America's Got Talent Season 16 1st Runner-up Aidan Bryant guest on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'

PRINCE GEORGE – Teen Aerialist Aidan Bryant went from swinging on his tree in Virginia, to competing on America’s Got Talent in Hollywood, to filming at the Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank. 

The Prince George High School student who won the hearts of America and finished as the AGT Season 16 1st Runner-up was a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show [Ellen Show] on Monday.

DeGeneres invited Bryant to show off his impressive skills and to chat with her about how he got started with the not-so-easy hobby.

Bryant's brother Colton Bryant and his mom Pam Bennett joined him on his exciting adventure. A driver hired by the Ellen show met the L.A. airport and transported them around the entire time.

The trio stayed at the Coast Annabelle Hotel located at the center of the entertainment mecca in Burbank, Calif.

"Aidan choreographed his sphere routine in his head while riding on the plane," shared his mom. "He went to the studio early to practice it a few times."

The family groupies sat in the audience seats while Bryant practiced his routine. His mom snapped some keepsake photos.

After the Ellen Show's crewspotted Pam Bennett's photos on social media of her son having fun performing contortion on DeGeneres's set, they included his table-top skills on the show.

Before meeting DeGeneres and performing on his sphere apparatus to the "House of the Rising Sun" by Hidden Citizens,  Bryant rested a few hours. 

"I was super excited to be on the show and to meet Ellen," said 17-year-old Bryant.

DeGeneres introduced "the incredible Aidan Bryant from Prince George, Va."

Barefooted with an enormous smile on his face, the aerialist ran to the host after his amazing performance. DeGeneres, who was beaming quite broadly herself, tugged Bryant's t-shirt down in the back while receiving one of his squeezy hugs.

Bryant mentioned his now-famous "bed-sheet granny" and how one of his toes has turned white which he refers to as "ankle drop" caused by impact.

DeGeneres played clips of Bryant's mom using a golf cart to lift her son up on a tree branch to practice. It was obvious how she is truly amazed at Bryant's self-taught talent.

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Bryant performed a fancy, graceful handstand on the low-to-the-ground table right before her eyes. The audience applauded and DeGeneres said, "Oh my God. You're amazing! You're amazing. Really amazing!"

DeGeneres gifted Bryant with a swag bag which included an Ellen coffee mug, sweatshirt, sunglasses, autograph, and an Ellen DeGeneres Funko Pop figure.

Anderson Cooper and Demi Lovato

Journalist and CNN Anchor Anderson Cooper was also a guest along with Bryant. Cooper talks with DeGeneres about his new book “Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty,” which centers on his famous family.

Demi Lovato appeared on the same episode but not in person. Audience members and viewers at home watched The Ellen DeGeneres Show's Executive Producer Andy Lassner and Lovato tour a haunted house at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights.

Magician and stand-up comedian

AGT Season 16 winners Magician Dustin Tavella and third place winner Stand-up Comedian Josh Blue were also invited to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show after the AGT 2021 ended.

DeGeneres commented to Blue how it had been 15 years since his first appearance on her show.

"I know it took this long to get me back, Ellen. I had to get third on AGT...to have me back," quipped 42-year-old Blue.

DeGeneres congratulated 35-year-old Tavella of Virginia Beach on his win saying, "Congratulations, I mean...both of you were great. I mean the aerial guy...he's incredible, too."

Read this story at progress-index.com to watch Aidan Bryant on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Season 19 Episode 16 which aired October 4 on CBS. 

Psst...Bryant will serve as the grand marshal in the 2021 Prince George County Christmas Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 3:00 p.m. It begins at Beazley Elementary School and travels Courthouse Road.

- Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter, and subscribe to us at progress-index.com.