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Tonight’s episode of The World’s Best will feature another Battle Round. Each of the contestants will be split up into groups to attempt to make it to the next round and avoid elimination. The contestants will be divided into different groups: Solo Music, Group Music, Solo Variety, and Group Variety, and sent to compete against one another in their categories.
So who was eliminated on tonight’s 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.
Tonight’s Competitors
- Spain’s Los Vivancos (“The Matadors of Dance”) vs Korea’s Kukkiwon (“The Flying Taekwondo Masters”)
- Australia’s Space Cowboy (“The Dangerous Man”) vs Great Britain’s Nina Conti (“The Master Ventriloquist”)
- United States’ William Close (“The Earth Harp Collective”) vs United States’ Naturally 7 (“The Human Instruments”)
- China’s Duo Suining (“The Impossible Balancing Duo”) vs Germany’s Dundu (“The Giants of Light”)
Los Vivancos vs Kukkiwon
Los Vivancos incorporated a number of elements into their performance, including instruments and props upon which they could dance. The judges were wowed when they climbed atop a spinning acrobatic device that allowed two of the group’s dancers to circle each other and dance simultaneously. RuPaul called their performance “fantastic”, while Faith Hill commended them for stepping their game up. Los Vivancos were given an average score of 42 from the American judges, and a total of 59 votes after the experts voted.
Kukkiwon wowed the judges immediately. One of the group broke six boards in succession, while another broke three at varying heights with repeating kicks. The cherry on top was a massive leap into the air that ended with three boards being broken simultaneously. Drew Barrymore said they were like “Bruce Lee meets Fred Astaire” and complimented their “power” and “grace.” Faith was so impressed she got onstage and had an impromptu lesson with Kukkiwon. They were given an average score of 50 from the American judges, and a total of 83 after the experts voted.
Kukkiwon snagged the win, and will be going on to compete in the championship round! Los Vivancos were eliminated.
Space Cowboy vs Nina Conti
This monkey means business. #WorldsBest
Space Cowboy vowed to stand atop an electronic machine and channel streams of electricity through his flesh. The only accouterments he had were thimbles, which he said were to prevent his fingernails from melting. He He then held a plank of wood until it caught fire and swallowed a sword. Barrymore commended Space Cowboy’s “joy” during the performance, while RuPaul jokingly questioned his sanity. Space Cowboy was given an average score of 33 from the American judges, and a total of 44 votes after the experts voted.
Nina Conti introduced her monkey character, and together they performed a guitar duet. She then allowed the monkey to hypnotize her, and when she passed out, the monkey woke her up. The monkey joked that he couldn’t speak while Conti was asleep. The monkey then sang an aria. RuPaul called her performance “cheeky” and complimented her for making it feel “modern.” Hill said that Conti was “funny as hell.” Conti was given an average score of 42 from the American judges, and a total of 81 votes after the experts voted.
Nina Conti cruised to an easy win, and will be going on to compete in the championship round! Space Cowboy was eliminated.
William Close vs Naturally 7
Close fashioned the stage as a giant guitar frame upon which he stood while he plucked chords that stretched all the way up to the ceiling. He was accompanied by a drummer and the rest of his band, Earth Harp Collective. RuPaul called the performance an amazing “spectacle” and Barrymore said that she appreciated Close’s “range” as a musician. Close was given an average score of 39 from the American judges, and a total of 40 votes after the experts voted.
Naturally 7 performed a vocally impressive rendition of the Phil Collins song “In the Air Tonight” with smoke-filled visuals. The group even recreated the song’s instantly recognizable guitar sections while dancing around a staircase set. RuPaul called the rendition “spectacular” and praised their showmanship. Hill echoed RuPaul’s sentiment, saying that they managed to cover a classic song while making it their own. Naturally 7 was given an average score of 46 from the American judges, and a total of 90 votes after the experts voted.
Naturally 7 soared to a one-sided win, and will be going on to compete in the championship round! William Close was eliminated.
Duo Suining vs Dundu
How is this even possible?! #TWBDuoSuining #WorldsBest
Duo Suining gave an impressive performance that saw them hoist themselves atop one another and balance while standing on a circular podium in the middle of the stage. They stood on top of each other, and in the most impressive bit of their performance, one balanced atop the other’s head using only their head. Barrymore said the routine was a quiet one, but commended their ability to give a performance that you “won’t see anywhere else.” RuPaul said he felt “honored” to have witnessed the duo. Duo Suining was given an average score of 38 from the American judges, and a total of 51 votes after the experts voted.
Dundu set their impressive puppetry skills against an outer space backdrop. A pair of puppets dance with one another, enacting a romance with heartbreak and reconciliation. Hill said that Dundu was capable of taking viewers to places they hadn’t been before. Barrymore said that she wish she had gotten more clarity in the storytelling. Dundu was given an average score of 41 from the American judges, and a total of 78 votes after the experts voted.
Dundu narrowly gets the win, and will be going on to compete in the championship round! Duo Suining was eliminated.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Korea’s Kukkiwon as Japan’s Kukkiwon.