[cheering]
- Whoa!
- I think what you did was one of the most
extraordinary things I've seen
in all the years I've been on "America's Got Talent."
[echoes]
[Keala Settle's "This is Me"]
- Absolutely incredible.
* *
- Amazing.
- * I'm not scared to be seen *
- This is going to change your life.
- You will be going all the way to the live show in Hollywood!
- This was your moment.
- Breathtaking.
- Wow!
- Absolutely brilliant.
* *
- It was world-class.
- Wow, wow, wow!
- This is a big deal.
* This is me *
[cheers fade]
- Okay, Simon, today we are going to count down your top 15
favorite Golden Buzzer moments in "AGT" history.
How do you feel about this, man?
- Well-- - The top 15.
- It was quite hard, actually.
It was a question of, obviously acts I loved,
and also seeing what were the really, really popular ones.
So it's kind of a mixture of both.
But I think in my opinion, these are the greatest
Golden Buzzer moments throughout the series.
- Yeah, that's an elite class. - Yeah, yeah.
I mean, obviously--yeah, I didn't include this year's
because I thought, actually, it would be unfair.
- Yeah. Now, talk to me
about how the Golden Buzzer came about.
- It started in 2015, and the idea was,
if you get the Golden Buzzer,
you get straight through to the live shows.
What we didn't realize, if I'm being honest with you,
is how big a moment the Golden Buzzer was going to become.
I mean, boy, did it transform the show.
- Why is the Golden Buzzer so special?
- It's that moment which is totally unique to this show.
- That's right.
- It's like being awarded
the gold medal for auditioning,
and because these clips live online,
it travels all over the world within seconds.
So when you've got a great Golden Buzzer,
when it airs, within about five minutes,
literally hundreds of millions
of people are watching this clip.
That's what happens on one of these big stories.
I mean, it's extraordinary.
Every time that you watch a Golden Buzzer,
it makes you feel good.
And I'm excited now to watch them all over again.
- We're getting ready for a very emotional
roller coaster ride.
Are you ready?
- I'm ready.
* *
- Simon, the first act of your top 15 favorite
Golden Buzzer moments left us all stunned.
- Yeah. - Now let's remind ourselves
why WAFFLE Crew deserved the Golden Buzzer.
[Panic! At the Disco's "High Hopes"]
* *
Look at your face, you're just like, what?
The energy is, like--
- The minute they walked on, they got me.
I just liked them.
Hello.
Tell me first of all please, the name.
- We are the WAFFLE Crew, and we're a crew all the way
from New York City, the Bronx, New York.
[cheering]
- Tell me why, this year, "AGT?"
What's the dream and what's the plan?
We're from a city where there's no hope,
there's no influence, so we want to give
the young people something positive to look into, you know?
- Good for you.
- Yeah, yeah, that's awesome.
- What I loved about this audition
is how much this meant to them.
- We're all from different neighborhoods of New York City.
Where we grew up at was really rough.
We would put ourselves into the most safe environment,
which was these dance centers.
- We started dancing on the subway full-time.
- It went from making a few dollars
to actually us helping Mom pay the bills.
- Yeah. - To train was like a blessing.
It literally saved our lives,
because we don't have to be back where we live.
- Everybody's been telling us like,
you guys need to go on "America's Got Talent,"
you guys need to go on there, and now we're here.
- You look ready for this. I've got a good feeling.
- Are you guys ready?
- Yeah! - I'm ready.
- Let's do it!
- Yeah, let's do it.
[Chaka Khan's "Like Sugar"]
[cheering]
* *
- * It's like sugar, so sweet *
* Get up on, a-yo feet *
- My goodness.
Look at Sofía, she's like, "Yeah!"
[both laughs]
- * Everybody here is dancing, all I wanna do *
- Playing him like a guitar.
- * Baby, won't you step it to me? *
* Come on out and make your move *
- I don't normally love dance acts,
but they were way more than that.
They were all about talent, energy.
I liked them even more when I'm watching this back now.
- * It's like sugar, it's like sugar *
* It's like sugar, it's like sugar *
- Wow! - [laughing]
- How do you put a shoe back on?
- It's brilliant.
- * Whoa, what a state I'm in *
* Everybody here is dancing *
* Baby, won't you step it to me *
* Come on out and make your move *
- Oh!
[wild cheering]
- Ah!
- Look at you.
- Look at me, I was in.
- [laughs]
[dramatic music]
This was, I think, my favorite audition so far.
And I also understand how important this is to you.
I was thinking, if we can now take you from the subway
to the finals with a Golden Buzzer,
that's almost rewarding you for all the hard work
and everything that you stand for.
I want to give you a little head start here.
[wild cheering]
* *
This is a magic reaction.
- Golden Buzzer from Simon!
You're going straight to the live show!
* *
- My favorite auditions, my favorite Golden Buzzers,
when we watch them back, you go, yeah, you really,
really, really deserved the Golden Buzzer.
Great way to start.
- We'll be back with more of your favorite
Golden Buzzer moments right after this.
- Wait and see.
[exciting music]
- [clears throat]
[thick Italian American accent] How you doin'?
[all clamoring]
Come on, guys, come on, we've got a call time here.
This is-- this is professional stuff.
- Number 14, Sal Valentinetti.
I mean, who didn't love this guy?
- He was just brilliant.
- You got to see this entourage I got with me today.
I got three of my aunts...
- This is mom, right? - This is my mother.
Look how gorgeous she is.
My mother and my two cousins,
Big Tommy, Tommy Trance.
They might be a little loud, they might get a little crazy,
but hey, they're my family, ain't you talking about?
- He's just a great guy.
I mean, his personality, his talent.
And I thought, he is going to be
a great addition to the show.
- Okay, let's do it.
