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Why Boy Band Travis Japan Left Howie Speechless: “It Doesn’t Matter What I Say”
Mel B warned fellow Judges that Travis Japan was "bigger and better than ever" on America's Got Talent: Fantasy League.
The boys are back in town in search of their “Dreamy Hollywood." That's right, Travis Japan just brought down the house on America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League where they're competing once again to win it all.
Representing Mel B’s Dream Team, Travis Japan returned to the America’s Got Talent stage, dressed to the nines and armed again with high hopes. The Japanese boy band vied to “make Mel B proud” and heed her advice, especially given the Judge’s history with The Spice Girls.
RELATED: All About Travis Japan, the Boy Band That Wowed the Judges on AGT
“I’m from a girl group, they’re the ultimate boy band,” Mel B said on AGT: Fantasy League's upcoming fourth episode, airing January 22 at 8/7c on NBC. “I mean, it’s a no-brainer.”
Who are Travis Japan?
Travis Japan is a seven-member boy band from Tokyo who first appeared in the Got Talent universe on AGT Season 17. Their high energy, seamless choreography, and original pop songs helped them advance to the semifinals, though they failed to convince Judges to help them go all the way.
“We’ve watched America’s Got Talent for years, and [for] our first Audition, we were so excited,” bandmember Noel Kawashima said of their past performance. “Going to the Live Shows, we did not do our best singing that night.”
The singers and dancers consist of Kaito “Chaka” Miyachika, Kaito “Machu” Matsukura, Noel Kawashima, Shizuya “Shizu” Yoshizawa, Genta “G” Matsuda, Kaito “Umi” Nakamura, and Ryuya “Shime” Shimekake, according to a profile in TMRW Magazine.
The group already has a strong following in Japan, having signed with Universal Music Japan and Capitol Records. Their 2023 album, Road to A, reached number one in their home country, though they currently reside in Los Angeles. Original songs have cracked the Top 10 charts in Japan, including “Candy Kiss,” “Moving Pieces,” and “Just Dance!” the latter of which they performed for their AGTFL Audition.
Travis Japan boasts a steady million followers on Instagram and millions of views on their YouTube channel.
What happened during Travis Japan’s AGT: Fantasy League audition?
Judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel had no problem remembering Travis Japan, especially in light of their “My Dreamy Hollywood” Audition on Season 17. This time, dressed in matching sparkly black suits and ties, Travis Japan came with their original song, “Just Dance!”
The group hoped Judges would see the hard work they’d put into their lively routine since their 2022 elimination. Mel B. said that Travis Japan was “bigger and better than ever.”
“We have been training, we have been practicing, [and] we want to show how much we have improved,” Kawashima said. “We wanted a second chance, and now we have one!”
Audiences cheered as the singers performed the poppy tune, giving synchronized dance moves that even included a few fun flips in the air. Backstage, Mel B previously said the choreography was “complicated” compared to her Spice Girl days.
When asked for his thoughts on the performance, Mandel mumbled, hesitating to offer his thoughts. Klum then jumped in.
“I feel like you totally improved from the last time we saw you guys,” she said.
Klum also loved that Travis Japan returned, despite Mandel being behind their previous elimination. The focus returned to Mandel for his thoughts, but once again, he was speechless.
As for Cowell, he said Travis Japan weren’t “the best singers in the world,” which garnered the boos of the live audience. Cowell, in his defense, said he had good things to add.
“I love the fact that you are old school; actually, every time you come on, it makes me feel happy,” Cowell said. “This was way better than the first Audition we saw.”
It was then time for Mandel to give his thoughts, finally:
“Here’s the thing, it doesn’t matter what I say because, ultimately, the audience has the choice,” he said, earning him a round of applause.
What song did they sing?
Audience members loved Travis Japan’s performance of “Just Dance!”
Not to be confused with Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit song, the original 2022 single by Travis Japan made history when breaking onto the Billboard Global charts (created in 2020), landing in the Top Five with a debut song for the first time since the charts’ inception, per Billboard Japan.
“Just Dance!” would be the boy band’s fifth song on the Billboard charts.
A correlating music video garnered millions of views on YouTube.
With lyrics such as “Just dance, any way you want when you feel a spark,” the song is sure to please young pop fans across the oceans.
Tune in every Monday at 8/7c on NBC to watch AGT: Fantasy League. If you can’t watch the show live, new episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
