Arthur Davis III was among those selected as a finalist in the “America’s Got Talent” competition, the hit NBC show hosted by Regis Philbin.

“America’s Got Talent”, a vote-by-audience competition referred to by some as a “modern day Gong Show”, will televise two more weeks of semifinals. The finals will be held in August.

Davis and partner Shenea Booth, performing as the acro-gymnastic duo ‘Realis’, launched themselves into the final last night by wowing judges David Hasselhoff (of “Knight Rider” and “Baywatch fame), Brandy (Grammy winner and television star) and Piers Morgan, U.K. television/media personality.

Davis, 31, grew up in Indio and attended Christian School of the Desert.

His parents, Cheryl Davis and Dr. Arthur Davis have lived in Indio for more than 20 years.

Cheryl Davis said her son has been competing since he was 13 years old. He and Booth are two time world acrogymnastics champions, she said.

They are performing at Sea World and at the San Diego Zoo this summer, she said, sometimes doing as many as five shows a day.

Davis said her son has worked hard for many years without seeing much return on the investment for all his efforts.

But that all may be changing — especially if he and Booth take first place — and take home the $1 million in prize money.

“I’m really proud of him. It’s been really frustrating to see how hard he’s worked,” and not receive any sponsorship support.

She said that’s because acro-gymnastics is not an Olympic sport and the interest just isn’t there, she said.

“It’s nice to see them finally get recognition,” she said.

“America’s Got Talent” airs at 8 p.m. on Wednesday nights. The live results show is broadcast Thursday nights at 9 p.m.