[classic Italian music]
* *
[cheering]
- How are you doing, good? - What is your name?
- My name's Sal Valentinetti.
I'm from Long Island, New York, and I came here to sing today.
- Okay, do you have a wife?
- Well, I'm 20, I'm too young.
- Oh, you're 20 years old? - Are you kidding me?
- Wow, Do you have a girlfriend?
- Heidi Klum, how you doin'?
- [imitating accent] Hey, how you doin'?
- How you doin'? - Hey, how you doin'?
- [imitating accent] How you doin'? How you doin'?
- Yeah, yeah.
[imitating accent] How you doin'? Hey.
- Tell me why you've entered the show, Sal.
- I want to make something of myself,
I want to bring back, like, those Dean Martin-style roasts.
- Yeah. - I want to have fun.
[cheering]
- Well, are you going to be our entertainment now?
I'm gonna entertain yous like you never
been entertained before.
- What a spirit this man has.
- He's like something out of, like, a TV drama, I mean,
we just loved him.
- As a matter of fact, I didn't come here to try out.
I came here to win.
- I like that.
Sal, good luck.
- Thank you very much.
Let's go.
[Paul Anka's "My Way" playing]
* *
* And now *
* The end is near *
* And so I face *
* The final curtain *
- I wasn't loving it at this moment,
I've got to be honest with you.
I was kind of thinking,
yeah, I've heard this before.
You talk the talk, are you walking the walk right now?
I wasn't really certain at this point.
- * I did it my way *
- And then he went into a different gear.
- * For what is a man *
* What has he got? *
* If not himself *
* Then he has naught *
* To say the things
* He truly feels *
* And not the words *
* Of one who kneels *
- Watch that audience shot.
- They jump up. - And they were like me,
they weren't so sure at the beginning.
- * Sal took all the blows *
- Yeah! - Yeah!
- And then it was like...
- * I did it *
- They loved him. - Yes
- * My way *
[wild cheering]
* *
- Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
- Yeah!
- You know he had it. - Yeah.
- You knew he had it. - Yeah.
Sal,
when you want to sing this kind of music,
you can't fake it.
It's either in you or it's not, and you're an old soul.
- Yeah. - Thank you very much.
- He came on, as kind of like,
"yeah, I'm Mr. Tough Guy," you know,
but actually, he's a little softy.
- I gotta go up there and hug you and give you a big smooch.
- Go. - Come up here.
Should I go down there?
[cheers continue]
- I do!
- Oh, this is awesome.
- Oh! - The man!
- He got a little smooch there!
- Yeah. - Yeah.
- The day is getting better and better, right?
- Thank you. Mel B, what are we feeling over here?
- You know what? - Hang out here.
- I'm feeling sugar and spice and everything nice,
how you doin'?
[laughter]
- I just love the way you talk too,
I just love listening to you talk.
- She loves the way I talk.
- And then I love the way you sing too.
So the whole package is good. - She loves the way I sing.
- I do. - He was flirting
with the audience,
flirting with the judges, the whole thing.
He had this kind of swagger.
- Oh, yeah, I think if he had shuffled on
a bit boring and sung like that,
I don't think he would have got the Golden Buzzer.
I think it was a combination of everything.
- Heidi.
- Do you want to know how I feel about you?
Do you? - Tell me.
- I'll tell you right now.
[Frankie Valli's "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You"]
[wild cheering]
* *
- * I love you, baby *
* Trust in me when I say *
* Oh, pretty baby *
- Thank you.
- I remember that audition vividly.
It was like, we needed you.
- Yes.
- Yes, thank God, you've arrived.
- Today is the first day of the rest of my life.
[cheering fades]
- Now tell me, do you ever watch back "AGT" at home?
I mean, talk to me.
- Well, the funny thing is
is that my son, Eric, he trolls back onto a lot
of these auditions now, and he loves them.
And sometimes just for good memories,
yeah, I watch them back.
And I'm glad that we're doing this
because just to see them,
it's like going to the movies again.
In fact, we are in a cinema. - I know, we're here.
All right. Up next at number 13 is the guy
who blew us all away... - Yeah. Yeah.
- Brandon Leake.
- Brandon was a real surprise.
I had never liked poetry before he came on,
and he completely changed my mind forever.
[sentimental music]
* *
No audience because of COVID.
- That's right.
- Hi. - How are you?
What is your name?
- My name is Brandon Leake.
- What do you do for a living?
- For a living, I work at a high school and a college,
but I also run poetry workshops with youth in my city.
- Oh, wow. - Oh, that's wonderful.
- Wow. - So poetry,
is that what you're going to be doing tonight?
- Yes, I'm actually the first spoken word artist
that you guys are ever going to have hit this stage.
- I don't really understand poetry,
I'm going to be honest with you.
- I'm a great intro for you.
- [laughs] Confident.
- Well, we already love you, make us love your poem.
- Beautiful. I got you for that.
- The fact that he had to perform to an empty audience.
- Right, and we had complete attention
right on him. - Complete attention, yeah.
- Love is the most vulnerable thing one will ever have.
And you must learn to hold on to it loosely,
so when it leaves, it won't exit so painfully.
On July 14, 1996,
an angel was brought to this Earth.
Her name, Danielle Marie Gibson,
but I only know her as Puff.
Her smile is as wide as the universe,
her eyes, they glimmer like the stars.
She is my world
and my sister.
But on March 23, 1997,
I've been ground-bound because she left Earth
to go back home amongst the stars,
right next to God, but I was left here
to manufacture wings
out of tears and broken dreams.
Yet I'm still haunted by these nightmares 'cause
I have a really creative mind,
and sometimes it designs these alternate realities
where she is still here,
still alive, and all the things
I wish we could have done are played again
and again and again, and I'm tired of playing God
'cause I got to come to terms with the fact
that my sister ain't never coming back.
