♪♪ ANNOUNCER 1: JOIN US FOR THE NEXT HOUR AS THE REGION'S TOP TALENTED TEENS COMPETE FOR PRIZES AND SCHOLARSHIPS ON THE STAGE OF THE "FABULOUS FOX THEATRE" IN THE TWELFTH ANNUAL TEEN TALENT COMPETITION.

ANNOUNCER 2: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME TO THE STAGE YOUR HOST FOR TONIGHT, MR. BEN NORDSTROM!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: HELLO, ST. LOUIS!

IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK ONSTAGE LIVE AT THE "FABULOUS FOX!"

WE ARE HERE AT THE TWELFTH ANNUAL ST. LOUIS TEEN TALENT COMPETITION.

ARE YOU FEELING THE ENERGY TONIGHT?

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] WE'VE BEEN WINGING IT FOR TWO YEARS, BUT NOW IT'S TIME TO SWING IT!

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ BEN: ALRIGHT!

LET'S MEET TONIGHT'S DISTINGUISHED PANEL OF JUDGES.

FIRST UP, CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF DANCE AT "COCA," ANTONIO DOUTHIT-BOYD!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] MUSIC DIRECTOR, CARL NAPPA!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] DANCE EDUCATOR, ALICE BLOCH!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] VOCALIST AND PERFORMER, ANITA JACKSON!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BROADWAY PERFORMER AND CURRENTLY APPEARING ON TV'S "KENAN", TAYLOR LOUDERMAN!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ARTISTIC OPERATIONS MANAGER AT THE "ST. LOUIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA," AUDREY KWONG!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] AND, FINALLY, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER AT "THE MUNY", MIKE ISAACSON!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: HEY!

GIVE IT UP FOR THE TELLERETTES!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: ALRIGHT, AND RIGHT NOW, I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE ALL OF YOU TO TONIGHT'S FINALISTS.

FIRST UP, TONY PITTMAN FROM FORT ZUMWALT EAST HIGH SCHOOL!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] LUCY SCHENE FROM KIRKWOOD HIGH SCHOOL!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE CONTINUE THROUGHOUT] "TRIFECTA" -- DENNIS BAILEY, ELIOT BAILEY AND ETHAN RYAN -- ALL HOMESCHOOLED; NOAH VAN ESS FROM LINDBERGH HIGH SCHOOL; GRACE WOLF FROM CLAYTON HIGH SCHOOL; WILSON GAO FROM PARKWAY WEST HIGH SCHOOL; KENNEDY HALE FROM FESTUS HIGH SCHOOL; "KYPE DRUM WARRIORS" -- CORRIN WARD FROM CARNAHAN HIGH SCHOOL, ISMAIL BOTCHWAY FROM COLLEGIATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND BIOSCIENCE, AND SOLOMON AHMED FROM GRAND CENTER ARTS ACADEMY; SHANIYA PERRY FROM INNOVATION SCHOOL AT COOL VALLEY; HANNAH STEBE FROM FORT ZUMWALT EAST HIGH SCHOOL; AUBORY BUGG, WHO IS HOMESCHOOLED; LEXIE ANTOLIK FROM COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL; KURTIS SCHMIDT FROM SECKMAN HIGH SCHOOL; AND FINN McNAMEE FROM METRO ACADEMIC AND CLASSICAL HIGH SCHOOL!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE CONTINUE] BEN: ALRIGHT, TELLERETTES, LET'S BRING IT ON HOME.

A-ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR!

[TAPPING MUSIC] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [MUSIC ENDS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: HEY, HEY!

HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING TONIGHT?

WOMAN: WOO!

BEN: MY NAME IS BEN NORDSTROM, AND I AM THRILLED TO BE YOUR HOST TONIGHT FOR OUR TWELFTH CONSECUTIVE TEEN TALENT COMPETITION THANKS TO COUNTLESS, COUNTLESS PEOPLE WHO KEPT US GOING FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.

NOW, IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME WITH US, YOU ARE IN FOR AN INCREDIBLE NIGHT.

TONIGHT IS THE CULMINATION OF A BI-STATE COMPETITION IN WHICH WE SAW 104 ACTS TOTAL.

