Playing hosts again

ALAN WONG and Justin Bratton are returning as hosts for Asia’s Got Talent season 3.
This duo proved to be a dynamic combination when they first landed the gig in season two (2017), taking over from Rovilson Fernandez and Marc Nelson, the show’s first season hosts.
In between seasons, Wong – an actor, model and live event host – was busy appearing in TV series such as Tanglin and Sent. This year, he will appear in sci-fi miniseries Glitch and horror drama Ave 14.
He and Asia’s Got Talent co-host Bratton also co-host 1Z Chats on YouTube.
Bratton, who is an actor, model and filmmaker, recently produced and co-edited the award-winning sci-fi short film Screaming at Stars, which is currently being developed into a feature film.
During a tele-conference interview, Wong and Bratton spoke about their experience on Asia’s Got Talent.
One of season two’s biggest stand-outs was eventual winner Sacred Riana, the ‘possessed’ magician from Indonesia.
Bratton said that she remained in character backstage, and even when doing her makeup.
“I had to go to Jakarta, to her home, to tell her she had advanced to the finals,” he recalled. “And I was the one who ended up getting surprised. She does not break. She is very good at being whatever that is.
“I remember Alan and I milling backstage and we saw her at a distance. We were like: ‘I wonder who that contestant is’. She was dressed like that and we wondered what this little girl could do.

“When we walked by, we quickly realised that this was not a cute little girl.”
The video of her audition went viral, with millions completely mesmerised by her.
“I think what resonated with the audience was the paranormal aspect,” Bratton said. “In Asia, ghost stories and horror movies are a massive thing.”
Bratton also liked magicians Andrew Lee and Shobi Shaker. “Both were phenomenal, both very different and both are doing very well now.”
Wong said that he is really looking forward to dance acts. “I really like dance acts. What you get is so many members on stage at once, and you get to hear their stories about unity and being a family.
“All these dancers who spend their free time after work perfecting these steps. It’s their blood, sweat and tears.
“When they finally perform as a group in front of Asia and they kill it, it is a fun experience watching them celebrate, and celebrating with them.”
Based on season three open auditions they have seen so far (in Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam), what categories stood out for them this year?
Bratton said: “It is hard to say right now. In my gut I think it is going to be some more standout variety acts.
“We had quite a bit of that from the Japanese acts last year and I think there is going to be that from other countries.”
Some of the season two acts also performed this year at Britain’s Got Talent (Andrew Lee) and America’s Got Talent (Sacred Riana and Yumbo Dump).
Watching these editions, it seems that standards are higher on Asia’s Got Talent.
The hosts agree but as they pointed out, the Asian edition has contestants from all over Asia who bring their own piece of culture with them, while the other editions previously only feature acts from their respective country.
When the Japanese comic duo Yumbo Dump, who could make sounds with their bodies, auditioned at America’s Got Talent recently, the audience and three of the judges (including Simon Cowell) found them hilarious, but not fourth judge Mel B who did not get their act at all.
Bratton commented: “Perhaps Mel B just doesn’t have a sense of humour. I don’t understand how you don’t get Yumbo Dump! I still don’t get tired of watching them.”
As open auditions for Asia’s Got Talent have yet to be carried out in Malaysia and Indonesia, Wong was asked what advice he would give to aspiring talents aiming to gain a place on this show.
Wong said: “Don’t be so scared of the judges, because they are a bunch of goofballs just like us.
“They seem super authoritarian and all that, but they like to have fun.
“So go out there and have fun. I know that our judges respond to performers who are having the time of their lives.”
Catch Bratton at the Malaysian open auditions this Sunday (July 8) at Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus in Subang Jaya, Selangor, from 10am onwards.