Kids (and adults): don’t try this at home! America’s Got Talent is known for extreme acts. That’s partially why they had a short-lived AGT: Extreme. Viewers love watching these acts because the threat of danger is imminent. It’s exciting! However, even if you fear a messy, chaotic performance, these professionals know what they’re doing. With all the terrifying and risky acts relegated back to the flagship show, never have they met performers like these ultimate gym buffs. Viral gym bros Darien Johnson and Scott Mathison are social media influencers who have amassed over 200 million views on some of their most popular videos, and recently, they auditioned for AGT to bring extreme workouts to the masses. Did someone ask for this? Not necessarily, but the driving factor behind America’s Got Talent is to showcase and promote their talent in an entertaining way.
The moment these muscular men stepped on stage, judges Sofía Vergara and Mel B were ogling them, and rightly so. They were ripped! Johnson and Mathison’s mission was to break into Hollywood by doing something no one had ever done before. But in order to do so, they pushed their workouts to the max, where danger was lurking. With the judges placed straight in the line of danger, it was a risk they were willing to take.
Darien Johnson and Scott Mathison Brought Danger and Muscle to ‘America’s Got Talent’
Before auditioning for AGT, Darien and Scott had dreams of breaking into Hollywood and doing stunts in action movies. Through their individual social media presences, they found a following, but once they came together, their epic workouts were brought to new heights. Rather than bringing an instructional act to America’s Got Talent, they showcased exactly what not to do at the gym. From joint tossing of barbells at one another on bench presses to catching weights with their feet, this act was crazy — crazy dangerous! On occasion, some AGT acts like to involve the judges in their routine. Remember those judges who were looking them up and down, Sofía and Mel B? Well, Darien and Scott were eager to invite those judges to the stage to have a flying barbell tossed over their heads. But don’t worry, this highly choreographed routine did not lead to a lawsuit.
America’s Got Talent has always been about celebrating variety acts, but thanks to Darien and Scott, it has proven that AGT has evolved in the creativity department and in the types of acts that can be showcased. Being something new and refreshing, the draw for the audience was the potential for error. Surely the producers wouldn’t jeopardize their judges with actual danger, right? But they did, and that was part of the appeal. Are Darien and Scott destined for an act on the Vegas strip? Likely not, but their wow factor was gobsmacking. As the judges said, it was like nothing they had seen before.
This was a highly dangerous, expertly curated routine that required precision, like many other acts. But rather than trapezes or knives, they had weight benches, dumbbells, and bench presses. By the end, the judges were enamored and couldn’t help but push them through to the next round. What will they do next? There are endless possibilities, but their originality is what will give them the strength to battle the other talents.
Darien and Scott Want To Entertain on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ Not Educate
Many auditions feature individuals who aspire to pursue their dreams in their chosen field. Darien and Scott have aspirations, but they’re utilizing a special skill to achieve their goals and reach their action-hero dreams. At the top of their intro, they humbly admitted that they had aspirations for fame. There was no mincing the truth.
This act was not here to motivate you to get fit, even though Howie Mandel was truly convinced it would inspire people to get in shape. Based on what we saw, it’s not conceivable because this extraordinary feat of strength looked simply unachievable. If there is a faction of viewers out there like me who can barely do a push-up, Darien and Scott were meant to entertain through the temptation of danger. And that’s what they did! If they are to inspire, it’s to future acts who may have felt that America’s Got Talent might not be right for them. There is a world of potential thanks to the walls they knocked down.
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8:00pm on NBC. All episodes are available to stream on Peacock in the U.S.
