Tanzania Duo of Hamadhani Brothers Win $250,000 at America Got Talent Show




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A performing arts group made up of two brothers, the Ramadani Brothers, became the first Tanzanians to win the prestigious America's Got Talent (AGT) competition.

Brothers Fadhili Ramadhani and Ibrahim Jobu beat out nine other finalists for the coveted title.

The Ramadhani Brothers wowed the judges and the audience with their gravity-defying, balancing act, which involves one acrobat balancing the other's full body weight on his head while traversing different set pieces. 

In addition to nabbing the inaugural Fantasy League trophy, the Ramadhani Brothers also receive a $250,000 grand prize (over TZS 650 million).

The brothers have big plans with the prize money. They want to buy a car for themselves, land to build their own houses and also purchase equipment for other acrobats in Tanzania.

"We plan to upgrade our acrobatic training place in Tanzania and buy more equipment," Ibrahim said. 

"We have a lot of artists in Tanzania," Jobu says. "So, we have to buy some equipment to help them."

For themselves, Ramadhani jokes that it may be time for the group to get a speedier form of transportation.

"We used to go to our training place on foot. I know it’s exercise, but it's too far," Ramadhani says. "So, this time we’re going to be skipping some days and go with wheels."

As for what the future holds, Ramdhani says a headlining slot in Sin City (Las Vegas) is on their minds.

"Our big goal is to get invited to one of the big productions in Vegas," said Ramadhani, and "To be on the big billboards. That's the dream. One day we go to Las Vegas and (we’ll say), 'That is us, Ramadhani Brothers.'"

The hand and head-balancing brothers from Tanzania first came to AGT during season 18 in 2023, but finished in fifth place despite their unbelievably thrilling acts.

AGT judge Heidi Klum then drafted them to her Fantasy League team, but after their qualifiers performance, AGT judge Howie Mandel couldn't help but use his Golden Buzzer to steal the brothers and send them straight to the finale.

"Winning AGT: Fantasy League is the most amazing feeling that we can’t describe!" Fadhili told People magazine after the win. 

"We have been in other Got Talent competitions around the world and have reached every finals but have never won. But winning against past winners of AGT and some of the best acts on the planet, it really raises our status."

Their AGT victory is the culmination of a whirlwind two-year journey. 

The Ramadhani Brothers originally planned to audition for AGT Season 17, but Jobu was unable to obtain his travel visa in time. 

In the interim, the duo appeared on several Got Talent franchise series, including Australia's Got Talent, Got Talent España and Românii au talent, which set the stage for its AGT debut on Season 18.

"We believe our lives are changing from that moment," Ramadhani told USA TODAY. 

"It means a lot for us. We are so happy we can't explain it."