HILO — The studio lights flashed and the audience cheered as 90-year-old Dorothy Williams — wearing a crimson dress, feather boa, and flashy stockings — graced the “America’s Got Talent” stage, escorted by suit-clad host Nick Cannon.
“Aloha,” Williams, a longtime Hilo resident, said with a grin.
The judges seemed skeptical. Williams appeared unfazed.
“I’m going to dance,” she told them.
In front of a national television audience on Tuesday, Williams belted out the first line of the hit tune “Let Me Entertain You” — and started dancing.
But then came the game-changer.
Williams began shedding her clothing, ultimately stripping down to a nude-colored tank top and red underwear.
Some gasped. Others feigned shock. Williams didn’t seem to care as she seductively thrust her hips with a smile and shook her tasseled bosom to a second tune, appropriately titled “The Stripper.”
“Work it out, Dorothy. That’s a star,” said Cannon, who was so impressed with Williams’ comedic striptease he made an unusual move and gave her a “golden buzzer” — show lingo for a guarantee she’ll advance to the next round.
Williams’ appearance on “America’s Got Talent” has turned her into somewhat of an Internet and social media sensation. A YouTube clip capturing her performance wracked up nearly a half-million views less than 24 hours after it was uploaded.
And thanks to Cannon’s “golden buzzer,” Williams will skip the next “judge cuts” round and appear live on the show Aug. 2, according to Mallory Morehead, a press manager for NBC Entertainment. She’ll be competing against 35 other acts hoping to advance to the show’s finale in September.
But Williams isn’t worried so much about winning. She’s a longtime volunteer in Hilo, former professional clown, and for decades has served as president of the Pomaikai Senior Center. She’s also battled breast cancer and has undergone two knee-replacement surgeries.
She said she decided to audition for the show to be a role model for other senior citizens and encourage them — despite hardships — to follow their dreams.
“I figured if at 90, I can get up on the stage, other seniors would say, ‘OK, well, I can do something, too,’” Williams told the Tribune-Herald on Wednesday. “They might say, ‘I can’t do that, but maybe I can get off the couch and do something rather than watch television all day.’ So my goal would be to be a role model for senior citizens.”
Some Hilo residents might even remember Williams’ strip tease. She first performed it three years ago at the “Big Island Senior Stars Talent Show.” That 2013 performance also was uploaded on YouTube, but hasn’t attracted quite the same following. On Wednesday, it had about 900 views.
But it was enough to capture the attention of “America’s Got Talent” producers who contacted Williams earlier this year and asked her to fly to Los Angeles in March to audition.
“It isn’t every day a 90-year-old person gets on television,” said Williams. “And that’s why my boss said go for it — you’re 90 years old, and you got nothing to lose. So I said, ‘OK, we’ll go for it.’”
Williams is no stranger to the show biz. She worked for decades as an entertainer, starting at age 17, and performed over the years at private parties, veterans hospitals and military events, to name a few. She moved to Hilo 41 years ago and for years worked as a professional clown. Many remember her marching in the yearly Christmas parade, or performing impressive “clowning” feats such as tap dancing while jump roping.
“I’ve known her since I was a little kid as the community clown,” said Diane Diego, a caretaker for one of the senior center residents and Williams’ friend. “She’s just funny. When I saw her, I couldn’t believe it. I thought she was going to do a clown act or something.”
“She’s a firecracker,” added 69-year-old David Downs, Williams’ friend and vice president of the senior center. “I was absolutely impressed by her performance.”
Williams spends most of her time these days planning activities and functions for the seniors at Pomaikai, where she tries to keep the 45-some members of the social club busy with games such as rummy and Mahjong.
Williams said she’s also preparing for her next “America’s Got Talent” appearance, although per rules in the show contract, she wouldn’t say what she’ll do. But she said it will be worth watching.
“It isn’t every day a 90-year-old person gets on television,” she said. “When you go on a second time, it’s got to be bigger and better. I got to take it up a notch, so that’s what I’ll do.”
The show airs Tuesdays and Wednesday evenings on KHNL.
Williams’ latest performance can be found on YouTube at: tinyurl.com/DorothyWilliams.