And that's the cost of love,
caring for someone so much
that you can't imagine living life without them,
staring at a grave, like,
how about I trade my six feet for yours,
but that's not real.
And I know I said earlier to hold on to love loosely
so when it leaves, it won't exit so painfully,
but if this pain and these memories
are all that I got left of you,
I won't never regret these scars
from just trying to hold on to you.
[soft dramatic music]
* *
- Wow.
- It is a "wow."
- I hated poetry beforehand,
so I was kind of dreading the audition as well.
But I mean, you could see by all of our faces,
we were just drawn in.
And I thought he was gutsy just to even audition...
- That's right. - Bearing in mind
what was going on.
But you know, God only knows what would have happened
if he'd have done that in a full room.
It would have been unbelievable,
but it was still a huge moment.
- You're tearing up.
- My brother passed away the same year
that your sister passed away.
- Man. - Yeah.
I can feel your pain, I know what this is.
- I think that's another thing when you look at these
Golden Buzzers, it all ties into our past...
- Yeah. - And where we're from.
- What an amazing tribute.
There's something very, very special about you.
- Thank you. - Really.
- No music, no nothing.
Just a raw heart beating in front of us.
We feel your pain. We feel your love.
And you moved me...
to do this.
[Seinabo Sey's "Burial"]
- * They speak of a better place *
* They speak of kingdoms *
- [laughing] I love this.
He did not see that coming. - No.
No. - Howie is a master of that.
- Yeah. Yeah. - You know?
He's a master. - Yeah. Yeah.
- * Freedom and marching drums *
[all cheering]
- That was a special moment.
It really, really was.
- This is my shot.
- The fact that Howie gave a poet
a Golden Buzzer was actually quite incredible
because we've never done that before.
And he went on to win.
- Oh, and he went on
to win the whole season.
You are about to put spoken word on the map
like it's never been put on the map before.
That's you. Your life has changed.
And he's world-famous right now.
- He is. - At this moment.
- Yeah, and rightly so. - I love it.
- Yeah.
- Coming up...
more of Simon's favorite Golden Buzzer moments.
- This was the moment where "AGT" became cool.
- That was the best moment of my entire life.
[dramatic music]
* *
- How amazing was this?
[exciting music]
- At number 12, you've chosen an act
that was one of the most extreme surprises
and really captured America's attention.
- Yeah. - Here's Courtney Hadwin.
[upbeat music]
* *
[applause]
- Hi, my lovely. - Hi.
- Welcome to "America's Got Talent."
How are you?
- Um, a little bit nervous.
- That's okay to be nervous. That's totally understandable.
What's your name?
- Courtney.
- And how old are you?
- 13. - 13?
And I'm guessing you're going to be singing for us.
- Yeah. - Listen, don't be nervous.
I know this is a big stage and there are lots
of people here, but you're here for a reason.
So go for it and good luck.
- Thank you. [cheering]
- She's so shy.
- A little mouse as she comes out.
- [laughs] - I was thinking at this moment,
you're British, you're really shy,
and what if you're terrible? - I know.
- Because she could barely talk to us.
[Black Crowes' "Hard to Handle" playing]
* *
And then this happens.
- * Baby, here I am *
* I'm the girl on the scene *
- Oh, my God!
- * And I can give you what you want *
* But you got to come home with me *
* And I still got some good old lovin' *
* And I got some in store *
* When I get through throwin' it on you *
- All of a sudden, pow!
- Well, it was like she was possessed.
- * Boys, they come a dime by the dozen *
* That ain't nothing but ten cent lovin' *
* Pretty little thing let me light your candle *
* 'Cause mama I'm so hard to handle, now I get around *
* *
- Whoo!
- [riffing]
- Whoa!
- * Come home with me, ah! *
- Oh, my-- - Whoa!
[wild cheering]
- Brilliant. - [laughing]
- Brilliant. - Wonderful.
[sentimental music]
[cheering continues]
* *
- Bloody hell, Courtney.
You were like this shy little thing when you first came out,
and then you sing and you're like a lion.
I mean, genuinely incredible.
Howie, what did you think? - Oh, my gosh.
You are not from this era.
You're from a whole different era.
- Yes.
[cheering]
- And I'm a huge Janis Joplin fan,
and there's a story, if you ever watch the documentary,
Clive Davis, he goes to the Monterey Pop Festival,
and he sees this young girl
that nobody has ever seen before,
that nobody knows.
It was the first time Janis Joplin got signed.
And that changed her life, do you know that story?
- Yeah.
- Howie was obsessed.
- I'm not Clive Davis, I'm Howie Mandel,
and I can't sign you to a record deal.
The only thing I can do for you, young lady,
is give you--
[wild cheering]
[Pink's "Perfect"]
* *
- Look at this!
- And watch. Watch, watch, watch.
I mean, she was literally shaking.
- * You are perfect to me *
- Some of the best that I've ever seen.
- Everyone in the theater, literally,
that day was saying, "What?"
- I am gobsmacked.
- What is going on?
- That's my Golden Buzzer.
- I'm so jealous.
- Oh, I think we all wanted
to give this person a Golden Buzzer.
- And everyone in America loved this.
- I think the reason this became so popular was
how shocked and surprised people were when they saw her.
And she's the second most viral clip in "AGT"'s history,
I mean, it's extraordinary.
[music fades]
My God, I forgot how brilliant that was.
- I want to talk about this,
the competition between the judges.
- Oh, you know what it's like.
- I mean, is there ever a fight
over this kind of thing?
I mean, you know, does it get really intense down there?
