Bikini-clad glam-rocker Bonavega shocks and awes ‘AGT’ judges

Rock ‘n’ roll has a new savior, and his name is Bonavega. When the glam-rock starman hit theAmerica’s Got Talentstage Tuesday all oiled up like Mr. Universe, rocking a barely-there sequined monokini, flaming Alice Cooper eye makeup, and a lush El DeBarge mullet that would makeCrystal Methyd fromRuPaul’s Drag Raceweep with envy, he seemed like a joke contestant. But it turns out the 31-year-old super-trouper (real name: Branden Wilbarger) was as serious as a Sheer Heart Attack.

Tearing through his aptly titled original “Overdrive,” in the space of 90 thrilling seconds the outlandish Ohioan managed to run into the audience, peacock-strut back and forth across the judges’ desk while slapping his own sparkly butt, pelvis-thrust like a Chippendales dancer mere inches from Simon Cowell’s startled face, and play a shredding electric guitar solo. It was a little bit Justin Hawkins, a little bit Har Mar Superstar, a little bit Eagles of Death Metal, a little bit Scissor Sisters, and little bit Andrew W.K.… and a whole lot of awesome. The crowd went wild — and, surprisingly, so did the judges, who unanimously put him through.

“When I saw you wearing that, I thought, ‘This is going to be a joke,’” admitted Howie Mandel. “And so far this season, you are my biggest surprise. It’s rock ‘n’ roll, it’s camp, it’s theater —andyou have a mullet!” (Clearly, with that outfit and that showmanship, Bonavega had a party going on in the back and in the front.)

“Honestly, when you walked out, I thought you were going to get four X’s in about one second,” said Cowell. “But then I looked around and I could see the audience loved you. So this was fun. I’m going to remember you. I’m curious see where this is going to end up.”


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