The Hot Shot Tap Dancers was a tap dance group from Season 5 of America's Got Talent. The group was eliminated in the Quarterfinals, but it returned for the Wild Card Show, where it was eliminated again.
Background[]
The Hot Shot Tap Dancers is a family of four siblings that hail from Portland, Oregon, and have been dancing together for approximately 20 years. Carl Massey, age 25, and Bethany Massey, 24, began The Hot Shot Tap Dancers on the sidewalks of the Portland Saturday Market when Carl was 7 and Beth was 6. Brothers Lloyd Massey, now 22, and Kyle Massey, 19, joined them as soon as they were big enough to climb up on the stage.
They have a unique, individual approach to Tap, which have helped them create their own distinct brand of entertainment. Although tap is their main focus, they are multitalented entertainers whose shows are diverse with hip hop, comedy, and acrobatics, all skills learned as kids performing for tips on the streets of Portland. After 10 years of dancing at street festivals, they've expanded to the professional stage performing at banquets, fairs, concerts and conferences. Their goal on America's Got Talent was to bring tap dancing to the masses with their energetic acts, sharp dance moves and charming family dynamic. 1
Audition[]
The Hot Shot Tap Dancers' audition in Episode 508 in Portland, Oregon consisted of tap dancing to "Pump It." Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel all voted "Yes," sending the group to the Vegas Round.
Vegas Round[]
The Hot Shot Tap Dancers were one of the Judges' Favorites in the Vegas Round. They were sorted into the "Dance Acts" category. Their performance in Episode 511 consisted of again tap dancing to "Shut Up and Let Me Go." Their performance was rocky because one of the brothers tripped and missed a step in the performance. Nevertheless, their audition was strong enough for the judges to send them to the Quarterfinals.
Quarterfinals[]
The Hot Shot Tap Dancers' Quarterfinals performance in Episode 513 in Week 1 consisted of tap dancing to "Beggin'." Piers Morgan thought it was a step up from their past performances, but he found it too safe and didn't have a "wow" factor. Sharon Osbourne loved the performance and their style. Howie Mandel liked the blend of classic tap dancing with modern music, but felt that they spent too much time on the chereography. The Hot Shot Tap Dancers did not receive enough votes to finish in at least fifth place in America's Vote, eliminating them from the competition in Episode 514 along with Maricar, instead of Christina & Ali.
Wild Card[]
The Hot Shot Tap Dancers were brought back by Howie Mandel for the Wild Card Show. Its performance in Episode 523 consisted of tap dancing to "Rockin' to the Beat" as a group.Howie said they did not focus much, dancing too much, so he was bored. Piers Morgan, who agreed the choreography was boring and messy, buzzed the act. Sharon Osbourne loved them, but felt one of them should stand out from the others, instead of the dancers doing the same moves. The group did not receive enough votes to be sent to the Semifinals, eliminating it from the competition in Episode 524 along with RNG, instead of Anna and Patryk.
After the Show[]
Lloyd Massey died after being hit by a car on March 11, 2016. He was 28. [1]