- Well, it's almost like we do a poker face,
because when you know you're going to give someone
a Golden Buzzer, I'm kind of thinking,
I'm definitely pressing it,
and then I'm looking over to my right and left,
and I can see the others thinking.
Then I'm looking at you, so it's like,
I'm not messing around here.
I'm not saying anything, it's just like, press it.
- Ohh. - So yeah,
we do get very competitive.
[upbeat music]
- At number 11, you picked Zurcaroh.
Tell us about your memories of this amazing group.
- It was, I mean, on the day again, mind-blowing.
I thought it was going to be some kind of, like,
gymnastics act or something,
you know, which we've seen before.
But this was phenomenal.
- Hi. - And who are you?
- We are Zurcaroh. - Okay, what do you do?
- We do acrobatic and gymnastics.
- Right. - We are not professionals.
We take people, whatever if they have skills
or not, they are able to enjoy us.
- Okay.
[cheering]
[inspirational music]
- I started this group because I want to change people's life.
I want to give them opportunity.
I grew up in Sao Paulo, Brazil in a really poor area,
and the only opportunity that you have
there is to follow the crime.
This group, I live my life for them.
I want to work with the new generation
and give them a future.
"America's Got Talent" is the biggest platform
in the world, and through this performance,
our life can change.
- Okay, well, listen, best of luck, guys.
- Thank you.
- It was one of those sessions
which wasn't going very well.
The audience was getting restless,
and this enormous group of people walked out.
We had no idea what was going to happen next.
[dramatic music playing]
* *
- This is incredible.
- I mean, how does someone think about this?
- Yeah.
[faster tempo music playing]
* *
- I mean, she nearly hit the top of the theater.
- She almost hit the top. She almost hit the X's.
* *
[wild cheering]
- It was like a machine. It just worked.
I've never seen anything of that scale all my life.
- You're right. - Ever.
* *
[wild cheering]
I've seen this clip a lot.
Every time I watch it back, it's like,
this is one of the best we've ever had,
honestly.
[inspirational music]
- Wow.
- Uh, wow, wow, wow.
Yeah, it was okay.
- What? - I'm kidding.
There's something in the air right now.
I've done this a long time, and this is,
honestly, one of the most incredible things
I've ever seen on any of these shows.
[cheering]
I mean, it was breathtaking,
and I am absolutely honored that you came onto our show.
Okay, let's vote. Howie?
- Hold up, hold up, hold up.
- Howie was like, "what?"
- I'm, like, freaking out right now.
This is so crazy
that you know what I have to do!
* *
[wild cheering]
* *
- This guy, Peterson, he was from Brazil.
He was the one who, in his brain, saw this.
I mean, I said to him afterwards,
you are a total, utter genius.
- Yes.
- I am thrilled for all of you.
That's what the Golden Buzzer is all about.
Well done, guys. - Thank you.
- Let's go celebrate! Whoo-hoo!
[music fades out]
[exciting music]
- So Simon, this next one is another one
of your Golden Buzzers.
At number ten is the fabulous 11-year-old,
Tyler Butler-Figueroa.
- How amazing was this?
[upbeat music]
* *
- Hi!
- Hi. - What's your name?
- My name is Tyler.
- How old are you, Tyler?
- I'm 11 years old.
- And what made you get into playing violin?
- I wanted to start playing the violin
because I was being bullied at school.
- Aww. - Oh, man.
Do you know why you were being bullied?
- It's because I had cancer.
I almost died.
[crowd awwing]
- Mm.
This young man, who not only had to deal with bullies,
but also had to deal with defeating cancer.
- Yeah. - What a story.
- I remember what he said,
what I was thinking, what I was thinking before,
because I was shocked at what he'd gone through.
[soft dramatic music]
- My name is Tyler Butler-Figueroa
and I am from North Carolina.
I was diagnosed with cancer at the age of four and a half.
The doctors treated me with chemotherapy.
When I lost my hair, I was really sad
and embarrassed at the same time to go to school.
They used to make fun of me and laugh at me
because I was different.
Now, when I play the violin,
it helps me forget about all the bad stuff.
I just didn't want to be the kid with cancer.
So now I'm the kid who plays the violin.
- You got this, we're rooting for you.
[cheering]
- Every one of us was just willing him to be good.
It was like, please, please, please be good.
[Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger" playing ]
- Oh, yeah!
[clapping]
- And he was more than good.
- He was great.
- * What doesn't kill you makes you stronger *
* Stand a little taller *
- Yes!
- The audience were going nuts at this point.
- * Footsteps even lighter *
* Doesn't mean I'm over 'cause you're gone *
* What doesn't kill you makes you stronger *
- Whoo! - * Stronger *
* Just me, myself, and I *
* What doesn't kill you makes you stronger *
* Stand a little taller *
* Doesn't mean I'm lonely when I'm alone *
* When I'm alone *
[wild cheering]
- Yeah!
[cheering continues]
Aw, he's emotional.
- He's one of those kids who I genuinely feel has a gift.
- Yes. - Because he is phenomenal.
Wow, wow, wow.
By the way, before I start, how are you feeling now?
- I'm feeling really proud of myself.
- So cute.
[wild cheering]
- And if you don't mind me asking, Tyler,
how is your health now?
- Well, I've been in remission for almost four years.
- You know what, you are an extraordinary young man.
- Thank you.
- And I think you have such an amazing talent,
such a personality, and I would like
to say something on your behalf to the bullies.
[building suspenseful music]
[Andy Grammer's "Don't Give Up On Me"]
- * I'm not givin' up, givin' up *
* No, not yet *
* Even when I'm down on my last breath *
* Even when they say there's nothin' left *
- Wow. - I was emotional,
we all were.
- * I'm not givin' up *
* I'm not givin' up, givin' up *
* No, not me *
- I mean, I have a real issue, particularly now I have a son,
about how many kids we hear who are bullied.
