The Hungarian talent show “Star Born” returned to RTL screens this season after a 13-year hiatus, quickly establishing itself as a platform for both remarkable skill and unconventional performances. The second episode, broadcast November 16, featured a diverse lineup of acts ranging from aerialists to magicians-and even a performer who ate and regurgitated needles-drawing mixed reactions from the judging panel and sparking considerable buzz online.This report details the most memorable moments from the show, including a surprisingly harsh critique of a contemporary dancer and a controversial act that pushed the boundaries of live television.
The return of “Star Born” to RTL screens after 13 years has been filled with talent and surprising moments, including some truly unforgettable performances. The second episode saw magician Zoltán Virág face the judges, but before he could showcase his skills, hosts Bence Istenes and Péter Puskás quizzed him about his mentor. Virág admitted he had one, but couldn’t recall the name, saying, “I do have one, I just can’t remember the name, it’s been a while.” Péter Puskás guessed Rudolf, while Bence asked, “Péter? Sándor?” – but neither was correct.
Hanging by Their Hair
Zoltán Virág was already on stage when Babett Köllő also asked about his mentor, to which he replied, “I rarely go to see them, and my memory isn’t the best.” “Good line, he just doesn’t want to tell us,” Geszti commented, before the magician attempted to impress the judges with a trick. The performance didn’t quite land, and despite the best efforts of the Puskás–Istenes duo to lighten the mood, the moment felt awkward.
Next up were two aerialists, dressed in shimmering beige outfits. Duo Pannora captivated the audience with a hair-hanging act, gracefully ascending and dancing in the air to the tune of Evanescence’s My Immortal.
It was a truly breathtaking sight, and we couldn’t help but wonder what the artists’ scalps and skulls were going through.
The judges were stunned, and the entire studio gave a standing ovation after the spectacular show. ByeAlex was impressed by the elegance and strength, saying he could watch it for hours. Geszti, who came to “Star Born” to be amazed, was not disappointed. The duo explained that their performance was both special and painful, earning them four “yes” votes to move forward.
Mária Magdolna Ördög arrived with a large basket, offering pancakes to those waiting. The judges were already charmed when they learned that the 76-year-old Mária was performing a pancake-making act. She was given all the tools she needed, with the two hosts acting as “cookers,” passing around the first round of treats, which the judges happily devoured.
A woman with long red hair traveled from Portugal to dazzle the audience with a magic show. Solande Kardinaly stunned viewers by changing outfits in a flash while Madonna’s Material Girl played. She worked the stage with effortless elegance and humor. Babett was captivated, and Geszti and Áron Molnár were also won over by the performance. ByeAlex said he’d never seen anything like it, and she received four “yes” votes.
Áron Molnár Lost It
Zoltán Horváth came to the “Star Born” stage to dance. The 58-year-old man began in casual clothing, with a wide smile on his face, but Áron Molnár quickly gave up, pressing the red buzzer and delivering a harsh critique. He felt the performance brought shame to contemporary dance. “You come on stage, and the whole country is watching, but there’s a price to pay – you could become a meme.”
ByeAlex’s expression spoke volumes, and he pointed out how much he was enjoying Molnár’s frustration. After the next performance, Molnár complained about not understanding why a man was sitting in an armchair, in pajamas, covered with a blanket, and reading a story. The actor exclaimed that “Star Born” had different expectations.
The next contestant, arriving from Ichikawa, Tokyo, stood before the judges with a broad smile, wearing a black shirt and a yellow bow tie. He proudly announced that he could imitate a duck quack with a fart, then lay on his back, raised his legs, placed his hand at his anus, and released the “sound.” Áron Molnár had reached his limit, immediately slamming the red buzzer. “A scandal! Who the hell cares about a farting man?”
It’s truly a surreal experience even to describe someone performing a fart act on the “Star Born” stage. With this skill, he even blew out three candles on a cake held by Péter Puskás.
ByeAlex didn’t hold back in his assessment. “It was tasteless, disgusting, a huge pile of crap.” Áron Molnár took the floor, but what he said wasn’t well-received by the contestant.
Today you haven’t just brought shame on Hungarian culture, because that’s not the standard here, but also on your own culture and people. Now get out, you don’t deserve applause!
– the actor declared, bewilderedly asking Babett Köllő next to him why she hadn’t pressed the red buzzer. Babett initially explained that she had never seen anything like it, but Áron wasn’t convinced, responding more forcefully.
– Let me speak.
– But this is a disgrace.
– Not to me.
ByeAlex humorously tried to smooth over the argument. “Áron, are you crying?” to which Molnár replied more calmly, saying he was out, and that was the end of the story.
The Needles Clinked Metalically
Naimana and Daniele – street performers – came from Italy. They came to sing, as puppeteers; one held a plush alpaca, the other a lamb, and then began to sing in Hungarian to the judges the operetta hit Hajmási Péter, Hajmási Pál. But not just any way: beautifully, with excellent Hungarian pronunciation.
practically, the audience witnessed a throat singing performance.
They won over the judges, who gave a standing ovation after the performance. ByeAlex was smitten, saying they sang beautifully in Hungarian. “This was the best, the best of all the performances.” Geszti said that what they had just seen was not only funny but also world-class. Áron Molnár was also impressed by the puppet.
But that was nothing compared to what followed. The audience held their breath as the next contestant hammered a nail into their own nose, then naturally asked Áron Molnár to pull it out. The actor visibly couldn’t believe his eyes, but he did it.
The performer then took out a bundle of needles threaded on a string. The needles clinked metalically on the thread as he showed them to the camera. But in the next moment, he began to eat them, and the sound of him crunching them in his mouth could be heard. Every smile froze on the faces of the judges.
The performer then opened his mouth wide to show that it was empty, the needles had disappeared. Then he focused intently on something in his stomach area, and began to spit out the needles one by one. But the strangest part was yet to come:
The performer reached for his right eye and slowly, centimeter by centimeter, pulled it out through his tear duct.
ByeAlex then remarked that, in his opinion, there was no need for singers in this show, there was X-Factor for that. “That’s why it sucks to have sat through so many X-Factors. On ‘Star Born,’ if you want to sing and get a yes, you have to be better than on X-Factor.” Well, his theory didn’t come true, because singers did arrive: Nándor Nagy, Mihály Almási, Newman and Sing Company also took the stage – but none of their performances convinced the judges.
Then came Márk Fehér, who sang Etta James’ I’d Rather Go Blind. After his performance, ByeAlex gave a standing ovation, and the judges were also impressed by the performance. He has incredible power, a great voice and a huge chance in “Star Born.” BeAlex said that X-Factor lost a lot by not having him start there. Babett smiled and remarked that “Laci Gáspár will be crying a lot tonight.”
(Cover image: RTL)
