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What happened to Bargain Mansions?

Published

9 mins ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

Table of Contents

What is “Bargain Mansions”?

The brainchild of Conveyor Media, “Bargain Mansions” is a DIY Network home renovation series, that follows a tried and trusted formula in which the host, Tamara Day, buys dilapidated homes to bring back to life and hopefully sell at a profit.

A mother of four and a restoration enthusiast, Tamara herself comes from a line of home renovators and construction workers. The Missourian grew up on her family’s Kansas farm, and spent many years helping her father, Ward Schraeder, maintain and repair the property’s buildings.

After graduating, the spunky host began building a reputation as a talented interior designer and creator of custom furnishings, and was soon approached by Conveyor Media and offered the opportunity to be on TV. Surprisingly, Tamara was skeptical at first, and didn’t think that much would come of it – which changed when “Bargain Mansions” became a smash hit similar to “Fixer to Fabulous”.

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Seasons One to Three

The first season of “Bargain Mansions” alone boosted DIY Network’s entire ratings by a staggering 29% before moving over to HGTV. With ratings growing from season to season, the show reached the peak of its popularity in June 2020, and was also ranked a top 10 cable program in its time slot with over 16.3 million total viewers – over five million total viewers more than season two.

Jane Latman, the president at HGTV, previously hailed Tamara as “one of our most exciting up-and-coming home reno stars”, and with good reason. Known for blending sustainability with smart technology, the interior designer’s most popular projects include her work on an unfinished 1938 cottage, a dated French chateau, and an abandoned 1890s Craftsman-style home.

From fixing structural damage to constructing cathedral ceilings, no task is too big for Tamara and her father, despite their occasional disagreements – and the dynamic duo have made sure to capitalize on their popularity, giving local fans of the show the chance to purchase furniture that appears in the show. By popular demand, episodes of “Bargain Mansions” also doubled in length in season three, although the format otherwise remained unchanged.

Ward previously confided on his website that he delved into the world of home renovation when the family fell on hard times, and couldn’t afford to hire a contractor. After doing the paintwork, basement construction, and decking out of sheer necessity, he realized that this was something he could make a career out of.

As it happens, the Kansas native wasn’t meant to be part of the show. However, he dazzled the production team with his presence and big personality, when he stopped by to see an episode being shot, and is now considered indispensable by “Bargain Mansions” fans.

Growing Days Home

Business is often booming in Growing Days Home, Tamara’s décor shop, interior design studio, and showroom, and she also writes personal blog posts with in-depth information about each renovation. As is commonplace with home renovation shows, companies will often provide goods in exchange for publicity, and it’s highly likely that Tamara also makes money by advertising said products.

Another benefit of becoming a household name is Tamara’s new business direction. After years of hard work, in 2019 she launched her own e-design website to help home-owners regardless of their location, and without having to travel. As she explained in an interview: “We can do as much or as little online as someone wants, from picking paint colors for one room to any full-scale design.”

Apart from the services provided in four unique packages, clients who are willing to pay more can also have the privilege of a 40-minute video consultation with the host.

Lead Paint Scandal

There’s no need for fabricated drama on “Bargain Mansions”: when the premise of a show involves breathing new life into dilapidated mansions, it’s a given that there’ll be hurdles to overcome in each renovation. There’s always something to keep viewers entertained, from homes being plagued by wood rot, to the team tearing up old floorboards and making unpleasant discoveries, without resorting to staged antics.

Nevertheless, Tamara’s only real scandal to date was pretty serious; in late 2019, Tamara and Nicole Curtis of “Rehab Addict” landed in hot water with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), after improperly disposing of lead-based paint during renovations, thus violating the Toxic Substances Control Act’s Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule.

A press release from the EPA revealed that said violations were featured on each host’s show. Apparently, Tamara and Nicole had failed to obtain the necessary EPA renovation firm certification, and to comply with “several work practice standards required for the safe handling and disposal of lead-based paint”.

Tamara and Nicole’s companies reached settlements with the EPA in early 2020, paying civil penalties and promising to ensure compliance with relevant regulations in future projects. They also agreed to educate the public about the hazards of lead-based paint, and appropriate renovation procedures.

