Tape Face

Tape Face is a mime act from Season 11 of America's Got Talent.

Background
Tape Face, whose real name is Sam Wills, is from Canterbury, New Zealand. Wills started his performing career as a busker in Christchurch and won the The Press People's Choice Award at the World Buskers Festival in 2008. He used the prize money to develop his hit show The Boy with Tape on his Face, which sold out around the world and attracted dozens of five star reviews.

Wills has packed theatres in Britain, enjoyed several sellout runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and performed at the Royal Albert Hall. His silent comedy shows always sell out when Wills brings them to Christchurch for the World Buskers Festival. Wills married performer Lili la Scala at the buskers festival in Christchurch in 2009. Former World Buskers Festival director Jodi Wright gave Wills his first break by selecting him for her festival. 

Through simple, clever and charming humour aimed at satisfying that hunger, Tape Face has created a unique show. Mime with noise, stand-up with no talking – drama with no acting: Tape Face has to be seen to be believed.

So what does he do exactly? Simply mentioning any aspect of this diverse show would be a disservice – the less you know the more you will enjoy this show. Tape Face aims to be delightful, wry, many-layered and hilarious, and to transcend the barriers of language and culture. 

Audition
Tape Face's audition in Episode 1101 consisted of wearing two oven mitts with eyes as puppets singing Diana Ross & Lionel Richie's "Endless Love." Tape Face then playfully caressed himself with a red dress to Chris de Burgh's "Lady in Red." Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell all voted "Yes," sending Tape Face to the Judge Cuts.

Judge Cuts
Tape Face's Judge Cuts performance in Episode 1109 consisted of first miming flying in a helicopter by spinning a toothbrush with one finger. Next, he spun on a stool to portray free falling. Next, he invited Howie Mandel to the stage and put tape on Howie's shirt in the shape of eyes and a nose. Finally, Tape Face placed a piece of paper on Howie's belly to act as a singing mouth.