Lebanese dance troupe The Mayyas was crowned the newest winner at America's Got Talent finale on Wednesday night, September 14, 2022, taking home the $1 million prize and a headlining show at Las Vegas.
The all-female dance act from Lebanon became the first Arab participants to win the popular television show after they received the most votes from the public.
Made up of 36 women, The Mayyas, meaning the proud walk of a lioness, first caught the attention during their audition where they earned judge Sofia Vergara's Golden Buzzer.
Judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel all praised their performances as “astonishing” and “mesmerising”. The group left the audience spellbound with their fluid moves and hypnotising choreography.
In the finale, the crew gave an Arabesque performance wearing golden face masks, white feathered outfits and sparkling globes of light, winning a standing ovation from the judges and crowd.
"We did it! Lebanon, this one's for you," the group posted on Instagram alongside a video of their winning act.
Founded by choreographer Nadim Cherfan, Mayyas also won the sixth season of Arabs Got Talent in 2019.
Messages of congratulations filled Twitter on Thursday morning as Lebanese learned of the win, which had taken place overnight as they were sleeping.
Lebanese singer and diva Haifa Wehbe tweeted: "hats off Mayyas!" with the hashtag #ProudlyLebanese.