I mean, it's horrendous.
- It is horrendous.
* *
- How amazing are you?
How amazing is your little boy?
Look at that, look. - Oh, my God.
- Simon, how do you know when to press the Golden Buzzer?
And how do you feel once you've done it?
- I'm not going to lie. I absolutely love it.
I love the buildup,
I know when I'm going to do it,
I love seeing their reaction.
- Listen. [crowd chanting "Tyler"]
They are chanting your name still right now.
Do you hear it? Tyler.
- And then it's even better when I watch it back,
when they do it all in slo-mo.
It's brilliant.
It--100% it's my favorite part of the show.
- * Don't give up on me *
[exciting music]
- At number nine, you've chosen a Golden Buzzer
from our judge cuts round.
- Yeah. - Reba McEntire was
the guest judge and she felt
this act deserved her Golden Buzzer.
It's contortionist and hand balancer,
Sofie Dossi.
- Let's do it.
[epic music]
* *
- My name's Sofie Dossi. I'm 14 years old.
I'm a self-taught contortionist.
I sort of have two lives,
a normal teenage girl,
and the other life, contortion and hand balancing artist.
I actually saw it online of this girl,
and I was like, whoa, this is so cool.
And after I tried it, I just fell in love with it.
My dad's very handy. He helps me make these different props.
- Sofie is the only person on my list
who got a Golden Buzzer during the judge cut rounds.
I mean, she was great on her first audition.
Her second audition was absolutely phenomenal.
The performance was just life changing...
- Okay, right. - Which is why she's on my list.
- Right.
- Tell me again and the audience why you decided
to audition this year on "America's Got Talent?"
- It's one of my dreams to perform
in front of millions of people.
- All right, well, good luck.
- Thank you.
- There she goes. Go, baby, go, baby.
- Here it is. She's got this.
[ethereal music playing]
* *
- I mean, my God.
- She makes it look so easy,
but this is extremely dangerous.
- Oh, yeah.
- There's no net, no nothing.
- Okay, she's got to get this.
She's got to get this. - She's got it.
- Look at that.
- As sweet as she is, you look at her eyes
in that audition, she's got, like, that steel.
- Oh, my God!
* *
- Watch, watch.
- Oh, my God, with fire, no way!
Ah!
- This was the point where I went,
this is just ridiculous.
- [laughing] - I mean, come on.
- Whoa! [cheers and applause]
- Unbelievable.
[upbeat music]
[cheering continues]
- That's my girl!
- You're like something out of "Game of Thrones," aren't you?
- Exactly. - [laughs]
- Let me tell you, your last performance was incredible.
This performance, top tier. I don't know how you do it.
- Thank you so much. - Brilliant.
- Let me go to Reba.
- I think actions speak louder than words.
[building suspenseful music]
[wild cheering]
* *
- Oh, my God!
[screams]
- I honestly believe this was a "star is born" moment.
- Yeah.
- We say the Golden Buzzer can change your life,
I mean, right now she's sitting there
with 22 million followers on social media.
That's what this show can do for you.
- That's right.
- Oh, my God! The Golden Buzzer!
- Finally, finally,
one of my Golden Buzzers has made it onto your list.
- You thought I'd left you out, didn't you?
- Thank you. Thank you. - Yes, you did.
[epic music]
* *
[cheering]
- Hi.
- Wow.
Welcome.
Very nice to meet you.
So who do we have here?
- We are World Taekwondo Demonstration Team.
- Wow, okay.
Why "America's Got Talent?"
- Actually, we were invited to perform at the Olympics.
- Really? - Yes.
Unfortunately, we could not do it due to COVID.
- So you could say you chose us over the Olympics?
- Yes. - That's correct.
- I love that. Good luck.
- Thank you, thank you. - Thank you, thank you.
- What were you thinking? - You've gotta understand,
I grew up loving martial arts, loving watching the movies,
and it's like dance and athleticism all in one.
- And because it was all about the precision.
This had to be perfect.
[dramatic drums]
- Yah!
[cheers and applause]
- Whoa!
- Ha!
- [grunts]
- Whoa! - Whoa!
- This is incredible!
[all shout]
- [yells]
- I remember watching you watching them.
You were like a teenager again.
- [chuckles]
- You are as excited as they were.
I mean, that's--that's what's so brilliant about it.
- Yeah!
- [laughs]
[dramatic music]
* *
- Oh!
Look at this, look at this!
This is incredible!
- Yeah.
- Yah!
- I have never seen anything like that in my life!
Yo! Oh, my goodness!
And it was shrapnel flying everywhere.
Woodchips all over.
Oh!
[laughs incredulously]
- Look.
- Look how high that is!
[heartbeat pounding]
[dramatic slo-mo chord]
- Yeah! - Whoa!
- [laughs]
- [yells]
[cheers and applause]
[dramatic rock music]
* *
- The energy, it's absolutely astounding.
- I think what you did was one of the most
extraordinary things I've seen in all the years
I've been on "America's Got Talent."
- Thank you. - Thank you.
- Now we have to go vote.
- All right, no, we don't.
- What? - No, we don't!
- No. - First of all...
- Uh-oh.
- I have never, ever seen
anything like this in my life.
World Taekwondo,
this is not about fighting.
It's about courage.
It's about confidence and respect.
And I respect what you guys did out here today
like no one else.
This deserves all the recognition in the world.
It was an Olympic event.
And you know, you were not able
to make it to the Olympics and get a gold medal,
but I am going to give you something golden right now!
[both yelling]
- * We are the champions, my friends *
[wild cheering]
* And we'll keep on fighting *
* Till the end *
- I mean, people don't react like that, Terry,
after they win.
