Akash Vukoti
Vukoti in 2020
Born (2009-05-29) May 29, 2009
Rockville, Maryland, U.S.
Years active2012–present
Websiteakashvukoti.com

Akash Vukoti is an Indian-American child prodigy and TV personality from San Angelo, Texas. He competed for a record 6 times at the Scripps National Spelling Bee[1] and was the first-ever first grader to compete in the bee. His first television appearance was in the NBC TV show Little Big Shots with Steve Harvey in March 2016.[2][3][4][5][6]

Academic achievements

Akash competing at the 2016 Scripps National Spelling Bee

Vukoti competed in his first spelling bee when he was 2 years old.[7] He was inducted into American Mensa at the age of 3 and became a Davidson Young Scholar[8] at the age of 5.[9] He became the first-ever first grader to compete in the history of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the age of 6 years, in 2016.[10][11][12][13] He later competed in the 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bees. This made Vukoti the only person to compete at the Scripps National Spelling Bee for a record 6 times.[14][15][16][17][1][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]

Akash competing at the 2023 Scripps National Spelling Bee

Television shows & media coverages

Vukoti was featured on several TV shows, such as Little Big Shots in Season 1 (2016), Season 2 (2017) and Little Big Shots UK (Episode 4) in 2017.[25][26][27][28] He was also featured on the Steve Harvey talk show,[29][30] Jimmy Kimmel Live!,[31][32][33] and The Preachers[34] in 2016. He appeared as a guest on the Harry show in 2017.[35] Akash was also featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show on November 10, 2020.[36]

On September 25, 2018, Vukoti was announced as one of the celebrities who would compete on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors,[37][38] a spin-off of Dancing with the Stars. He is the youngest celebrity competitor in Dancing with the Stars history.[39][40] His professional partner was Kamri Peterson and the couple were mentored by Witney Carson. The trio were eliminated 7th from the competition on November 18, 2018.

Vukoti was interviewed live on CNN International from Hong Kong and CTV from Canada in 2016.[41] He was interviewed on Australia’s The Morning Show of Seven Network in 2019[42] and again in 2021,[43] and by TV9 Telugu in Hyderabad, India on January 14, 2020.[44][45] Vukoti runs his YouTube channel,[46] which has garnered over 800,000 subscribers and over 125 million views as of May 2023.[47] Vukoti has also done commercials for IBM,[48] Amazon Kindle[49] and the Scripps National Spelling Bee.[50]

Documentaries and films

Vukoti has been featured in HBO and BBC documentaries. Episode 231 of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel titled “Brain Games and Mental Athletes” featured Vukoti and aired on June 21, 2016, on HBO.[51] The BBC documentary The Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed showcased Vukoti's talent in the episode "Learn" and aired on October 9, 2017, on BBC Two.[52]

He has been featured in the award-winning documentary film Spelling the Dream,[53][54][55][56][57] which released on Netflix on June 3, 2020, in over 190 countries. The film has generated positive reviews from around the world.[58][59][60][61][62][63]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Distributor Country Release Date Ref.
2017 The Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed BBC UK October 9 [52]
2020 Spelling the Dream Netflix Worldwide June 3 [58][54]

Television

Year Title Channel Country Notes Ref.
2016 Little Big Shots NBC USA Season 1, Episode 1; Aired March 8

Season 1, Episode 9; Top 10 Moments; Aired May 8

 [25][64]
2016 Steve Harvey Syndication USA Aired March 11 [29]
2016 Jimmy Kimmel Live! ABC USA Aired June 2 [31][32][33]
2016 Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel HBO USA Brain Games; Aired June 21 [51]
2016 The Preachers Syndication USA Aired July 11 [34]
2017 Little Big Shots UK ITV UK Aired March 29 [28]
2017 Little Big Shots NBC USA Season 2, Episode 7; Aired April 23 [27]
2017 Harry Syndication USA Aired April 27 [35]
2018 Dancing with the Stars: Juniors ABC USA Eliminated 7th in the 6th week; Aired October 7 to November 18 [37][38][65]
2020 Akashamanta TV9 Telugu India Television special; Aired January 13 [66]
2020 The Kelly Clarkson Show Syndication USA Season 2; Aired November 10 [36]