Possible Cancellation

Rumors of “Bargain Mansions” being cancelled for good began circulating online in early 2021, after fans heavily criticized Tamara’s latest designs, with the host’s personal touches being described as “bad”, “hideous”, and even “creepy”. One Twitter user said quite harshly: “I didn’t think Tamara could outdo herself destroying these designs UNTIL I saw episode 4 Season 3.”

Some disgruntled netizens also claimed that the host “barked” at her father, and showed no respect for him, and although a few isolated comments aren’t an indicator of Tamara’s popularity, some news outlets used them as evidence that the show had been pulled, so would not be returning for a fourth season. Around the same time, Tamara’s blog posts also became much more sporadic, as she refused to confirm or deny the speculations.

However, potentially crestfallen fans of the show were relieved to discover via Tamara’s Instagram profile that filming for season four was underway, commencing in late January 2022. Despite no premiere date being announced, it’s thought that the newest episodes will air in late the same year.

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Personal Life

Seasoned fans of Tamara are well aware of the unshakeable bond she shares with her life partner, Bill Day. The handsome couple have definitely come a long way since their first meeting in 1998, while managing booths at the Bartle Hall convention center – from marrying in November 2000 to completing their family with three sons and a daughter, Tamara and Bill are considered one of Instagram’s most wholesome and low-key marriages.

Although opposites attract, Tamara previously shared on her blog that she shares a lot in common with Bill: his experience in flipping houses was just one of the many things that brought them together. In 2008, the couple purchased their dream property, just before the worldwide financial crisis sabotaged their plans of hiring professionals for renovation work.

A mother of three at the time, Tamara did most of the renovation herself, and travelled to garage sales in search of cheap furniture. Luckily, the daunting project proved to be the foundation for her design business, which later led to her show.

Fans who are curious to know more about Bill outside of his appearances on the show are in luck. Online records show that the affable businessman and Kansas City Chiefs fan, graduated from the University of Missouri with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1992, where he had also been a member of the famous Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Bill set up his first company, BL Day Properties in 1995,. He later held the position of Regional Vice President in a national investment firm, before moving on to bigger and better things and becoming the co-owner and partner of Integrated Wealth Advisory Service Inc. The company helps people create wealth management plans, and has been going strong since the ‘90s, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Along with Craig Splan and Tray Wiltse, Bill is one of the company’s three high-flying financial advisors. Craig, the current president, graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor’s degree in economics, and obtained his Certified Financial Planner designation just three years later. Having previously worked with the Federal Reserve, he joined Integrated Wealth in 1999, and now oversees its day-to-day operations.

Tray, who joined the firm in 2005, graduated from Rockhurst University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics. His star-studded resume includes the years of hard work he put in as an advisor for a major financial services firm, and his current job scope at Integrated Wealth includes consulting entrepreneurs, and helping families manage their estates.

As for Bill, he focuses mainly on the medical community, helping professionals and practices with wealth management and retirement plans, as well as advising families on how to handle their investment assets for future generations.

Despite juggling parenthood and demanding careers, Tamara and Bill make plenty of time for each other, and always enjoy the moment, be it at group outings or romantic date nights. Recently, the entrepreneur even penned Tamara a sweet Instagram message that read: “What an awesome day with my incredible wife and mom to our family. We love you so much and hope you had a great Mother’s Day.”

Ward Schraeder

As a businessman, builder and venture capitalist, Ward is a self-described jack of all trades and self-made man, who believes in the rewards of hard work. From banking to managing medical facilities, the Kansas native has his hands full between work and filming for “Bargain Mansions”, but still manages to spend some quiet time on his ranch whenever possible.

Ward began building and fixing things as an adolescent, when he helped his high school football coach build a home, and rebuilt his grandfather’s ranch house alongside his father. As he moved up the corporate ladder, Ward and his family often moved, and built new homes, which led to him “employing” his four children and teaching them construction. In fact, he enjoyed it so much that he began remodeling homes as a hobby, and showed his kids just about everything, from installing sheetrock to using tools. Today, Ward and his wife Trish live in the first home which was rehabilitated on “Bargain Mansions”, after decades of neglect.