- No, no, they don't. - I mean, genuinely.
- No, you're right.
- I mean, look at them.
- World Taekwondo!
- That's a great Golden Buzzer. - You are headed
to the live shows in Hollywood!
- * And we'll keep on fighting till the end *
- Every time I see it,
I'm right back there.
- Yeah.
[all shouting]
- * Of the world *
[exciting music]
- Up next, your choice at number seven,
Grace VanderWaal.
- Yeah.
When I joined the show in 2016,
I prayed we were going to find a great singer.
And that was the year we met Grace,
so she had to be on the list.
[upbeat music]
[cheering]
- Hi, young lady.
What is your name?
- Grace.
- Grace, how old are you?
- 12.
- Are you excited to be here?
- It's crazy.
- [chuckling]
- What are you going to sing?
- I'm singing an original.
- Really? - Yes.
[cheers and applause]
- And what's it about?
- It's about me. [giggles]
- And you believe that you can win?
- Well, I mean, miracles can happen, so possibly.
[cheers and applause]
- Stage is yours.
Good luck.
I remember thinking at that moment,
I really hope this is going to work,
but I was nervous.
Is she going to sing a really boring song?
- Mm-hmm. - And then this happened.
- * I don't know my name *
* I don't play *
* By the rules to the game *
* So you say *
* I'm just trying *
* Just trying *
* So I heard you are my sister's friend *
* You get along *
- This is one of the reasons
why this audition became such a monster hit.
- Yes.
- Because she didn't sing a cover,
she did sing her own song,
and you know, she's a great songwriter.
- That's true. - Brilliant songwriter.
- * I am lost *
* Trying to get found *
* In an ocean of people *
* Please don't ask me any *
* That I don't know my name *
* I don't play by the rules of the game *
* So you say *
* I'm just trying *
- I would say this was the moment where "AGT"
in my opinion became cool...
- Yeah. - Because she was so cool.
- * I now know my name *
* I don't play by the rules of the game *
* So you say *
* I'm not trying *
* But I'm trying *
* To find my way *
- Ugh.
- Brilliant.
[wild cheering]
[sentimental music]
I don't think she was expecting that reaction.
- No, I know, look at her face!
- Yeah. - Oh, my God.
- Your original about people not knowing your name
is so right and so wrong, because I think
the world is gonna know your name.
- Oh, Howie was right about that.
- Yeah, he was.
But what is so sweet about this clip, when you watch it back,
is watch her reaction when she gets the Golden Buzzer.
She's trying to hold it together,
and then it all goes.
- I think right now,
they're gonna know your name,
because you are going right--
* *
- Yeah! [laughing]
- * All we can do is keep breathing *
- What people don't understand
is that it takes the courage of an adult,
and then all of a sudden, she wins it,
and she turns back 12 years old again.
- Yeah, you're so right.
[cheers and applause]
I was really upset...
- [laughs] - That I didn't press
the Golden Buzzer for her,
because I was thinking, "Howie, don't press it,
I want to press it!" - Press it.
- And then Howie got there first.
So that's why I wasn't
quite as happy as I should have been in my reaction.
Grace, you know what I predict for you?
I think you are the next Taylor Swift.
- Thank you so much.
- Wow!
Howie's Golden Buzzer!
How's it feel?
- I feel like this--I'm kind of just daydreaming,
and I'm getting ready to wake up.
[wild cheering]
- What was so cool about this audition is,
it had this gigantic impact afterwards.
It kickstarted her career.
She's a huge star.
She's released records,
she's won a ton of awards,
and she's even played the lead role in a Disney movie.
- Do you think you've got a star now?
- I 100% think we've got a star. - Amazing.
- Howie is impossible... - Yeah.
- When one of his Golden Buzzers does well.
- Yeah, he is. - I mean, literally impossible.
He was like a Greyhound up on that stage,
which makes it even more irritating.
- He's like, me, me, me! Yeah, all right.
- Yeah, it's like, no, it's not about you.
It's actually about Grace, but oh, no.
[laughter]
- Coming up...
we're getting closer to Simon's favorite
Golden Buzzer moment of all time.
- I've never seen anything like this
in my life.
This act defines what "Got Talent" is.
- Yeah!
- God, I forgot how brilliant that was.
* *
[exciting music]
- Then at number six, we have Light Balance.
- Light Balance are a dance group from Ukraine
who flew in to take a gamble
on being a success on "Got Talent."
And then they did this unbelievable performance.
And that's the kind of act
that makes "Got Talent" special,
and they had to be on my list.
[dramatic music]
* *
[cheers and applause]
- Hello. - Hello!
Where are you guys from and what is your name?
- We are from Ukraine, and we are Light Balance Dance Group.
- Okay, good. Now we want to see your act.
- Good luck, I can't wait to see this.
[cheers and applause]
- Let's dim those lights.
- This should be interesting.
- We had no idea what was going to happen.
The lights went off and then this happens.
[dramatic music playing]
* *
We were a bit like, what?
[Bruno Mars' "24K Magic" playing]
- * Put yo' pinky rings up to the moon *
[wild cheering]
* Girls, what y'all trying to do? *
* 24 karat magic in the air *
* Head to toe, so player *
* Look out *
- I's a mix of technology, dance,
showmanship.
Unbelievable.
- Yeah.
[Deorro's "Five More Hours" playing]
- * This right here is my type of party *
* Ooh-ooh-ooh ooh-ooh-ooh *
* Five more hours, we're just getting started *
[wild cheering]
- I think this act defines what "Got Talent" is.
You know, it's stuff you just can't imagine happening.
- Yep. - And yet,
somebody had the idea to do it.
[wild cheering]
- Look at this.
- I thought the act was incredible.
It was imaginative, it was different.