Awards

Vukoti receiving the Global Child Prodigy Award from Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Dr. Kailash Sathyarthi
Year Association Award Category Place Ref.
2017 Telugu Association of North America Special Recognition Award Spelling & Language St. Louis [67]
2017 North America Telugu Society[68] Honorary Title

Dhaarana Vaamana

 Special Honor Chicago [69]
2020 Global Child Prodigy Awards[70] Global Child Prodigy Award 2020 Language New Delhi [71][72]

Personal life

Akash Vukoti is the son of Chandrakala Jandyam and Dr. Krishna M Vukoti, who immigrated to the United States from Andhra Pradesh, India. Akash has an elder sister Amrita, who is also a Davidson Young Scholar and a member of Mensa.[73] Both Amrita and Akash Vukoti competed in the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee.[74][75]

Philanthropy

Vukoti has donated to various non-profit organizations like Children's Miracle Network in San Angelo, Wikipedia, Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, Telangana CM Relief Fund, Water.org and Kerala Floods Relief Fund. He has also donated to Bharat Ke Veer,[76] an Indian government initiative supporting the families of deceased Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles personnel. Vukoti has also donated to non-profit organizations the American Red Cross Society and the Government of India's PM CARES Fund to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic.[77]

References

  1. 1 2 Astor, Maggie (2023-06-01). "Akash Vukoti competed for a record sixth time". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  2. ↑ Sullivan, Bartholomew (May 25, 2016). "6-year-old Texan misspells word, ending his spelling bee competition". USA TODAY.
  3. ↑ French, Megan (May 26, 2016). "Scripps National Spelling Bee's Youngest Contestant Akash Vukoti Was Too C-U-T-E: See Him in Action". US Magazine.
  4. ↑ Weller, Chris (March 30, 2016). "Meet the 6-year-old genius who will steal the show at this year's national spelling bee". Business Insider.
  5. ↑ Moore, Jack (May 26, 2016). "This Six-Year-Old Was the First Star of the 2016 National Spelling Bee". GQ.
  6. ↑ Why 6-Year-Old Spelling Bee Whiz Akash Vukoti Became a Global Sensation - POPSUGAR, retrieved 2019-12-08
  7. ↑ "MastiSpell". MastiSpell 2012.
  8. ↑ "Gifted Program | Davidson Young Scholars". www.davidsongifted.org.
  9. ↑ Weir, Kelli. "G-E-N-I-U-S: Jackson Township siblings are among youngest Mensa members". The Repository. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  10. ↑ Shapira, Ian. ""A 6-year-old charms the National Spelling Bee before getting eliminated"". Washington Post.
  11. ↑ Farrington, Dana. ""6-Year-Old May Be Out Of Spelling Bee, But This Kid Is A Winner". NPR". NPR.
  12. ↑ "Vukoti wins San Angelo Area Spelling Bee". San Angelo. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  13. ↑ Gaitan, Michelle. "San Angelo Spelling Bee names new winner".
  14. ↑ Kirkl, Justin (2018-05-31). "The Kids Are A-L-R-I-G-H-T: Inside the Journey to Scripps' National Spelling Bee". Esquire. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  15. ↑ NUCKOLS, BEN. "Speller balances bee with reality TV, social media stardom". Associated Press News.
  16. ↑ "Akash Vukoti takes champion title at spelling bee". ConchoValleyHomepage.com. 2021-03-20. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
  17. ↑ Liebergen, Stephanie. "Scripps National Spelling Bee Returns After Pandemic Pause". Newsy.
