During the Season 13 premiere of America’s Got Talent, host Tyra Banks hit the Golden Buzzer after watching the audition of Brazilian dance troupe Zurcaroh. They don’t claim to be professional dancers, “everyone is welcome,” says the founder but they sure looked like professionals on the AGT stage. On the second round of AGT auditions (Tuesday, June 5), another dance troupe will perform — Da RepubliK. The hip hop troupe of 16 dancers claims to be the first Dominicans to audition on America’s Got Talent. (DR is also short for Dominican Republic.)
Da RepubliK was created by husband-and-wife team Jonathan Castillo and Larybel Olivero de Castillo. Last year they lost one of their principal dancers, Brangie Ortiz. He died of a chronic illness “that in any other country would have been under control,” according to the DR Facebook page. The dance crew has promised to provide for his family (wife and five children) and dedicate their AGT performance to him. America’s Got Talent (AGT) airs Tuesdays at 8pm on NBC.