I've never seen anything like that before.
I thought it was incredible.
Congratulations.
[cheers and applause]
- Let's vote.
- Stop right now!
I feel you guys so, so much.
- I think they thought we weren't gonna like them.
- Mm. - They were very nervous.
And watch what happens.
- [yells]
- Watch their faces now.
[triumphant music]
- Oh, yes! - Total, total--
- That's the shot. - Yeah.
- They like us, they really like us.
- Yeah, look, look.
I mean, they just can't believe it.
I love watching their reactions
once they've had the Golden Buzzer.
And that's why this is really special for me,
not just the performance, but their reaction.
It sums up the relief and how much it meant to them.
* *
- Whoo! - How do you feel?
- No words could explain my feelings, it's--
yeah, it's like dreams come true.
* *
- It was one of those auditions
where somebody's come up with this idea
which is totally unique.
It's actually quite incredible.
What's so interesting when I watch these back,
I can remember every second
of the day this happened
on every one of these Golden Buzzers.
Sometimes, you know, auditions, they fade over the years,
but none of these Golden Buzzers do.
- It's so true.
Up next is one of the most
incredible auditions we have ever seen.
At number five, it's Mandy Harvey.
- Another of my Golden Buzzers. - Yes.
[upbeat music]
[cheers and applause]
- Hello.
- Hi, how are you?
- And what's your name? - Mandy Harvey.
- And who's this?
- My interpreter.
- What's your name? - Sarah.
- Nice to meet you, Sarah.
- Nice to meet you, sir. - How are you?
- Hi, Sarah. - Doing well, thank you.
Hello. - Okay, Mandy,
so I think I've worked this out.
So you're deaf?
- Yes, I lost all my hearing when I was 18 years old.
[audience awws]
- Wow. - Yeah, I've been singing
since I was four,
so I left music after I lost my hearing
and then figured out how to get back into singing.
- So your shoes are off because you're feeling the vibration?
Is that how you're following the music?
- Yeah, I'm feeling the tempo, the beat through the floor.
- I'm listening to this story thinking, what?
How is that possible?
Is she going to be a good singer?
- I'm going to sing a song that I wrote called "Try."
- Okay, can you tell me what it's about?
- After I lost my hearing, I gave up,
but I want to do more with my life
than just give up, so.
- Good for you.
[cheers and applause]
- Thank you.
- Aww, I love seeing this.
[ukulele playing]
- * I don't feel the way I used to *
* The sky is gray much more than it is blue *
* But I know one day, I'll get through *
* And I'll take my place again *
* If I would try *
- I mean, it was one of those,
"this can't be happening" moment--I mean, genuinely.
- Yes.
- * Oh *
* There is no one for me to blame *
* 'Cause I know the only thing in my way *
* Is me *
* I don't live the way I want to *
* That whole picture never came into view *
* But I'm tired of getting used to *
* The day *
* So I will try *
* If I would try *
- It was really special, wasn't it?
- Incredible.
- * If I would try *
- The reaction was unbelievable.
[wild cheering]
[inspirational music]
* *
- This is what I love about "AGT,"
because it shows there is no end to human potential.
- Yeah, I've never seen or heard
anything like this in my life.
Mandy, I don't think you're gonna need
a translator for this.
- * And you can tell everybody *
* This is your song *
* It may be quite simple but *
* Now that it's done *
* I hope you don't mind, I hope you don't mind *
- While she was performing, did you know
you were going to give her this Golden Buzzer?
- It took me a long time.
- Mm-hmm. - Four seconds.
[laughter]
It was like, what? - TV time.
Four seconds. - Whoa!
I mean, it was an absolute no-brainer.
Honestly,
I never think I'm gonna be surprised or amazed by people.
And then you turn up.
- Oh, the joy.
- Yeah. - The tears of joy.
- Yeah.
[cheers and applause]
* *
The fact that she was a great songwriter,
the fact that she was a great singer,
and she was a fantastic person, it was just everything.
This show wouldn't be the same without her.
* *
- What just happened?
- * How wonderful life is * - Oh, my God.
- * Now you're in the world *
[music fades out]
[exciting music]
- Next up, wow, another one of my Golden Buzzers, man.
The Detroit Youth Choir.
- They are the best choir we've ever had.
- Ever.
[Lizzo's "Good as Hell"]
This is one of those things
where the tears flow.
I couldn't stop crying.
I just remembered my upbringing,
and all these kids just reminded me of myself...
- Yeah. - And my past.
- Yeah.
This was a great Golden Buzzer moment.
* *
- The Detroit Youth Choir is a community-based choir.
We have a lot of inner city kids.
Some of them have bad home situations
or they can be in the streets.
We give them something positive to come and be a part of.
- And y'all know I'm from Flint.
- Oh! - I was born and raised.
- You nervous? - Can you fix my bowtie?
Yes, I'm nervous,
but I'm ready for this.
- Be proud of what you represent.
Okay? - For sure.
- All right. Give me a hug.
- Let me tell you, Mr. White,
people like you are the reason I am where I am right now.
And let me tell you, all it takes is one person
to believe that you can do it.
And you have that.
And that's more than so many people have on this Earth.
He's that guy who told them they could do it.
- Yeah. - And they believed him.
- Yes, right.
[all cheering]
- Our mission is to show
that young people from Detroit can be somebody.
[cheers and applause]
- Look at their faces.
- Oh, look at this face.
- Now that is an entrance.
Welcome. - Thank you.
- Tell me how this choir came up.
What was the idea behind it, please?
- Well, I've been the director of this wonderful
youth group for a little over 21 years.
- Oh, wow. - And we're here
to let the world know that we have some
wonderful young people in the city of Detroit.
- Yes. [cheering]
- I actually love choirs, so good luck.