OUR SEMI-FINALS BROUGHT THAT NUMBER DOWN TO 42, AND TONIGHT ALL OF YOU WILL MEET THE 14 FINALISTS WHO HAVE MADE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE "FABULOUS FOX" STAGE.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] OUR JUDGES, WHO YOU MET EARLIER, HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT TASK AHEAD OF THEM.

THE JUDGES WILL BE SCORING OUR FINALISTS IN THE FOLLOWING FOUR CATEGORIES: TECHNICAL ABILITY, INTERPRETATION, STAGE PRESENCE, AND ORIGINALITY.

AND, ONCE AGAIN, THEIR SCORES WILL BE TABULATED BY "ANDERS", THE OFFICIAL TEEN-TALENT ACCOUNTING FIRM, OKAY?

WE HAVE GOT SO MUCH EXCITEMENT TONIGHT.

THE FINALISTS ARE READY TO BRING YOU EVERYTHING THEY'VE GOT.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE SHOW TO BEGIN?

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] I SAID, ARE YOU READY TO SEE TONIGHT'S FINALISTS?

[LOUDER CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] LET'S GET STARTED WITH OUR FIRST FINALIST OF THE EVENING.

THIS IS A MODERN DANCER.

PLEASE WELCOME TO THE STAGE 16-YEAR-OLD TONY PITTMAN PERFORMING "EARTHQUAKE."

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [DRUM MUSIC] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [MUSIC ENDS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: ALRIGHT, AND NOW WE ARE GONNA GO TO THE WORLD OF MUSICAL THEATER.

FROM THE MUSICAL, "DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS", THIS IS 17-YEAR-OLD LUCY SCHENE SINGING "HERE I AM."

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [FANFARE MUSIC] ♪♪ ♪ WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT COFFERED CEILING ♪ ♪ LOOK AT THAT CHANDELIER ♪ ♪ EXCUSE ME, BUT HOW I'M FEELING ♪ ♪ IS A HUNDRED-PROOF ♪ ♪ I COULD RAISE THE ROOF ♪ ♪ I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE ♪ ♪ I'VE BEEN KIND OF MISSING MOM AND DADDY ♪ ♪ SORT OF IN A SPIN SINCE CINCINNATI ♪ ♪ THE MORNING FLIGHT, A MAJOR BORE ♪ ♪ BUT THEN THEY OPEN THE CABIN DOOR ♪ ♪ AND ZOOT ALORS, HERE I AM!

♪ ♪ LORD KNOWS I HAD THE WILL AND THE RESOURCES ♪ ♪ BUT MOM AND DAD KEPT SAYING, "HOLD YOUR HORSES."

♪ ♪ I GUESS THE PONIES COULDN'T WAIT ♪ ♪ PARDON ME, FOLKS, THEY'VE LEFT THE GATE ♪ ♪ I MAY BE LATE, BUT HERE I AM!

♪ ♪ AH, THE WAY TO BE, TO ME, IS FRENCH ♪ ♪ THE WAY THEY SAY "LA VIE" IS FRENCH ♪ ♪ SO, HERE I AM, BEAUMONT SUR MER, ♪ ♪ A BIG TWO WEEKS ON THE RIVIERA ♪ ♪ IF I'M ONLY DREAMING, PLEASE DON'T WAKE ME ♪ ♪ LET THE SUMMER SUN AND BREEZES TAKE ME ♪ ♪ EXCUSE ME IF I SEEM JEJEUNE ♪ ♪ I PROMISE I'LL FIND MY MARBLES SOON ♪ ♪ BUT EVERYWHERE I LOOK ♪ ♪ IT'S LIKE A SCENE FROM A BOOK ♪ ♪ OPEN THE BOOK AND HERE I AM!

♪ ♪ I MEAN, THE AIR IS FRENCH ♪ ♪ THAT CHAIR IS FRENCH ♪ ♪ THIS NICE SINCERE SANCERRE IS FRENCH ♪ ♪ THE SKIES ARE FRENCH ♪ ♪ THE PIES ARE FRENCH ♪ ♪ THOSE GUYS ARE FRENCH ♪ ♪ THESE FRIES ARE FRENCH!

