Leonid the Magnificent

Leonid the Magnificent was an act from Season 1, Season 2, and Season 6 of America's Got Talent. He was eliminated in the Semifinals in Season 1, the Vegas Round in Season 2, and the Vegas Round again in Season 6.

Background
Leonid the Magnificent (born Leonid Filatov) is a Russian performance artist born in 1973 in Siberia who now lives in Brooklyn, New York City. Leonid has been performing on stage since the age of 12. He finished Russian Circus School and University of Art and Culture to become an artist and a show creator. While in Russia, Leonid Filatov gained recognition by the Cultural Committee of the Government of Moscow as an acclaimed artiste of the State Central Concert Hall "Rossiya" - the most prestigious in the nation. Since coming to the USA he has performed in many cities across America including Miami, Las Vegas, New York City, New Jersey, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

His repertoire includes classical, modern or exotic dances, highly-skilled circus acrobatics, musicals, comedy and drama. He performs solo or with his troupe, the Leo-Leopatra show. His style is highly versatile depending on the venue and occasion, ranging from serious and classical to raucous and edgy.

Leonid has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on May 19th 2005, Jimmy Kimmel Live in August 2006 and The New Yorker—a live variety TV talkshow—on March 7th 2007. On April 22nd 2006 he was given the PREMIO ARTE Award as Extravagant Artist of the 2005 Year, in New Jersey. On March 28th 2007 he appeared on Greece national TV as a special guest star on Greece’s Got Talent in Athens, Greece. Today, Leonid The Magnificent is an independent artist and works mostly by invitation. 1

Season 1 Audition
Leonid the Magnificent's audition  in Episode 102   consisted of balancing a sword on another sword held in his mouth. At one point in his performance, Leonid dropped the sword as he was attempting to do a split. His second attempt was successful. Piers Morgan buzzed the act. Although Brandy Norwood voted "Yes", Piers and David Hasselhoff both voted "No", eliminating him from the competition. However, Brandy later asked for Leonid to be brought back on stage. After some deliberation and the audience applauded in support of Leonid, Piers changed his mind and voted "Yes", sending Leonid to the Semifinals.



Season 1 Semifinals
Leonid the Magnificent's Week 2 Semifinals performance consisted of twirling a metal hollow cube with his hands and flipping. Although David Hasselhoff gave Leonid a "✓" vote, Piers Morgan and Brandy Norwood both gave him "X" votes. Leonid did not receive enough votes to finish in at least second place in America's Vote, eliminating him from the competition instead of At Last and Natasha Le.



Season 1 Wild Card
Leonid the Magnificent was brought back by David Hasselhoff for the Wild Card Show. His performance consisted of performing a variety of hula hoop tricks. Although Brandy Norwood gave Leonid a " ✓ " vote,   Piers Morgan  and  David Hasselhoff  both gave him "X" votes. Leonid did not receive enough votes to finish in at least second place in America's Vote, eliminating him from the competition again instead of  David & Dania - Quick Change  and  Nathan Burton.



Season 2 Audition
Leonid the Magnificent's audition consisted of performing an act with two female assistants dressed like lions. The act began with the assistants being attached to chains held by Leonid, with a dance at the end. Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff buzzed the act. Although Hasselhoff voted "No" (prompting a "Go to Hell" response from Leonid), Morgan and Sharon Osbourne both voted "Yes", sending him to the Vegas Round. Afterwards, Hasselhoff threatened to leave the show.

Season 2 Vegas Round
Leonid the Magnificent was sorted into the "Variety" category during the Vegas Round. His performance was not shown. He proceeded to the shortlist, but was not sent through to the Semifinals, eliminating him from the competition.

Season 6 Audition
Leonid the Magnificent's audition consisted of Quick-changing and briefly singing. Piers Morgan buzzed the act. Althoug Morgan voted "No," Howie Mandel and Sharon Osbourne both voted "Yes," sending him to the Vegas Round.

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Season 6 Vegas Round
Leonid the Magnificent was one of the Standby Acts in the Vegas Round. He was sorted into the "Novelty Acts" category. His performance consisted of dancing with a partner to "Karma Chameleon." His audition was not strong enough for the judges to send him to the Quarterfinals, eliminating him from the competition.

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Trivia

 * Leonid the Magnificent has been eliminated from the competition five times (3 times in Season 1, once each in Seasons 2 and 6), more than any other act in the history of America's Got Talent.