  18. ↑ Bahrampour, Tara (2023-05-30). "Can you spell determination? He's back at the Bee for try No. 6". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  19. ↑ America, Good Morning. "14-year-old competes in Scripps National Spelling Bee for a 6th time". Good Morning America. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  20. ↑ Miller, Mark (2023-05-11). "Scripps National Spelling Bee To Host 231 Spellers At 2023 Bee Week". TV News Check. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  21. ↑ Company, The E. W. Scripps. "Scripps National Spelling Bee to host 231 spellers at 2023 Bee Week". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  22. ↑ 34th Annual San Angelo Area Spelling Bee, retrieved 2023-02-13
  23. ↑ Miller, Chad (2023-02-13). "Vukoti wins fifth San Angelo Area Spelling Bee". ConchoValleyHomepage. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  24. ↑ 95th Scripps National Spelling Bee, Round Results for Round 4, retrieved 2023-05-31
  25. 1 2 "Little Big Shots | Steve Harvey and Akash Funny Spelling Bee | Season 1 2016 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  26. ↑ Barrett, Daija (April 21, 2017). "Spelling Bee Whiz Akash Vukoti Returns to Little Big Shots". ConchoValley Homepage.
  27. 1 2 Paschal, Nick (April 24, 2017). "Steve Harvey Schools Spelling Bee Champ on 'Words From the Hood'". Yahoo.
  28. 1 2 Little brainbox Akash can spell any word! | Little Big Shots, retrieved 2022-05-08
  29. 1 2 "Precocious local speller drawing national attention, studying hard". gosanangelo.com. March 12, 2016.
  30. ↑ Gowra, Nikhita (2017-05-02). "W-o-n-d-e-r kid". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
  31. 1 2 13th Annual Jimmy Kimmel Live Spelling Bee, retrieved 2019-12-08
  32. 1 2 "Jimmy Kimmel's Spelling Bee Competition Is Extra Challenging, Thanks to Guillermo". Hollywood Reporter. June 3, 2016.
  33. 1 2 Seemayer, Zach (June 3, 2016). "Jimmy Kimmel Hilariously Challenges Spelling Bee co-champions to an Epic Showdown". ETOnline.
  34. 1 2 "TV Show | Spelling bee | The Preachers FOX TV SHOW 2016". YouTube. 2016-07-11.
  35. 1 2 Connick Jr., Harry, Harry's Spelling Bee Competition, retrieved 2019-12-08
  36. 1 2 Kelly & Anthony Anderson Compete In Spelling Bee, 2020-11-10, retrieved 2020-11-12
  37. 1 2 "Akash Vukoti - Dancing with the Stars". abc.com. Archived from the original on 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  38. 1 2 Sutton, Samuel (December 10, 2018). "San Angelo whiz kid Akash Vukoti talks Dancing with the Stars and future plans". gosanangelo.com. Retrieved 2019-12-08.
  39. ↑ Montgomery, Daniel (2018-11-19). "Akash Vukoti was axed from 'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors' despite bringing his Bollywood best to the dance floor [WATCH]". GoldDerby. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  40. ↑ Burtt, Kristyn (2018-11-12). "'Dancing with the Stars: Juniors': Akash Vukoti Jumps at a 'Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity'". dancedishwithkb. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  41. ↑ "CNN International | LIVE interview from 2016 | Akash Vukoti - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  42. ↑ "Akash Vukoti is the youngest competitor ever at the Scripps National Spelling Bee". 7news.com.au. July 3, 2019.
  43. ↑ The Morning Show 2021 | Australia TV Show on Channel 7 | Funny Interview, retrieved 2021-03-06
  44. ↑ The Youngest Spelling Bee Champ | Akash Vukoti Exclusive interview | TV9, retrieved 2020-04-18
  45. ↑ Vukoti, Akash. "latest". AKASH VUKOTI. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