♪ ♪ PARDON ME IF I FLY OFF THE HANDLE ♪ ♪ NOWHERE ELSE ON EARTH CAN HOLD A CANDLE ♪ ♪ SO, VENI, VIDI, VICI, FOLKS ♪ ♪ LET'S FACE IT, "JE SUIS ICI," FOLKS!

♪ ♪ EXCUSEZ-MOI IF I SPOUT ♪ ♪ I'M LETTING MY "JE NE SAIS QOI" OUT ♪ ♪ I'M SORRY TO SHOUT, BUT HERE I AM!

♪ [MUSIC ENDS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] OUR THIRD FINALIST IS A TRIO SPECIALTY ACT CALLED "TRIFECTA."

PLEASE WELCOME TO THE STAGE 14-YEAR-OLD DENNIS BAILEY, 17-YEAR-OLD ELIOT BAILEY, AND 17-YEAR-OLD ETHAN RYAN.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪♪ ♪♪ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] ♪♪ ♪♪ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] ♪♪ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [DRUMROLL] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪♪ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] FINALIST NUMBER FOUR WILL BE PERFORMING "LET IT SING" FROM THE MUSICAL, "VIOLET."

PLEASE WELCOME 16-YEAR-OLD NOAH VAN ESS.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪♪ ♪ RAISE YOUR FOOT, NOW THAT'S THE WAY ♪ ♪ YOU'LL BE MOVIN' ON TODAY ♪ ♪ RAISE THE OTHER, PUT IT DOWN ♪ ♪ NOW YOU'RE HEADED INTO TOWN ♪ ♪ OH, BOY, YOU GOT LEFT, RIGHT?

♪ ♪ OH, BOY, AIN'T THAT RIGHT?

♪ ♪ GOT SOME YEARS AHEAD TO GO ♪ ♪ YOU'LL GO FREE WHEN YOU TAKE IT SLOW ♪ ♪ WHOA, BOY, YOU GOT LEFT, RIGHT?

♪ ♪ OH, BOY, AIN'T THAT RIGHT?

♪ ♪ TWO KINDS OF PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD ♪ ♪ SOME SAY YES AND SOME SAY NO ♪ ♪ TIME TO SAY WHICH SIDE YOU'RE ON ♪ ♪ EEENY MEENY MINEY MOE ♪ ♪ SAY YES AND YOUR ADVENTURES START ♪ ♪ NOT ALWAYS AS EXPECTED ♪ ♪ SAY NO, YOU STAY APART ♪ ♪ BUT YOU STAY PROTECTED ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE YOURSELF A REASON TO REJOICE ♪ ♪ FOR THE MUSIC YOU MAKE COUNTS FOR EVERYTHING ♪ ♪ NOW EVERY LIVING SOUL HAS GOT A VOICE ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE IT ROOM ♪ ♪ AND LET IT SING ♪ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪ MY FAMILY NEVER HAD TOO MUCH ♪ ♪ MADE THE BEST OF EVERY DAY ♪ ♪ ATE WHAT'S ON OUR PLATES, YOU KNOW ♪ ♪ NEVER THREW A THING AWAY ♪ ♪ WE KEPT OUR NIGHTMARES ON THE SHELF ♪ ♪ OUR DREAMS WERE ON THE TABLE ♪ ♪ PASS THEM DOWN AND HELP YOURSELF ♪ ♪ AS LONG AS YOU ARE ABLE ♪ ♪ MY MAMA TOLD ME, ♪ ♪ "SON, FORGET WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN.

♪ ♪ "GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK.

WHATEVER'S HAPPENING ♪ ♪ "DON'T LET YOUR SPIRIT, SON, COME CLOSING IN.

♪ ♪ "YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE IT ROOM AND LET IT, LET IT SING!

♪ ♪ "YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE IT ROOM AND LET IT SING!

♪ ♪ "YOU'VE GOT TO LIFT UP YOUR VOICE AND SING!"

