Kelowna’s Bruce Cook made quite an impression on the judges and the audience on America’s Got Talent: Extreme on his appearance on the Mar. 7 episode.
The motocross biker earned the superfan vote to advance to the finale, where he had a chance to win $500,000.
The 34-year old has been paralyzed from the mid-section down since 2014 when he crashed attempting a double front flip.
Cook explained his story, which touched judges Simon Cowell and Nikka Bella. Former X-Games gold medalist Travis Pastrana was the third judge, but wasn’t allowed to vote as a friend of Cook’s.
“Spoiler alert, I didn’t quite land that trick and wound up in a wheelchair,” said Cook.
Cook, in a new dirtbike adjusted for him, rode up a ten-foot ramp and landed a backflip in front of the judges. It was his first time performing in any competition in front of an audience since his accident.
“That was pretty incredible,” said Cowell. “Your determination is really inspiring.”
“I’m so proud of you,” added Pastrana.
“Just because you have a disability doesn’t mean you have to be on the sidelines, and you can be centre stage,” said Cook.
Despite being backed by the judges, Cook didn’t advance to the finale because of the super-fan voting system the show has.
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