Local motocross rider Julian Dusseau will appear on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” at 8 p.m. tonight alongside his Metal Mulisha brethren for a shot at the show’s final round and a cash prize of $1 million.
The 31-year-old daredevil will compete against what he calls “a handful of dancers, musicians and puppet guys” for enough votes to advance to the final round.
Dusseau, an Arcata High alumnus, grew up in Fieldbrook and learned to race motorcycles at the now defunct Phillipsville Racetrack. He got his big break when he was still a teenager. At 15, he was allowed to ride in a showcase at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds with some of the sport’s biggest names. He earned his first sponsorship soon after the event.
“I got my first motorcycle when I was 11, and haven’t got off it since,” Dusseau said. “During my junior and senior years, I did shows all summer long and decided to pursue that professionally after high school.”
The freestyle-motocross rider landed big name sponsorship with Metal Mulisha and Rockstar Energy Drink about five years ago, and now performs for crowds around the world.
Dusseau’s lifelong friend Noah Samson admits he’s never watched the NBC show until now, but said he plans to vote for his friend as many times as possible.
“He’s the man. Anyone involved in Humboldt motorcycle riding is rallying behind him,” Samson said. “It’s hilarious watching the show because they are comparing some of the gnarliest motocross riders with the glitziest boy bands. It couldn’t be more of a juxtaposition.”
You can vote for Dusseau as soon the show airs on the east coast at 5 p.m., and you can keep voting until 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. Each person is allowed to vote 30 times — 10 times through the NBC app, 10 times on Facebook and 10 times via a toll-free telephone number.
Here is the Mulishas’ appearance on last week’s episode: