by AFP — The choreographer leading a Lebanese dance troupe that shot to fame by winning the ‘America’s Got Talent’ TV contest castigated Lebanese politicians and called for revolution upon landing back in Beirut Friday. Dozens of relatives offered the Mayyas troupe flowers at Beirut airport while thousands of Lebanese were glued to their televisions to catch a glimpse of the performers who filled them with pride and joy in a country wrecked by nearly three years of economic crisis. “We don’t need you (politicians), Mayyas made Lebanon proud without your help” choreographer Nadim Cherfan told AFP at Beirut’s airport, echoing the frustration of many Lebanese who blame the political class for the country’s woes. His comment came as a snub to top Lebanese politicians who had praised the group — including the country’s president and prime minister.
Amid Lebanon’s worst-ever economic crisis, the national currency has lost more than 90 percent of its value on the black market since 2019 while poverty and unemployment have soared. In a reflection of deep popular discontent, five banks were stormed Friday by depositors seeking to unlock savings frozen in the banking system after the economy crumbled. “People should break all the banks, shake up the country and turn the table over politicians’ heads,” Cherfan said. Mayyas this week snatched a $1 million prize and the chance to headline a Las Vegas show for their extravagant television performance featuring belly dancing, feather fans and white orbs of light. Judges and viewers hailed the troupe for their hypnotic and mesmerising performances — despite enduring hardships at home that include long daily power cuts.
Lebanese authorities can barely provide citizens and residents with bare necessities. Lebanon suffers from electricity cuts that last up to 22 hours as the cash-strapped state can no longer afford fuel. “Your job is to feed the hungry people and bring electricity,” Cherfan said, addressing the politicians. “As artists we are doing an artistic revolution,” he added, in an apparent reference to a 2019 anti-government protest movement that many Lebanese dubbed a revolution.
BY ADRIANNA FREEDMAN — Why ‘America’s Got Talent’ Winners the Mayyas Will Not Actually Receive $1 Million Congratulations to the winners of America’s Got Talent season 17,The Mayyas!
The all-female Lebanese group of two dozen dancers garnered the coveted title on Wednesday night’s nerve-wracking 2022 finale, beating out pole dancer Kristy Sellars and country singer Drake Milligan, who many thought would be the uncontested winner. This content is imported from instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Throughout their time on America’s Got Talent, the Mayyas quickly became a fan-favorite act amongst other hopefuls, which also included Metaphysic and Chapel Hart. As fans were drawn into their electric performances onstage, so were AGT judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Sofía Vergara and Howie Mandel. Their combination of strategic dance moves and alluring visuals were so mesmerizing that Sofía gave them a golden buzzer.
When host Terry Crews declared the Mayyas as the latest winners of the NBC competition show, he also announced they earned a $1 million prize and a chance to headline a show in Las Vegas. But the monetary reward comes with a catch. At the end of each AGT episode, a disclaimer clarifies that “the prize, which totals $1,000,000, is payable in a financial annuity over forty years, or the contestant may choose to receive the present cash value of such annuity.” This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
When Forbes did an analysis back in 2011 of how much the contestants actually win, the outlet found an interesting outcome. Should the winner decide to split the $1 million prize over 40 years, then they may only receive about $25,000 per year before taxes. But if they choose to receive the money in its entirety a.k.a. “present cash value,” their prize would come out to about $300,000 before it’s divided up by taxes. Although AGT hasn’t shared a reason for why the prize money is offered through these two options, it might be due to accommodate the range of contestants participating. If the winner is on the younger side, they may want to receive a sum over four decades instead of it all in one shot. The same could be true for an AGT champion who is older and may prefer the money in a large chunk versus smaller payments. That said, neither options necessarily equate to $1 million, per the magazine.
Still, just because the show has this stipulation doesn’t mean winners don’t have other forms of success afterward. Season 5 winner Jackie Evancho continues to build a singing career for herself, while season 11 winner Grace VanderWaal just released the movie Hollywood Stargirl in July on Disney+. There’s no doubt that the Mayyas are about to have a career explosion and it’s going to be epic.
