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Tonight’s two-hour special episode of The World’s Best featured the Battle Round, where each of the contestants were split up into groups to attempt to make it to the next round and avoid elimination. The contestants were divided into different groups: Solo Music, Group Music, Solo Variety, and Group Variety, and sent to compete against one another in their categories.
The acts that went head-to-head in “The Battle Round, Part 1” are listed below, courtesy of Broadway World:
• Japan’s Manami Ito (“The Miracle Violinist”) vs. Kazakhstan’s Daneliya Tuleshova (“The Vocal Wonder”)
• India’s Lydian Nadhaswaram (“Mini Maestro”) vs. Mongolia’s Enkh-Erdene (“The Mongolian Cowboy”)
• Italy’s Sister Cristina Scuccia (“The Singing Nun”) vs. Kazakhstan’s Dimash Kudaibergen (“The Six Octave Man”)
• United States’ Justin Flom (“King of Cards”) vs. United States’ Jordan McKnight (“Twisted Sister”)
• Great Britain’s Matt Johnson (“The Drowning Man”) vs. China’s Li Wei (“Slackline Daredevil”)
For those who need a refresher, The World’s Best, CBS’ new hit talent show, features contestants from all over the world who will get a chance to showcase their talents and battle it out to become “the world’s best” and take home one million dollars. The CBS competition, which is hosted by James Corden, will be judged by Drew Barrymore, RuPaul Charles and Faith Hill.
The contestant aim to impress the judges and break through the “wall of the world,” which is made up of over 50 entertainment experts from around the world, according to International Business Times. The experts offer feedback to the contestants and help decide who will move forward in the competition. The American judges score each act from 1 to 50, and their scores are averaged. Each approving expert gets one point, and the combined scores are added up, with 75 needed to advance.
In case you missed the episode tonight, and don’t want anything spoiled for you, this is your OFFICIAL SPOILER WARNING! Turn back now or proceed at your own risk.
So who was eliminated on the fourth episode of The World’s Best? Continue reading for details regarding tonight’s episode, including the winners, losers, and reactions of the fans and judges, with LIVE UPDATES throughout the episode.
Manami Ito vs. Daneliya Tuleshova
Manami Ito, the “Miracle Violinist,” left several of the world experts in tears while she performed. The American judges showered her in compliments, calling her a “humbling, inspiration,” and marveling at her passion and will to succeed. She was also tearfully told how she is a daily reminder of what we all are – “perfectly imperfect,” by one of the Wall of the World judges. Ito was given an average score of 37 from the American judges, and a total of 60 after the experts voted.
Daneliya Tuleshova, also known as the “Vocal Wonder,” had the audience clapping and cheering through her entire performance. With the voice of a much older musician, she left the judges breathless and complimenting the young lady with comments like “the birth of a child superstar,” and “mature, powerful and grounding.” The American judges gave her an average score of 44 and the experts brought her score up to 71.
The Vocal Wonder snagged the win, and will be going on to compete in the championship round!
Lydian Nadhaswaram vs. Enkh-Erdene
The battle begins TONIGHT. Who will survive? #TWBLydian “The Mini Maestro” or #TWBEnkh “The Mongolian Cowboy”? #WorldsBest
Nadhaswaram’s fingers were on fire, and although his piano piece was short and sweet, he nonetheless made an impression on the judges and audience. He followed up his performance with a blindfolded rendition of Mozart’s “Turkish March,” which left the judges speechless and received an explosive response from the audience. The judges called him a “perfect gentleman” with incredible talent (the word ‘incredible’ was used frequently), and gave the “Mini Maestro” an average score of 43. The world experts brought his score up to 74.
Enkh-Erdene, the “Mongolian Cowboy,” says he “isn’t here to lose,” and although he mentioned how talented Nadhaswaram’s performance was (which left him a little nervous), he came on stage with some country heat. His low, dulcet tones matched Josh Turner’s beautifully while singing “Your Man,” which even grabbed a comment from one of the experts on how “sexy” his voice is. Enkh-Erdene snagged an average score of 45 from the American judges, which led to a 64 after the experts weighed in, putting him behind Nadhaswaram by 10 and inevitabley sending him home.
The Mini Maestro will be going on to the next round to keep fighting for “the world’s best” title!
Sister Cristina Scuccia vs. Dimash Kudaibergen
Sister Cristina Scuccia, otherwise known as “The Singing Nun,” performed a beautiful, slower version of Madonna’s “Like a Virgin,” surrounded by hundreds of candles on a raised platform, drawing plenty of cheers from the audience and “chills” from some of the Wall of the World experts. Some of the judges feedback included how impressed they were that she was “bringing the church back into the 21st century.” She garnered an average score of 35 from the American judges, and the experts brought her score up to a 39.
“The Six Octave Man” Dimash Kudaibergen brought the house down with a powerful rendition of Celine Dion’s “All By Myself,” which brought the judges to their feet. His wide range of vocals and intense stage presence received an explosive response from the audience and judges alike, with comments on how “impossible it is to describe” his gift and “a star is born.” Kudaibergen earned an average score of 48 from the American judges, and the experts brought his score up to 94.
The Six Octave Man reeled in the most points by a landslide, and will be continuing on to the next round!
Justin Flom vs. Jordan McKnight
Flom, the “King of Cards,” blew judge Drew Barrymore away with his smoking card trick before moving on to the other judges with an impressive (and slightly disturbing) neck trick. All three judges were amazed by his tricks, and the Wall of the World experts were just as shocked and impressed. He was able to snag an average of 45 from the American judges and an 80 altogether.
Jordan McKnight has the confidence of 10 contortionists, and the talent to back it up. Her performance was the bendiest, most balanced performance yet, and her flower finale blew the judges out of the water. McKnight was able to garner a 42 average and a total score of 57, which left her trailing behind Flom.
Flom, the King of Cards, wins the battle tonight, and will move on in the competition!
Matt Johnson vs. Li Wei
Two shocking acts, but only one can move forward. Who will it be: #TWBLiWei or #TWBMatt? Find out tonight on The #WorldsBest.
Matt Johnson, the “Drowning Man,” put on yet another heart-racing performance that had the judges, experts and audience on the edge of their seats. Johnson said he has only performed the stunt once before, and never tried again because of how dangerous it was the first time. Running the risk of being seriously burned, Johnson attempted to escape from a straight jacket while hanging from a fiery chain. The crowd and judges cheered him on, some watching through clasped hands. He managed to escape the straight jacket and restraints with only ONE second left on the clock. Needless to say, the judges found it exhilarating and suspenseful, and the crowd went wild. Johnson was given an average score of 34 from the American judges, and a total of 51 after the experts voted.
“Slackline Daredevil” Li Wei performed a daring, incredibly balanced and talented trick on the slackline, while getting rave reactions from the audience and expert judges. After he was handed a flowery unicycle, the crowd went wild, watching Wei balance upside down on the unicycle and pedal across the line. After pulling host James Corden on the line, Wei got plenty of laughs and cheers from the audience. The judges were blown away, and Wei was given an average score of 40 from the American judges, and an additional 33 from the experts, bringing his score up to 73.
The Slackline Daredevil took home the win this evening, and will be going on to the championship round!
Tune in Wednesday’s at 8 p.m. EST/PT to catch the newest episode of The World’s Best, and don’t forget to cast your vote!
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