♪ ♪ GOT SOME YEARS AHEAD TO GO ♪ ♪ YOU'LL GO FREE WHEN YOU TAKE IT SLOW ♪ ♪ GOT SOME YEARS, IT WON'T BE LONG ♪ ♪ AND YOU'LL BE FREE TO SING YOUR SONG ♪ ♪ WHOA, BOY, YOU GOT LEFT, RIGHT?

♪ ♪ OH, BOY ♪ ♪ THIS PRECIOUS LITTLE, REALLY, FOLKS LIKE US CONTROL ♪ ♪ BUT YOU CAN MAKE YOUR MUSIC FROM THE SIMPLEST THINGS ♪ ♪ AND YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S GOT TO TEND YOUR SOUL ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE IT ROOM AND LET IT ♪ ♪ LET IT SING!

♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT TO GIVE IT ROOM AND LET IT SING ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT TO LET IT SING ♪ ♪ YOU'VE GOT TO LET IT SING!

♪ ♪ YOU GOT TO GIVE IT ROOM ♪ ♪ AND LET IT... ♪ [MUSICAL STING] ♪ ...SING!

♪ [MUSIC ENDS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: OUR FIFTH FINALIST IS A CONTEMPORARY BALLET DANCER.

THIS IS 16-YEAR-OLD GRACE WOLF DANCING TO THE THEME FROM "SCHINDLER'S LIST."

SHE CALLS THE PIECE, "SHATTERED."

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [THEME FROM "SCHINDLER'S LIST" BY JOHN WILLIAMS] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [MUSIC ENDS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] NOW WE HAVE SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IN OUR LINEUP.

OUR SIXTH FINALIST IS A CLASSICAL PIANIST.

THIS IS 17-YEAR-OLD WILSON GAO PLAYING TOCCATAS OPUS IN D MINOR, "OPUS 11."

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [PIANO MUSIC] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [SONG ENDS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: OUR NEXT FINALIST IS A MODERN DANCER PERFORMING A PIECE ENTITLED, "THE AGE OF INFLUENCE", TO A POEM CALLED, "SOCIAL MEDIA", BY SHEA.

HERE IS 15-YEAR-OLD KENNEDY HALE.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] GIRL: [SPOKEN] HONESTLY, YOU'RE PERFECT YOU'RE SO COOL I LOVE THE FEED CAN WE TAKE PICS OF OUR COOL THINGS AND OUR COOL 'FITS, OUR SMILES PASTED LIKE PLASTIC ON A TWO-BY-TWO SQUARE-INCH FLICK SO EVERYONE CAN SEE HOW PERFECT WE ARE?

CAN WE HANG?

CAN WE BRUNCH TOMORROW?

"BUTCHER'S DAUGHTER" OR ANYWHERE IN SOHO WITH BRICK WALLS AND BARE LIGHT BULBS CAN WE LINK?

CAN WE HIT "1 OAK" TONIGHT?

BLACK DRESS, LOUIS V, RED LIPS PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO TAG ME AND THE GUY WEARING "COMME DES GARÇONS" I JUST MET HIM YESTERDAY BUT HE SHOOTS FOR "I.M.G."

I KNOW!

