Jammu’s Arshiya Sharma’s eerie dance act wows ‘America’s Got Talent’ audience

Srinagar, May 30:On the premiere of Season 19 of the American reality talent show “America’s Got Talent”, which aired on May 28, 13-year-old Arshiya Sharma from Jammu and Kashmir left both judges and audience in awe with a performance reminiscent of the classic horror film “The Exorcist” (1973).
Expecting a Disney-like performance, British music mogul and judge Simon Cowell, along with fellow judges Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel, were instead treated to a spine-chilling contortionist routine that had some audience members covering their mouths and shouting in disbelief.
Arshiya, hailing from Jammu, appeared on stage with hair ribbons and a shy smile. Introducing herself as a dancer, she expressed her desire to stand out. “I am a dancer, but I don’t want to be like others; I want to be different,” she said. “So, I tried doing gymnastics and added some flexibility moves into my dance to be different.”
After excusing herself to prepare for her routine, Arshiya re-emerged transformed. Gone were the hair ribbons and cozy sweater, replaced by tattered clothes, white contact lenses, and fake blood. A creepy dollhouse rolled onto the stage, setting the scene for a performance that would make the audience’s hair stand on end.
Performing to a distorted version of “Ring Around the Rosie,” Arshiya twisted her limbs in seemingly impossible ways, accompanied by bone-crunching sound effects. In one move, she landed on her neck; in another, she executed a mid-air backflip before landing flat on her chest. Her body seemed to invert over and over, defying natural limits.
Even Sofia Vergara tried to cover her eyes, unable to look away from the astonishing spectacle. The crowd, initially left speechless and stunned, erupted into a standing ovation as Arshiya concluded her performance.
“The chihuahua turned into a werewolf,” Cowell later remarked, encapsulating the dramatic transformation and impact of Arshiya’s routine.
This remarkable debut, marking Arshiya’s first time leaving India, showcased her extraordinary talent and left an indelible impression on both the judges and the audience.
The prodigy is not only skilled in dance but also in gymnastics. She is a national gold medallist in gymnastics and the only girl from Jammu selected for the studio round of “DID Little Master” in Mumbai. She also received a certificate of excellence for acting in the short movie “SaareJahan Se Acha Hindustan Hamara” by the National Film Festival, Noida. Additionally, she stood as the first runner-up in the national reality show “Dance Master India 2’’ aired on Ishwar Channel.
Arshiya’s debut on “America’s Got Talent” promises a bright future for this talented young performer from Jammu and Kashmir.