It’s not surprising that Ward applies his philosophy of “finding something broken, fixing it, and turning it into a success” to his career, and also makes a living acquiring failing myriad businesses. When a friend of his father-in-law’s commented that he was looking for a manager for a supply distribution company on the verge of bankruptcy, Ward stepped up to the challenging task, and helped rescue said company after a lot of hard work, turning it into just one of his many success stories.

Other ventures of Ward’s include a food distribution company, medical imaging centers, assisted living facilities, and a dairy that employs over 2,500 people, but his extensive business portfolio doesn’t stop there: recently, the entrepreneur has opened a winery in Oregon, and he also owns Freddy’s food franchises, and dabbles in real estate.

One of Ward’s most ambitious projects came about in December 2019, when he joined the board of Rocket Crafters, also known as Vaya Space. Thanks to hybrid technology and innovative thinking, the Florida-based propulsion and launch services company promises to get clients into space quickly and cheaply. With space travel becoming a booming market, Ward’s expertise in manufacturing and distribution, as well as his strong leadership skills, are more than welcome.

With that said, Ward also finds time to enjoy and better himself. The skilled outdoorsman loves researching far-flung destinations around the globe, with an example being his annual trip to Scotland to hunt, while wearing the country’s traditional tartan plaid clothing. His website includes healthy recipes and family travel tips, and possibly some music soon, as the Kansas native recently took up guitar classes.

Little is known of his wife Trish and his other three children, although they make the occasional appearance on his blog posts. One of the businessman’s latest construction projects involves remodeling his great-grandfather’s century-old farmhouse.

However, “Bargain Mansions” fans have no need for concern, as they will be seeing him in the latest season.

Martha Clifford

As an Author at Net Worth Post, I guide a dedicated team in the art of revealing the stories behind the world's most influential personalities. Fueled by a relentless curiosity and a knack for uncovering hidden stories, I immerse myself in the intricacies of our subjects' lives, weaving together accurate data and compelling narratives. My involvement spans the entire editorial process, from the seed of research to the final flourish of publication, ensuring that every article not only educates but also captivates and motivates our audience. At Net Worth Post, we are committed to providing thorough investigations into the net worth and life achievements of innovators across diverse sectors such as technology, culture, and social entrepreneurship. My method merges meticulous research with eloquent storytelling, designed to bridge the gap between our readers and the remarkable individuals who redefine our tomorrow. Through spotlighting their journeys to success, the hurdles they've surmounted, and their contributions to society, we aim to give our readers a deep and inspiring insight into the luminaries who are paving the way for progress and ingenuity in the modern era.

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Where is Beau Dermott (“Britain’s Got Talent”) today?

Published

1 min ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

Beau Dermott was catapulted to fame during the tenth season of “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2016; just 13 years old at the time, the musical theatre singer enthralled the public with her performance of “Defying Gravity”, and earned a Golden Buzzer from judge Amanda Holden that guaranteed her a spot in the competition’s live round.

Born in Liverpool and raised in the tranquil town of Widnes, Cheshire, Beau attended The Hammond School, and participated in season ten alongside her cousin, the dancer Jack Higgins. Dubbed “the girl with the big voice and big heart”, Beau was a favorite to win but ended up in fifth place, whereas the magician Richard Jones took home the grand prize.

Showing signs of a promising career post-Got Talent, Beau’s voice was insured for £1 million, and the youngster inked a lucrative deal with Decca Records. Her first album, “Brave”, was released in September 2017 and charted moderately well, so it appeared that the blue-eyed blonde was at the peak of her popularity: from performing for Dame Vera Lynn at the London Palladium, to touring numbers of venues around the UK, Beau was considered the girl of the moment… until she wasn’t.

According to her official website, which hasn’t been updated in the last few years, the Liverpool native is a staunch animal lover, and the owner of two dogs and a rescue pony. Amongst her philanthropical pursuits, the adolescent organized a charity concert in aid of Cancer Research UK in October 2017, following her father’s diagnosis.

Final rehearsal for tonight’s show @liverpoolphil with the amazing @barnabytaylor and @Leos_Strings tickets at https://t.co/BO02ctN1R1 pic.twitter.com/pmKSANhD7Y

— Beau Dermott (@BeauDermott) October 12, 2017

Sadly, Beau’s father passed away months after the concert, which took place at Liverpool’s Philharmonic Hall. Many child performers have an unsurprisingly short shelf life, and it’s believed that Beau’s family willingly withdrew her from the spotlight, so that the then-teenager could focus on her studies, and cope with the loss of her parent. A year passed between her father’s untimely death and her next big public appearance at London’s O2 arena, which drew crowds of thousands, but since then, Beau has kept a pretty low profile.