  46. ↑ "Akash Vukoti - YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  47. ↑ "Akash Vukoti - YouTube". YouTube. 2023-02-13. Archived from the original on 2023-02-13. Retrieved 2023-02-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  48. ↑ Vukoti, Akash. "IBM Commercial". AKASH VUKOTI. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  49. ↑ Vukoti, Akash. "Amazon Kindle". AKASH VUKOTI. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  50. ↑ Vukoti, Akash. "Scripps Spelling Bee ESPN". AKASH VUKOTI. Retrieved 2020-04-15.
  51. 1 2 Brain Games & Mental Athletes: Real Sports Trailer (HBO), retrieved 2019-12-08
  52. 1 2 "The Human Body: Secrets of Your Life Revealed - Gallery". BBC Documentary.
  53. ↑ "Netflix to release documentary featuring San Angelo native, Akash Vukoti". ConchoValleyHomepage.com. 2020-03-27. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  54. 1 2 Goodrich, Barry (April 3, 2018). "What It Takes to W-I-N". clevelandmagazine.com/.
  55. ↑ "Breaking The Bee". clevelandfilm.org. Archived from the original on 2019-04-05. Retrieved 2019-12-04.
  56. ↑ Raj, Yashwant (May 27, 2018). "Breaking the bee: Indian kids are spelling out a new sport in America". Hindustan Times.
  57. ↑ "Spelling the Dream". Spelling the Dream. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  58. 1 2 Qureshi, Bilal (2020-06-03). "'Spelling the Dream' Review: Words of Inspiration". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
  59. ↑ Anderson, John (2020-06-02). "'Spelling the Dream' Review: A Long Spell of Dominance". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
  60. ↑ Lee, Benjamin (2020-06-04). "Spelling the Dream review – slight but charming Netflix documentary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
  61. ↑ "Spelling the Dream review: Decoding Indian magic". The Indian Express. 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
  62. ↑ Poorvaja, S. (2020-06-02). "'Spelling the Dream' review: How do you spell 's-u-c-c-e-s-s'?". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
  63. ↑ Bradley, D. M. (2020-06-18). "Film Review: Spelling the Dream". The Adelaide Review. Retrieved 2020-07-05.
  64. ↑ Yahr, Emily (2016-03-17). "How did NBC's 'Little Big Shots' shock the TV industry by scoring so many viewers?". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  65. ↑ France, Lisa Respers (2018-09-26). "Meet the cast of 'Dancing With the Stars: Juniors'". CNN. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
  66. ↑ The Youngest Spelling Bee Champ! : Akash Vukoti Exclusive interview - TV9, retrieved 2022-05-08
  67. ↑ "TANA Patrika - January 2018". drive.google.com. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  68. ↑ "NATS WORLD - North America Telugu Society". NATS WORLD.
  69. ↑ "NATS Akshara Deepika - June 2017". drive.google.com. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  70. ↑ "Global Child Prodigy Awards - Official Website". March 2, 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-03-02.
  71. ↑ Rathore, Reena. "Young Indian American Geniuses Honored with '2020 Global Child Prodigy Awards'". India West. Archived from the original on 2020-02-03. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  72. ↑ Jha, Ankur Kumar (2019-12-31). "KIIT Presents Global Child Prodigy Awards 2020 Honoring Top 100 Prodigies". thelogicalindian.com. Retrieved 2020-03-23.
  73. ↑ Weir, Kelli. "G-E-N-I-U-S: Jackson Township siblings are among youngest Mensa members". The Repository.
  74. ↑ "Scripps National Spelling Bee". spellingbee.com.
  75. ↑ "Word Whiz Kids Tap Memory Tricks at Spelling Bee | Voice of America - English". www.voanews.com.
  76. ↑ "India's Bravehearts | Bharat Ke Veer". bharatkeveer.gov.in.
  77. ↑ Vukoti, Akash. "Giving Back to Society". AKASH VUKOTI. Retrieved 2020-09-16.
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