YOU'RE SO LUCKY I'M LIKE SIZE FOUR NEED YOUR LEGS NEED YOUR CHEEKBONES THAT YOU SKIPPED LUNCH FOR CAN WE POSE BY THAT DOOR OOH, OOH, OOH, MAKE THE CAPTION, "SMILE MORE" YEAH, "SMILE MORE" OR "LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE" OR "WANDERLUST" OR "I'M A SILLY DORK" LET THEM KNOW WE SMILE, WE LAUGH, WE LOVE OUR LIFE WE LOVE OUR LIFE WE LOVE OUR LIFE WE LOVE OUR LIKES OUR COMMENTS, OUR COMMON INTERESTS BEING THAT WE LIKE BEING LIKED WE ONLY HAVE GOOD TIMES WITH GOOD FRIENDS IN GOOD PLACES JUST GOOD VIBES WE CHOOSE TO BE EFFORTLESS AT ALL TIMES "SNAPCHAT" STORY POURING WITH PARTIES WATCH MY DAY, SEE ME SLAY, BROWN SKIN TAN JUST JUICE CLEANSE AND "FitTea" PROP UP YOUR PINKIE LIKE SO IT'S TRICKY TO SIP YOUR MIMOSA WITHOUT GAINING THE CALORIES BUT JUST LOVE YOURSELF LIKE WE LOVE OUR LIFE WE LOVE OUR LIFE WE LOVE OUR LIKES OUR COMMENTS, OUR COMMON INTERESTS BEING THAT WE LIKE BEING LIKED BECAUSE TRUTH IS WE DON'T KNOW WHO WE ARE OR WHAT WE STAND FOR WE DON'T QUITE WRITE OR READ WE'RE NOT EVEN REALLY FRIENDS WITH THAT "IT" GIRL BUT WE WANT TO BE UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE HAS "IT" UNTIL WE HAVE "IT" "IT" BEING COOL "IT" BEING NOW "IT" BEING FRESH YOUNG POOL OF UNSURE GIRLS IN AN ARTIFICIAL WORLD I'M NOT LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS WE'RE NOT LIKE THE OTHER GIRLS WE HAVE 12K FOLLOWERS BUT NO REAL FRIENDS WE'RE EXCLUSIVELY EXOSKELETON WE HIDE PAST "BATTLE SPOT" TO BE QUITE HONEST, WE'RE BORING AND WE'VE NEVER HAD AN ORIGINAL THOUGHT AND ONE DAY... ONE DAY, WE WILL FINALLY TASTE PERFECT AND IT STILL WON'T BE ENOUGH BUT CLICK, SHARE, SCREENSHOT, LIKE LET ME KNOW WHICH EDIT IS BETTER HEART EMOJI I MISS BEACH WEATHER RED BIKINI, SILLY CAPTION, RECYCLED FASHION, WAIST TRAINER BLACK-CULTURE APPROPRIATOR MAKEUP TOUCH-UP, SPRAY SKIN, ALL SAME, NEW INSANE JOB CREATIVE DIRECTOR, FASHION BLOGGER WEAR LESS AND "L.E.S."

V.I.P.

WE KNOW THE PROMOTER WE LOVE OUR LIFE WE LOVE OUR LIFE WE LOVE OUR LIFE WE LOVE OUR LIFE WE LOVE... [PHONE CHIRPS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] WE HAVE THE "KUUMBA YOUTH PERFORMING ENSEMBLE DRUM WARRIORS."

HERE ARE 16-YEAR-OLDS SOLOMON AHMED AND CORRIN WARD AND 15-YEAR-OLD ISMAIL BOTCHWAY.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [DRUM MUSIC] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ I SAY!

HEY!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ALRIGHT, MY FRIENDS, WE HAVE GOT A LOT MORE TALENT COMING YOUR WAY, SO LET'S GET TO IT.

WE ARE GONNA KICK OFF THE SECOND PORTION OF OUR SHOW BY GOING BACK TO THE WORLD OF MUSICAL THEATER.

PLEASE WELCOME 17-YEAR-OLD SHANIYA PERRY SINGING "EASY AS LIFE" FROM THE BROADWAY MUSICAL, "AIDA."