As of 2022, the young adult is working on small productions with the Mousetrap Theatre Company. Months can go by between Beau’s Instagram posts, but it appears that the talented singer recently enjoyed her 18^th birthday in the company of friends and loved ones, with a small party at home. It’s also believed but not confirmed that the striking blonde has cut ties with Decca Records, as there’s no mention of the music label on her social media.

It’s good to note that Beau’s charitable streak has only strengthened with the years, as the performer is currently a Mane Chance patron. The animal sanctuary aims to rescue and rehabilitate abused, aged, and abandoned horses, and integrate them with the local community, and often organizes events for young children in the area to attend. Other famous patrons include the author Lauren St John, and the comedian Joe Pasquale.

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Success Stories

Dozens of memorable BGT contestants have displayed their arts for the world to admire, but only a handful have stood the test of time, and remained relevant pop culture figures, with the vast majority fading into obscurity when their time on the show was up. Below are just three examples of BGT’s greatest success stories – contestants who, despite not winning, went on to have long and fruitful careers doing what they loved.

Susan Boyle

First on the list is Susan Boyle, who stunned the public and judges with her awesome version of “I Dreamed A Dream”, the “Les Miserables” classic. Despite her homely appearance and awkward demeanor, the Scottish singer became a global sensation and sought-after public figure overnight, with her audition racking up hundreds of millions of views, and ranking as the most-watched YouTube video of the year.

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Her story resonated around the world immediately, with think pieces being churned out across the globe, and Susan stating in an interview with The Washington Post: “Modern society is too quick to judge people on their appearances. There is not much you can do about it… But maybe this could teach them a lesson, or set an example.”

Despite being a clear favorite to win, Susan came in second to Diversity, a multicultural street-dance troupe. Nevertheless, her debut album – “I Dreamed a Dream” – went soaring up the charts around the world and, according to the Official Charts Company, broke records for first-week sales. In her first year of fame, Susan earned millions of dollars from her project and its lead-off singles, including “Wild Horses”.

2010 brought with it Susan’s sophomore project, “The Gift”. Becoming the third act in history to top the US and UK album charts twice in the same year, the talented performer – who was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum with an above average IQ shortly afterwards – went on a hugely popular tour.

Such was Susan’s success that a stage musical of her life unsurprisingly entitled “I Dreamed a Dream” was planned, with the singer appearing as herself. It was later decided that she would be portrayed by Elaine C. Smith, with Susan joining the cast for a cameo appearance. The musical premiered in late March 2012 at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, and was swarmed by fans all over the world with positive reviews, and spent the rest of the year touring the UK and Ireland.

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Initially, Susan disliked the idea of the show due to potentially sensitive details of her life becoming public domain. However, she later changed her mind, and deemed it “clever and amusing”. Fox Searchlight bought life rights to Susan and rights of the musical, with plans of developing a film version, but the project was quietly shelved.

Susan’s other studio albums are “Someone to Watch Over Me”, “Standing Ovation: The Greatest Songs from the Stage”, “Home for Christmas”, “Hope”, “A Wonderful World”, and “Ten”. To date, the Scottish native has sold over 24 million albums worldwide, been nominated for two Grammy awards, and retains millions of fans despite having slowed down professionally.

Calum Scott

Calum Scott is another former contestant whose career has been full of professional triumphs, despite not winning BGT. Born and raised in Yorkshire, the singer-songwriter’s parents divorced when he was just two years old, with his father moving to Canada. With no paternal figure in his life, Calum formed a close bond with his sister Jade, who encouraged him to sing.

You know how grateful I am and what a life changing year 2018 was so I simply just want to do more of this in 2019… laugh, smile and enjoy life to its fullest and hopefully bring that to you lot too. I love you all, beyond words and you know it. ?
Happy New Year everyone! X pic.twitter.com/45kPp4vcov

— Calum Scott (@calumscott) December 31, 2018

Although he wouldn’t become nationally known until 2015, Calum won a talent competition organized by Hull Daily Mail in August 2013, and joined the Maroon 5 tribute band which toured around the UK. A year later, he formed an electronic duo with friend John McIntyre named The Experiment, performing their only single – “Girl (You’re Beautiful)” – on BBC Look North and Good Morning Britain before they split due to artistic differences.

