UPDATE: At the very end of the two-hour America's Got Talent Wednesday night, judges included Juan Carlos among the 48 contestants who they decided to send to the next round of the national talent competition. He leaves for New York Monday to perform at Radio City Music Hall next week.
------------------
Sparklers were passed around MKT Bar at Phoenicia Specialty Foods as family, friends and fans of Juan Carlos who had gathered for an America's Got Talent viewing party Tuesday night waited for word whether the Montrose rollerblading sensation would move on to the next round of the hit NBC show, at Radio City Music Hall in New York, or return to his regular spot at the corner of Montrose and Allen Parkway in Houston.
There was no cause for celebration and no need to light the fireworks. But no reason to mourn either — as the results for his group of competitors were not revealed. Instead, Juan Carlos — and the rest of America — will find out tonight if he moves on in the national competition when the show airs (7 - 9 p.m. on Channel 2).
Although fans were disappointed at the end, the evening was festive, largely due to the dancer's contagious smile and upbeat personality.
Although fans were disappointed at the end, the evening was festive, largely due to the dancer's contagious smile and upbeat personality. (Not to mention his black be-dazzled Spandex jumpsuit with matching roller blades — the same outfit he wore on Tuesday night's show, which was filmed in Las Vegas).
Prior to his performance, which came late in the two-hour show, fans chanted "Juan, Juan, Juan!" whenever a promo appeared. As the night went on, fans snapped cell phone pictures with Juan as he rollerbladed around the bar, just as he did at his first viewing party. Fans were spotted wearing We ♥ #JuanAndOnly pins and some even drew mustaches on their face to look like Juan Carlos (who doesn't use his last name).
Judges Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Mel B seemed to enjoy his charisma, sassy personality and awesome dance moves. But judge Howard Stern was emphatically opposed to the performance, saying the dancer wasn't funny in either audition. The bar erupted in boos when Stern expressed his disapproval towards Juan Carlos and cheered when Mandel shared his positive feedback.
Even though he was just as confused as anyone in the room that the results weren't revealed, Juan Carlos was philosophical, perhaps because he knows the outcome. "I guess we're just going to have to wait and see what happens," he said.
Juan Carlos rollerbladed around the restaurant the entire night in a pair of homemade sparkling skates.
