Mime Sam Wills Stuns on America’s Got Talent

New Zealand mime Sam Wills, 37, aka The Boy With Tape on His Face, has wowed judges, the live studio audience, and an estimated 11 million viewers, at his audition for America’s Got Talent.

Judge Howie Mandel said the act was “Brilliant! Brilliant!” as it won a standing ovation.

Billed as Tape Face, he initially caused concern in the theatre as he couldn’t answer the judges’ questions – because his mouth was taped. There were cutaways of host Nick Cannon and the audience looking confused and one of them was shown saying: “I’m a little afraid now I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

But Mandel said, “I love a mystery. Go ahead and do what it is you do.”

Tape Face – British-based Wills – performed two scenes: One in which oven mitts sing a duet, and another in which he caressed himself to the strains Lady In Red. The crowd were on their feet swaying to the soundtrack

Simon Cowell – who has returned to the judging panel for this 11th series – said: “I like the fact we don’t know who you are. It was simple … clever, unique, brilliant.”

Tape Face got a resounding “yes” from all four judges, and his website briefly crashed under the weight of American audiences googling his name.

Wills lives in London.

Original article by Chortle, June 1, 2016.

Photo by Trae Patton/NBC.