Going back to his day job in human resources, Calum auditioned for the ninth series of BGT. His sister auditioned just before him, but things went disastrously when she received four “No” votes from the judges, and was stopped mid-song by Simon Cowell not once but twice. In a bittersweet moment, Calum went on stage to perform a cover of Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” and received a standing ovation from the judges, and a Golden Buzzer from Simon.

Explaining his decision, Simon said: “I’ve never ever in all the years I’ve done this show heard a guy with the talent you’ve got. And the version was sensational, and that shows to me that you’re more than a singer, you’re an artist, and that’s why you got that.”

Following his audition, Scott received an outpouring of support from celebrities and regular people alike, gaining over 25,000 Twitter followers and racking up millions of YouTube views of his video. Winning the semi-final with 25.6% of the votes after performing Jermaine Stewart’s “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off”, Scott went straight to the final stage of the competition, and was expected to win by many.

Sadly, when the big day came, Scott came in sixth out of 12 contestants with just 8.2% of the vote. Taking the loss in his stride, the singer-songwriter toured the UK, and performed at festivals of all sizes including Gibraltar Summer Nights and Dartford Festival. April 2016 marked the independent release of his first single, a cover of “Dancing on My Own”, which became a sleeper hit and slowly climbed into the top 40, despite receiving almost no radio airplay. Four months later, the single was certified platinum, having sold over 600,000 copies – and Calum also signed a deal with Capitol Records.

Just a month later, Calum teamed up with the Brazilian singer Ivete Sangalo for the promotional single “Transformar”, which became the 2016 Summer Paralympics’ official song, and was performed at the closing ceremony. In 2017, the attractive musician embarked on an ambitious US tour, and began working on his debut album, “Only Human”, which was released in March 2018 and spawned four singles.

Brasil, foi incrível! Te amo! @ivetesangalo ?? ❤️ #ClosingCeremony #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/9coFbEt6vg

— Calum Scott (@calumscott) September 19, 2016

To date, Calum’s extensive discography includes an acoustic EP of songs from his debut album, another EP, and a second album. The singer has also collaborated with Leona Lewis and other big names and earns money from the occasional endorsement deal, although his thriving career remains his main focus.

Connie Talbot

Connie Talbot is another unforgettable name for BGT fans. In 2007 at just six years of age, the cute blonde auditioned for the first series despite never having taken singing classes, and was described as “pure magic” by Simon Cowell, who also promised that he could help her earn over a million that year alone.

On the night of the final, Connie sang “Over the Rainbow”, but lost out to Paul Potts. The young singer’s future was looking uncertain when Sony BMG, Simon’s label, pulled out of a potential record deal after recording two songs with the youngster in London. According to Connie’s mother, her daughter was “too young” and the family was told to look for a more age-appropriate company.

Nevertheless, Connie signed a six-figure deal with Rainbow Recording Company – an offshoot of the record label Rhythm Riders made specifically for the singer – in October 2007. The Birmingham native’s debut album was released in late November of the same year, with experts describing her as “the next Charlotte Church”. Only 50,000 copies of the album were initially pressed, but with an additional 120,000 being made when it sold out in just days.

From performing in Birmingham’s Centenary Square and headlining Christmas festivals, to appearing on Channel 5 News and GMTV, Connie was seen just about everywhere, and even received offers for film roles. This caused some controversy when her mother said: “Connie’s a singer, not an actress, so we’ll see what happens,”, with disgruntled netizens calling Sharon an opportunist, and insinuating that she was overworking her daughter.

Connie’s album was re-released in June 2008 after a two-month promotional tour in Asia, making stops in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea. The US version was released in October of the same year, and saw Connie appear in “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and other daytime programs to drum up publicity.

The prolific youngster released her second project, “Connie Talbot’s Christmas Album”, in November 2008 after months of non-stop work. The festive album contained a mix of old classics and more modern tunes, and came with its own documentary, “Christmas with Connie”, in which fans saw footage of Connie’s journey to the US and a concert she held at her primary school. After going on yet another promotional tour around the world, which included stops in Germany and Korea, Connie took a short break.

