Ukrainian artist reaches final of America’s Got Talent: The Champions

After winning the local show Ukraine’s Got Talent in 2009, Ukrainian sand animation artist Kseniya Simonova took her act across the ocean to try to win the hearts of the U.S. audience.

And she did: Simonova recently made it to the final of the TV show America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

“I have never been more impressed by the ability to move people the way you did today,” the host of the show, U.S. actor Terry Crews told Simonova after her performance.

The video of Simonova’s performance, published on Facebook on Feb. 5, has already reached over 2 million views.

Simonova, 33, comes from Yevpatoriya, a city of 100,000 located in Russian-occupied Crimea.

“I never thought my sand art would ever leave my small town,” Simonova said in the preview of her performance at America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

Through her sand animation performances, Simonova tells stories she comes up with. She also uses music and sounds to accompany them.

On the fifth episode of the show, which aired on Feb. 4 on NBC, the artist performed the touching story of a child who grew up, became a famous artist, and forgot about his parents: he never picked up his phone and didn’t visit his family.

The heart-breaking ending of her story was accompanied with a song “Slow Down” by U.S. singer Nichole Nordeman.

Simonova wowed the show’s judges.

“In my opinion, you are one of the best contestants we’ve had over the years. Genuinely, to see it unfold in front of our eyes and your use of music and storytelling. It was fantastic,” one of the judges, British record company executive Simon Cowell said.

“It’s so emotional. What you do is beautiful. You are beautiful,” another judge, Canadian comedian and actor Howie Mandel said. “You are the champion,” he added.

But more than anyone else Ukrainian sand artist impressed the host, Crews, who used his right to send one participant straight to the final on Simonova.

“I’ve got goosebumps,” Crews said right after Simonova finished her act.

The host later went to the judges and pressed the Golden Buzzer, which sent Simonova straight through to the final.

America’s Got Talent: The Champions is a spin-off of America’s Got Talent.

For the spin-off, the show’s producers selected 50 winners or finalists of talent shows from different countries.

Then, during each of the five broadcasts, the two best participants qualified for the final. The first one was picked by a vote taken among viewers, the second one – with the help of the Golden Buzzer, which is a button that can be pressed either by judges or by the host only once over the course of all audition rounds. So 10 finalists have been chosen in the five semifinals.

The final episode of America’s Got Talent: The Champions will take place on Feb. 11, and the winner will be announced on Feb. 18 on NBC.