I love sticky rice! I dance many hours a day and also workout at the gym almost every day,” she told Coconuts.
The dancing duo will perform in the live rounds at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, while the Judge Cuts round continues next Tuesday.
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