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪♪ ♪ THIS IS THE MOMENT ♪ ♪ WHEN THE GODS EXPECT ME TO BEG FOR HELP ♪ ♪ BUT I WON'T EVEN TRY ♪ ♪ I WANT NOTHING IN THE WORLD ♪ ♪ BUT MYSELF TO PROTECT ME ♪ ♪ AND I WON'T LIE DOWN, ROLL OVER AND DIE ♪ [MUSIC CONTINUES] ♪ ALL I HAVE TO DO IS FORGET ♪ ♪ HOW MUCH I LOVE HIM ♪ ♪ ALL I HAVE TO DO IS PUT MY LONGING TO ONE SIDE ♪ ♪ TELL MYSELF THAT LOVE'S ♪ ♪ AN EVER-CHANGING SITUATION ♪ ♪ PASSION WOULD HAVE COOLED ♪ ♪ AND ALL THE MAGIC WOULD HAVE DIED ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ALL I HAVE TO DO IS PRETEND ♪ ♪ I NEVER KNEW HIM ♪ ♪ ON THOSE VERY RARE OCCASIONS WHEN HE STEALS INTO MY HEART ♪ ♪ BETTER TO HAVE LOST HIM ♪ ♪ WHEN THE TIES WERE BARELY BINDING ♪ ♪ BETTER THE CONTEMPT OF THE FAMILIAR CANNOT START ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY ♪ ♪♪ ♪ UNTIL I THINK ABOUT HIM ♪ ♪ AS HE WAS WHEN I LAST TOUCHED HIM ♪ ♪ AND HOW HE WOULD HAVE BEEN ♪ ♪ WERE I TO BE WITH HIM TODAY ♪ ♪ THOSE VERY RARE OCCASIONS DON'T LET UP ♪ ♪ THEY KEEP ON COMING ♪ ♪ ALL I EVER WANTED AND I'M THROWING IT AWAY ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY AS LIFE ♪ ♪ AND THOUGH I'LL THINK ABOUT HIM ♪ ♪ TILL THE EARTH DRAWS IN AROUND ME ♪ ♪ AND THOUGH I CHOOSE TO LEAVE HIM ♪ ♪ FOR ANOTHER KIND OF LOVE ♪ ♪ THIS IS NO DENIAL, NO BETRAYAL, BUT REDEMPTION ♪ ♪ REDEEMED IN MY OWN EYES AND IN THE PANTHEON ABOVE ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY AS LIFE ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY AS LIFE ♪ ♪ IT'S EASY AS LIFE!

♪ [MUSIC ENDS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: NEXT UP WE HAVE ANOTHER DANCER.

THIS IS 18-YEAR-OLD HANNAH STEBE PERFORMING "BODY LANGUAGE."

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ["BODY LANGUAGE" BY QUEEN] ♪♪ ♪ GIVE ME ♪ ♪ BODY ♪ ♪ GIVE ME ♪ ♪ BODY, BODY ♪ ♪ GIVE ME YOUR BODY ♪ ♪ DON'T TALK, DON'T TALK, DON'T TALK ♪ ♪ (DON'T TALK, DON'T TALK) ♪ ♪ BABY, DON'T TALK!

♪ ♪ BODY LANGUAGE ♪ ♪ BODY LANGUAGE ♪ ♪ BODY LANGUAGE ♪ ♪♪ ♪ GIVE ME YOUR BODY ♪ ♪ JUST GIVE ME, YEAH, YOUR BODY ♪ ♪ GIVE ME, YEAH, YOUR BODY ♪ ♪♪ ♪ LOOK AT ME, I GOT A CASE OF BODY LANGUAGE ♪ ♪ LOOK AT ME, I GOT A CASE OF BODY LANGUAGE ♪ ♪ LOOK AT ME, I GOT A CASE OF BODY LANGUAGE ♪ ♪ LOOK AT ME, I GOT A CASE OF BODY LANGUAGE ♪ ♪ A BODY LANGUAGE, A BODY LANGUAGE ♪ ♪♪ ♪ YEAH!

♪ [SONG ENDS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ALRIGHT, OUR NEXT CONTESTANT IS MULTI-TALENTED.

SHE'LL BE SINGING AND ACCOMPANYING HERSELF ON THE GUITAR.

HERE IS 17-YEAR-OLD AUBORY BUGG AND "DANCING IN THE STREET."

