The act wrapped up, leaving the audience in a state of awe. It was now time for the feedback portion where the well-respected judges would share their thoughts on the contestants’ performances. To add a little drama, the producers had roped in a surprise celebrity judge, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats.

The host brought Julio to the limelight with a warm greeting.

"It's a privilege to have you here, Mr. Cugat. What brought you to our stage?"

Julio responded with a charming smile and a confident demeanor.

"When fate knocks, you answer. Ariana's not just any talent; she's an old friend. Supporting her team was the least I could do Whispers flew around the room. Most were taken aback. Who would have guessed that the head of this lesser-known company had ties with the renowned Julio?

The cameras swung to Ariana, seated gracefully among the crowd. Even with minimal makeup, she had a glow about her that put the more flamboyant efforts of others to shame.

The comments on the live feed were full of admiration.

“Based on looks alone, she's got my vote!"

“A boss who outshines the stars? Legendary."

“She's friends with Julio? Talk about impressive."

“Don't just go by appearances. Ariana's proving herself."

“Didn't see that coming from her team. What a turnaround!"

The grapevine was abuzz, trying to piece together Ariana's story and whether her so-called underdogs might be the dark horses.

After a few words lauding Ariana and her crew, the host shifted gears to the much-anticipated feedback round.

As for the celebrity judges? They were kept in the shadows, waiting for their moment to weigh in.

The four judges were seasoned pros. They acknowledged the esteemed Julio before diving into their feedback.

They all seemed to be on the same page: the team had blown them away.

Melding hip-hop with a musical was a bold move, but boy, did they nail it. Both sound and visuals were spot on.

The rookies were given impressive scores, ranging from 7 to 9.

Then, in a grand reveal, the lights shone on the surprise fifth judge. And there she was, the dazzling Sadie.