Connie’s third album, “Connie Talbot’s Holiday Magic”, was released in the UK almost exactly a year later. Her career slowed down considerably from 2010 onwards, as fans struggled to relate to the pre-adolescent who was no longer the cute little six-year-old they’d seen on BGT, but nevertheless, the talented singer still puts out the occasional single, and is said to be worth millions thanks to all the albums she sold in her heyday.

Lists

What is Kodi Lee from “America’s Got Talent” doing now?

Published

1 min ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

Capturing the hearts of millions of viewers and making history as the first blind and autistic contestant to receive the coveted golden buzzer on “America’s Got Talent”, Kodi Lee’s inspiring life story turned him into a worldwide sensation in 2019. The Korean-American singer-songwriter, who is also a gifted pianist, dazzled judges with his heartfelt rendition of Leon Russell’s “A Song For You”.

Born with optic nerve hypoplasia, and diagnosed with Addison’s disease at a young age, Kodi is considered a musical savant, or “someone with abilities that would be considered extraordinary even in a person who is not autistic.” Within two weeks of his audition, Kodi had racked up 50 million views on YouTube, and become the talk of the country as he progressed in “Got Talent”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jS07j4mL-0

Table of Contents

“America’s Got Talent”

Kodi auditioned for the TV talent show in May 2019, and received a standing ovation from judges Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell after his performance, as well as a golden buzzer from Gabrielle which sent him to the program’s live shows. With Kodi already amassing a loyal fanbase within days of the audition airing, NBC and other news outlets began reporting on every detail of his life, thus making him a more relatable figure.

In the quarter-finals, Kodi received yet another standing ovation after his version of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water”, and passed to the semi-finals with flying colors. Despite there being plenty of competition at that stage, Kodi was announced as one of the season’s ten finalists, after his rendition of Calum Scott’s “You Are the Reason”.

You did it @Kodileerocks!!!!!!! From the first note you sang, I knew you were something special and that you were here to change the world. I am SO proud of you my #goldenbuzzer. This is just the beginning. #agt pic.twitter.com/rLpq62HOcv

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) September 19, 2019

In the series finale that aired in September 2019, Kodi was the star of the night, as he performed “You Are the Reason” for the second time, alongside special guest Leona Lewis. Kodi was announced as the winner by a landslide at the end of the show, thus becoming the first developmentally disabled person to win “America’s Got Talent”.

2022

As recently as January 2022, Kodi fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams by becoming a Las Vegas headliner in the cast of “America’s Got Talent: Live”. No costs were spared for the star-studded show, a production partnership of Syco Entertainment, The Works Entertainment Company, MGM Resorts International, and Fremantle with a multimillion-dollar budget.

When asked in an interview if he ever imagined that he’d be performing in front of thousands of fans on the Las Vegas Strip, Kodi enthusiastically replied: “Heck, yeah. I have never given up on my dream. I love being able to share my music with the world.” His proud mother Tina, confessed that she never imagined her son would win Got Talent, and that her biggest goal was simply landing an audition for her talented offspring, so that he could show the world his abilities.

Despite his varied interests including tapdancing and technology, Kodi remains a humble person, and loves spending time with his family the most. The pianist is also planning his debut album, which will include both covers and original songs, and has shared that he’d love to work with Alicia Keys and Elton John. Other career highlights since winning Got Talent include performing a duet with the musician H.E.R., and making appearances on the latest seasons of the show.

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Where Are They Now?

It goes without saying that the less successful Got Talent acts who never reached their full potential also deserve their own mention. Despite winning the first season at the tender age of 11, with her powerful renditions of Broadway hits, Bianca Ryan’s career stalled in 2007, as she chose to focus on her education. Sadly, from 2010 to 2014, the Philadelphia native’s health issues also impacted her professional trajectory and she could only release one original single, and a cover of John Legend’s “All of Me”.

After undergoing various surgeries, Bianca came back with a bang in May 2017 to premiere her new single “One Day”. Sadly, the buzz surrounding her career had more than died down, and the music scene was full of fresh, young faces to occupy her spot. From being hailed by Simon Cowell as one of the best singers the judges had ever heard, to fading into obscurity, Bianca was forced to become a YouTube musician to make ends meet, and sporadically releases music to this day.