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [GUITAR MUSIC] ♪ IT WAS COMING DOWN IN SHEETS ♪ ♪ YOU WERE STARING BACK AT ME ♪ ♪ IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET THAT NIGHT ♪ ♪ IT WAS DARK BUT I COULD SEE IT ♪ ♪ IN THE MORNING I WOULD SEE YOU IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT ♪ ♪ I KNEW BETTER ♪ ♪ I SAW YOUR FEET OFF THE GROUND ♪ ♪ I KNEW BETTER ♪ ♪ SOMETHING WAS HOLDING ♪ ♪ ME DOWN I KNEW BETTER ♪ ♪ AND STILL I SPUN YOU AROUND ♪ ♪ FOR A MOMENT WE... ♪ ♪ WE WERE DANCING IN THE STREET LIKE PEOPLE DO ♪ ♪ DANCING IN THE STREET, HIDING THE TRUTH ♪ ♪ DANCING IN THE STREET LIKE PEOPLE DO ♪ ♪ WHEN THEY'RE IN LOVE ♪ ♪ OOH ♪ ♪ THERE IN THE STREET LIGHT, WE BOTH KNEW IT WAS COMING ♪ ♪ DOWN IN SHEETS ♪ ♪ YOU WERE STARING BACK AT ME ♪ ♪ LIKE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE THAT NIGHT ♪ ♪ HOLDING TIGHT 'CAUSE YOU COULD FEEL IT ♪ ♪ IN THE MORNING I WOULD SEE YOU IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT ♪ ♪ YOU KNEW BETTER ♪ ♪ AND STILL YOU KEPT ME AROUND ♪ ♪ YOU KNEW BETTER ♪ ♪ SOMETHING WAS HOLDING ME DOWN ♪ ♪ YOU KNEW BETTER ♪ ♪ AND STILL I SPUN YOU AROUND ♪ ♪ AND FOR A MOMENT WE... ♪ ♪ WE WERE DANCING IN THE STREET LIKE PEOPLE DO ♪ ♪ DANCING IN THE STREET, HIDING THE TRUTH ♪ ♪ DANCING IN THE STREET LIKE PEOPLE DO ♪ ♪ WHEN THEY'RE IN LOVE ♪ ♪ OOH ♪ ♪ THERE IN THE STREET LIGHT, WE BOTH KNEW ♪ ♪ THERE IN THE STREET LIGHT, WE BOTH KNEW, ♪ ♪ SUDDENLY MORNING CAME AND ALL THE RAIN HAD GONE AWAY ♪ ♪ AND WHEN WE WOKE UP FROM A DREAM, ♪ ♪ DARLING, EVERYTHING HAD CHANGED ♪ ♪ AND THOUGH IT'S OVER AND WE KNOW IT ♪ ♪ WOULD YOU KNOW THAT I CARE?

♪ ♪ WOULD YOU KNOW THAT I CARE?

♪ ♪ WE WERE DANCING IN THE STREET LIKE PEOPLE DO ♪ ♪ DANCING IN THE STREET, HIDING THE TRUTH ♪ ♪ DANCING IN THE STREET LIKE PEOPLE DO ♪ ♪ WHEN THEY'RE IN LOVE ♪ ♪ OOH ♪ ♪ THERE IN THE STREET LIGHT, WE BOTH KNEW ♪ ♪ THERE IN THE STREET LIGHT, WE BOTH KNEW ♪ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: I TOLD YOU GUYS WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENT FOR YOU TONIGHT.

AND TO KEEP THINGS MOVING RIGHT ALONG, NEXT UP WE'VE GOT 16-YEAR-OLD LEXIE ANTOLIK DANCING A SELF-CHOREOGRAPHED PIECE ENTITLED, "NEVER GIVE UP."

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] MAN: [SPOKEN] REMEMBER THE TIME WHEN YOU WANTED MORE.

REMEMBER THE TIME WHEN THERE WERE PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE THAT DID NOT BELIEVE IN YOU.

REMEMBER THE TIME WHEN YOU HONESTLY GAVE UP ON THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE UNIQUENESS THAT YOU HAD INSIDE.

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THAT THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER IDEA ABOUT YOU.

AND YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING EVEN GREATER AND MORE CHALLENGING WAITING FOR YOU.

AND IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO STEP OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE, IF YOU'RE NOT WILLING TO UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLES AND THE POSSIBILITIES THAT YOU HAVE WITHIN YOURSELF, THEN EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE THRIVING FOR, EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE HUNGRY FOR WILL SOON COME TO AN END.

BUT YET YOU'RE STILL COMPLAINING.

YOU DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT TO JUST GIVE UP.

YOU DON'T HAVE THAT RIGHT TO JUST THROW IN THE TOWEL AND SAY THAT IT'S OVER FOR YOU.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE TEND TO GET A LITTLE LAZY.

SOMETIMES PEOPLE LIKE TO PUT THEMSELVES IN THIS LITTLE BITTY BOX AND JUST SAY THAT THEY'RE OKAY WITH WHERE THEY ARE.

