America's Got Talent
Page: 3
America’s Got Talent has returned to our screens, and the tears have already begun flowing.The auditions are always a mixed bag. To paraphrase Forrest Gump, you never know what you’re going to get. With the Mzansi Youth Choir’s debut performance on the season 18 opener, we got something special. The choir from South Africa was inspired by the story of the late Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski, a talented singer who shone on the 2021 AGT stage, and blew away judges with her own audition. On that occasion, Marczewski scored a golden buzzer with an original song, “It’s OK.” Following that performance, the singer revealed that she had a 2% chance of survival from cancer that had spread to her lungs, spine and liver. The video garnered millions of views on YouTube and her performance warranted a standing ovation from all four judges.Nightbirde exited AGT weeks later to focus on her health. Her story ended in tragedy, when Marczewski passed away in 2022, aged just 31. She’s gone, but not forgotten. And on Tuesday night (March 30), Mzansi Youth Choir ensured her music would live on, and her legacy would continue, by covering “It’s OK”. Hailing from Soweto, a township of Johannesburg, the choir was formed 20 years ago as a safe space for youngsters to develop and grow.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Following the TV performance, tears. On stage, at the judging table and in living rooms around the world.
“For anyone who doesn’t know, we lost a very very special person from our AGT family. Her name was Jane. Her nickname was Nightbirde, and she sang this song,” Heidi Klum recapped for the audience. “It was really beautiful. Thank you.”
“That was the perfect AGT audition, remarked Sofia Vergara.
Howie Mandel was moved by what he heard and saw: “I’ll always remember Nightbirde. And to see that it touched people on the other side of the globe, unbelievable. You deserve so much more than a yes. And to be here, you deserve a thank-you.”Judge Simon Cowell wore his emotions for the world to see. “This brought back so many memories for me,” he said, trembling and wiping tears from his face. “I know how much this would have meant to her. Right to the end she was so passionate about sharing her music…you’ve come back here with the most amazing tribute. It was perfect.”The singers wouldn’t be denied. They earned the Golden Buzzer, and with it, a slice of history. Passage through the competition was awarded by the audience, a moment never seen before in AGT.
Watch below.
America’s Got Talent: All-Stars premiered on Monday (Jan. 2) and it has already been a jaw dropper.
Aerialist Alan Silva (Season 15), poet Aneeshwar Kunchala (Britain’s Got Talent 2022), hand-balancing group Bello Sisters (Season 15), a Capella group Berywam (Season 14), singer Caly Bevier (Season 11), singer Jeanick Fournier (Canada’s Got Talent winner 2022), singer Jimmie Herrod (Season 16), dance group Light Balance Kids (Season 14), magician Lioz (Season 10) and ventriloquist Terry Fator (Season 2 winner) all took the stage for the first episode, bringing the heat to the competition.
However, Fator — one of the most successful contestants in AGT history — was sent home. After winning the competition in 2007, the then-42-year-old signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Mirage in Las Vegas and regularly made Forbes’s annual list of highest-paid comedians.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
“I’m going to let in on a little secret,” Cowell told the champion during the episode. “When we decided to make All-Stars, we had one condition: We’re only going to do it if you competed. Seriously! Because if you’re going to say we’ve got the ‘best of the best,’ then you’ve got to get the best of the best.”
Bevier, Berywam, Fournier, Herrod, Kenchala, Silva and Lioz also went home during the premiere episode. On the other hand, Light Balance Kids snagged the Golden Buzzer from judge Howie Mandel, sending them straight to the finale. The Bello Sisters also made it to the finale thanks to winning the super fan vote.
America’s Got Talent: All-Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
Roslyn Singleton, who first shot to viral fame with her husband in 2020, passed away on Tuesday (Nov. 15) after a lengthy battle with brain cancer. She was 39.
“WELL DONE!! Our wife earned her wings yesterday while peacefully sleeping right at home where she wanted to be,” Ray Singleton shared on Instagram. “This road ahead is going to be INCREDIBLY long & difficult! She taught us all SOMETHING…She’s where we’re all trying to get one day so no need to be sad! Now we celebrate her legacy, her impact, her story & HER SPIRIT! She will LIVE FOREVER!!”
The singer’s sad announcement garnered responses in the comments section from famous faces like Dwyane Wade, H.E.R., D-Nice and more.
The Singletons’ story became well-known after Ray posted a viral video of himself singing to Roslyn as she prepared to go in for surgery to fight the cancer. The sweet video led to an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and Ray later competed on Season 16 of America’s Got Talent, making it all the way to the Deliberations round.
During his audition for the NBC reality show, Ray brought Roslyn out to meet the judging panel and sang Andy Grammer’s “I Am Yours” to her. “Actually, the reason I’m here is because of my wife,” he told Simon Cowell and co. at the time. “She’s a U.S. Navy veteran. She is also a brain cancer survivor. And tonight, I am very happy to announce she is cancer free.”
Read Ray’s touching tribute to Roslyn and relive their emotional introduction on AGT below.