Neal E. Boyd became yet another inspirational story, after overcoming his bleak upbringing in conditions of poverty, earning a degree in music, and entering the third season of Got Talent to stun the judges and public with his version of Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma”. Having developed a passion for opera music, thanks to the Three Tenors and other groups, Neal was a fan favorite from the beginning, and was hailed as a hero after taking home the $1 million prize.

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Neal was also a generous soul who donated to charitable causes, and created a legacy at Southeast Missouri State University, his alma mater. Celebrating his experience at the university and with the aim of supporting future students, he created the Neal E. Boyd Endowed Scholarship in Performing Arts, which is awarded annually to a student in financial need who meets a GPA requirement and other targets.

Tragically, Neal never became a mainstream musical act, because he died of complications stemming from liver disease. In a statement, Got Talent said: “We are very saddened to hear that one of our AGT family members has passed away. Our hearts are with Neal’s loved ones during this difficult time.”

BAMA/FSU FANS! Make plans for ATL this Friday. Pregame party with us & @RileyGreenMusic at Buckhead Theatre the night before the game! pic.twitter.com/4ZXb9Q1qfl

— Muscadine Bloodline (@MuscadineBLine) August 30, 2017

As for Kevin Skinner, who we mentioned earlier, the season four winner is perhaps one of Got Talent’s most tragic stories of unrealized potential. A humble chicken skinner born in the Dublin community of Graves County, Kentucky, Kevin began playing the guitar aged 12, and learned how to sing and compose music from his musician father, Joe.

With his ruggedly handsome appearance and lively personality, Kevin enamored fans with his performance of Garth Brooks’ “If Tomorrow Never Comes”, with three judges voting ‘yes’ and sending him directly to the Vegas Round. Despite not performing in said round, Kevin’s audition was good enough for the judges to send him to the quarter-finals, where he sang Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love” while playing the guitar.

In the semi-finals, Kevin’s rendition of Brenda Lee’s “Always On My Mind” was good enough to earn a standing ovation from Piers. The famously picky judge boldly claimed that Kevin was able to move an audience in a way that he’d never seen before on the show, and added that the Kentucky native was one of his favorites to win.

Image source

Despite missing the odd note in his next performance, Piers called Kevin a diamond in the rough, and Sharon compared him to Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger – other musicians who didn’t need a perfect voice to become successful. Once again, Kevin received a standing ovation, and received enough votes in the finale to be placed in the Top 5.

Upon receiving the seven-figure prize, which was put into an annuity to be paid out over 40 years, Kevin headlined a show in Las Vegas, performed in “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”, and began working on his eagerly awaited debut album. His debut CD, “Long Ride”, was released on Saint Patrick’s Day 2010, with the album coming six months later.

Shockingly, the album failed to chart despite Kevin’s best efforts. After releasing an equally unsuccessful follow-up, “Kevin Skinner: Live and Unplugged”, in 2011, the musician gave up on his dreams and went back to his day job – he’s shown no interest in performing or reviving his career since.

An honorable mention goes to Grace VanderWaal, one of the only winners to break the Got Talent ‘curse’ and keep her name in the media spotlight. The singer-songwriter and actress, whose Golden Buzzer audition has the second-highest number of views in AGT history, became the youngest performer to win since Bianca at just 12 years old. The vivacious adolescent began her musical career on YouTube, and performing at local open mic nights, making sure to stand out from other contestants by singing her original material.

Just three months after winning season eleven of AGT, Grace released her first EP – “Perfectly Imperfect”, via Columbia Records. Less than a year later, she delighted fans with her first full-length album entitled “Just the Beginning”, and by then had already showcased her stage presence with performances at Madison Square Garden, the opening and closing of the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games, and various benefit concerts.

Some accolades Grace has earned through sheer hard work include the Radio Disney Music Award for Best New Artist, a Teen Choice Award, and a coveted spot in Billboard magazine’s 21 Under 21 list of young music stars with promise. The New York native has also signed with IMG models, and starred in the Disney+ adaptation of Jerry Spinelli’s “Stargirl”; she currently boasts over four million Instagram followers.