ONE THING ABOUT SUCCESS: THERE ARE GONNA BE MANY STRUGGLES.

THERE ARE GONNA BE MANY CHALLENGES.

AND THERE ARE GONNA BE A LOT OF THINGS THAT YOU MAY NOT EVEN UNDERSTAND.

BUT YOU'VE GOT TO GO BACK TO WHERE IT STARTED.

REMEMBER WHEN YOU WANTED MORE.

DON'T LOSE YOURSELF AND THE THINGS THAT'S NOT GONNA GIVE YOU THE STRENGTH AND THE CAPACITY OF UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU MATTER FOR SOMETHING.

DON'T LOSE YOURSELF IN FEAR.

DON'T LOSE YOURSELF IN DOUBT.

DARE YOURSELF TO BE BETTER.

DARE YOURSELF TO BE UNIQUE.

DARE YOURSELF TO BE THE BEST POSSIBILITY THAT THE WORLD HAS YET TO SEE.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ALRIGHT, WE'VE GOT ANOTHER FINALIST FOR YOU.

THIS IS ANOTHER CLASSICAL PIANIST.

HE'LL BE PLAYING CHOPIN'S "ETUDE OPUS 25, NUMBER 12."

PLEASE WELCOME 16-YEAR-OLD KURTIS SCHMIDT.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [PIANO MUSIC] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [MUSIC ENDS] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] BEN: WE HAVE COME TO OUR FINAL FINALIST OF THE EVENING.

NOW, THE "FOX PERFORMING ARTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION" PRIDES ITSELF ON MAKING IT EASY TO ENTER THIS COMPETITION.

THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE, AND THEY PROVIDE FREE WORKSHOPS FOR THE TEENS TO GUIDE THEM THROUGH THEIR JOURNEY.

THEY INSIST THAT NO ONE WHO ENTERS HAS TO JUMP THROUGH ANY HOOPS, BUT SOME CONTESTANTS JUST DON'T LISTEN.

PLEASE WELCOME 17-YEAR-OLD FINN McNAMEE.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [BIG-BAND MUSIC] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC ENDS] BEN: AND THERE YOU HAVE IT.

WHAT AN AMAZING NIGHT!

♪♪ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] [MUSIC CONTINUES] BEN: THIS IS THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR.

ALRIGHT, MY FRIENDS, HERE WE ARE.

THE 3rd-PLACE, $4,000 SCHOLARSHIP HAS BEEN UNDERWRITTEN BY SALLY JOHNSTON AND WILL BE PRESENTED TONIGHT BY STEVE JOHNSTON.

HELLO, SIR.

HERE WE GO.

AND THE THIRD-PLACE WINNER TONIGHT IS TONY PITTMAN!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪♪ [MUSIC ENDS] BEN: THE 2nd-PLACE, $6,000 SCHOLARSHIP HAS BEEN UNDERWRITTEN BY JOHN RUSSELL.

AND SECOND PLACE GOES TO NOAH VAN ESS!

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪♪ [MUSIC ENDS] BEN: AND THE WINNER OF THE $8,000 SCHOLARSHIP UNDERWRITTEN BY THE "AMEREN CORPORATION CHARITABLE TRUST" WILL BE PRESENTED BY KATRINA REECE.

HELLO, KATRINA.

HERE WE GO.

[DRUMROLL] WE HAVE A TIE.

WE HAVE A TIE FOR THE WINNER.

PLEASE CONGRATULATE OUR TWO WINNERS OF THE TWELFTH ANNUAL ST. LOUIS TEEN TALENT COMPETITION, AUBORY BUGG AND "TRIFECTA!"

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪♪ ♪♪ BEN: OH, MY GOODNESS!

THANK YOU, EVERYBODY!

YOU HAVE BEEN AN AMAZING AUDIENCE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF YOU NEXT YEAR AT THE 13th ANNUAL ST. LOUIS TEEN TALENT COMPETITION, SATURDAY NIGHT, APRIL 8th, 2023, RIGHT HERE ON THE "FABULOUS FOX" STAGE.

THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT!

[KISSES] [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