Michael Cunio

**Michael Cunio** was a singer act on Season A of *FuzGT*. He finished the competition as runner-up.

## About

Cunio, described as the "spawn of Freddie Mercury & Janis Joplin" has performed all over the world as a featured vocalist/MC for Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox. His debut collaboration was a Queen inspired cover of The Buggles' Video Killed the Radio Star which has received over a million views on YouTube. He gained national attention as the "electrifying wailer" in PBS retro-rock group Under the Streetlamp and his "gloriously gritty" solo album Back Alley Soul debuted at #6 on iTunes R&B/Soul charts.

In 2019 Cunio joined popular circus Teatro ZinZanni as their first male "chanteuse" filling a role previously held by musical icons including Ann Wilson, Liv Warfield, Joan Baez & Thelma Houston. He's a resident vocalist for Drama Desk Award winning dance company Company XIV, most recently as The White Rabbit in their record breaking production Queen of Hearts and semi annually as Droselmeyer in Nutcracker Rouge. Stage roles include Pilate/Jesus Christ Superstar (Lyric Opera of Chicago), Tommy DeVito/Jersey Boys (Nat'l Tour), Corny Collins/Hairspray (Broadway) and he is an Ovation Award winner for Reefer Madness (World Premiere). Regionally, he's starred at American Repertory Theater, Arkansas Rep, North Shore Music Theatre and The Kennedy Center. Cunio is also sought after MC and a fixture of NYC's Burlesque & nightlife scene, regularly appearing at Duane Park, The Box, The Slipper Room, House of Yes and with Dances of Vice. [1]

## Audition

Michael Cunio’s audition in Episode A01 consisted of him singing Etta James’s “At Last”. Fuz, Ace, and Spinach voted “Yes”, sending Michael to the Mop Round.

## Mop Round

Michael Cunio’s Mop Round performance in Episode A10 consisted of him singing James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World". Fuz gave him a standing ovation. His performance was strong enough for the judges to send him to the Quarterfinals instead of Eran Amir.

## Quarterfinals

Michael Cunio's Quarterfinals performance in Episode A11 consisted of him singing Michael Jackson's "Thriller", reimagining the song as a jazz number, while accompanied by backup dancers. Fuz and Ace gave him standing ovations. Michael placed in either seventh or eighth in the vote; in the Judges' Choice, all three judges unanimously voted for him, advancing him to the Semifinals instead of Mummenschanz.

## Semifinals

Michael Cunio's Semifinals performance in Episode A14 consisted of him singing The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star", reinterpreting the song as a Queen-esque rock ballad. Fuz, Ace, and Fresh all gave him standing ovations. Once again, Michael placed in either sixth or seventh in the vote; in the Judges' Choice, Fuz and Fresh voted for Michael, advancing him to the Semifinals instead of Main Street.

## Finals

Michael Cunio's Finals performance in Episode A16 consisted of him singing The Beatles' "Oh! Darling". Fuz, Ace, and Fresh all gave him standing ovations. During the Finale, Michael was revealed to have received enough votes to advance to the Top 6 of the night over Ilana Yahav. In the end, he finished the competition in 2nd place, ahead of Coming True, Jervy Hou, Brian Hull, and Alexandr Magala, but behind Randy Feltface.

## Trivia

* Michael is the first act to ever win the Judges' Choice twice.
* Michael is tied with Lianne La Havas from Season D for having the highest placement of a singing act on *FuzGT*, with both performers having ending their respective seasons as runner-up.