- Let's do it.
all: * Can we go back? *
* This is our moment *
* Tonight is the night *
* We'll fight till it's over *
* So we put our hands up *
* Like the ceiling can't hold us *
* Like the ceiling can't *
* Hold *
* Us *
- I was totally expecting choir music.
- Yeah, exactly.
And you know what happens next.
- * DYC, get 'em, what it is *
- [screams]
- * Looking for a better way to get up outta bed *
* Instead of getting on the Internet *
* And checking who hit, we up *
all: * Thrift shop, pimp-strut walkin' *
- Look at these guys!
- * Somewhere between like Rocky *
- [laughing] You're in the choir.
- [laughs]
I'm the honorary member.
all: * Moonwalking, this here is our party *
- * My posse's been on Broadway *
* And we did it our way *
* Grown music, I shed my skin and put my bones *
* Into everything I record *
* And ye-ye-ye-yet I'm on *
- * Trust me, on my I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T *
* We hustlin' *
* Chasing dreams since we was 14 *
* With the four-track bussin' *
* Halfway cross that city *
* With the backpack, fat cat, crushin' *
- * Can we go back? *
- Whoo!
I'm right back there. - I can see that.
- I'm right back there.
[choir harmonizing]
- * Like the ceiling can't hold us *
all: * Like the ceiling can't hold us *
* This is our moment *
[wild cheering]
[tender music]
- I was blown away by how much they wanted this,
how good they were--
we were all very caught up in this moment.
This was big.
- Oh, my God.
- This was your moment.
- Thank you.
[cheering continues]
- The dancing and the singing and the rapping,
it's so much more than you expect from any other choir.
I love you. I love you all.
- You're cool.
This was not expected.
You could win this.
Let's vote.
Let's start with Howie. Yes or no?
- Oh, you know what--
- Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
Wait.
I'm so sorry to interrupt you, Howie.
[choking up] But I have to tell you...
- Aw.
- Every young man and woman on this stage represents me
and where I came from.
- I've never seen you like that.
- I just couldn't keep my emotions.
I had to just let it out.
I remember sitting at my window in Flint, Michigan,
dreaming and wanting to make it
and wanting to be here, and they're here.
And they did so well...
that I have to do this!
For me, when I push a Golden Buzzer,
it's to the point where I say, "If I don't do this,
everything's going to be wrong with the world."
Let me tell you something, Mr. White.
All it takes is one person to believe
for them to reach their dreams, and you are that man, sir!
[wild cheering]
- * You say I am loved *
* When I can't feel a thing *
* You say I am strong *
* When I think I am weak *
- The place went crazy. I mean, genuinely crazy.
- Look at this.
* *
Oh, I'm getting emotional now.
I'm telling you, it's so beautiful.
- This is absolute magic.
- Mm. - Magic.
[cheering and sobbing]
- The fact that these guys actually got
a million dollars from the city of Detroit,
and were awarded the key to the city,
is amazing.
- I know. That was big.
This is exactly why we did this show,
to remind people of just how amazing
these Golden Buzzer moments are.
They're as good now as they were then.
[cheering]
all: [chanting] DYC! DYC! DYC!
[exciting music]
- Oh, my goodness. Number three.
[sighs] Kodi Lee.
- Wow.
Kodi is one of the most amazing auditions
I have ever witnessed.
I will never forget that moment. - Yeah.
- I mean, it was incredible.
[cheering]
- Welcome to "America's Got Talent."
What's your name?
- I'm Kodi.
- Hi, Kodi. - I'm Kodi Lee!
- Who are you, miss? Who are you?
- I'm mom. - Oh, hi, mom.
- I'm Tina Lee. - Hi, Tina, how are you?
- Hi, Tina.
- So what are you going to do here for us today?
- I'm going to sing a song for you on the piano.
- I love it.
Tina, tell us a little bit about Kodi.
- Kodi is blind and autistic.
- Oh. - Wow.
- We found out that he loved music really early on.
He listened and his eyes just went huge,
and he started singing.
And that's when I just-- I was in tears,
'cause that's when I realized,
oh, my gosh, he's an entertainer.
So it actually has saved his life, playing music.
- Wow. - Wow. That's awesome.
- You ready? - I'm ready!
[cheers and applause]
- A lot of things were going through my head at that point.
I could tell that he was very distracted.
There was a lot of energy in the room,
and I was nervous that that was going to affect him,
or he wasn't going to perform.
- [whispering] This is your time, okay?
There's going to be like, 20 cameras on you.
Ready? - Yeah.
- Go. Boom.
- It was that pause,
and all the time, I'm thinking,
"Please--" - "I hope he's gonna be okay."
- Yeah, "Please be good."
[piano plays deftly]
And then the first note on the piano started,
and I sat back, and it was like, whoa.
[Leon Russell's "A Song For You" plays]
- * I've been so many places *
* In my life and time *
* I've sung a lot of songs *
* And I've made some bad rhymes *
* I've acted out my love on stages *
* With ten thousand people watching *
* Yeah *
- When he opened his mouth to sing,
We were transfixed.
- Yeah.
- * I love you in a place *
* Where there's no space or time *
* I love you for my life *
- You know, it was like watching a miracle live.
- Yeah, it was--
magic is the only word I can use.
- * When my life is over *
* Remember when we were together *
- I've got goose bumps on my goose bumps right now.
- * Singing my song *
* To you *
[Calum Scott's "You Are The Reason"]
- * There goes my heart beating *
- Yes!
- * 'Cause you are the reason *
- Yes!
- * I'm losing my sleep *
- Not a dry eye in the theatre.
[wild cheering]
- That's all for you, baby.
That's all for you.
- Everyone was in pieces
afterwards. - Everyone.
- Well, first of all, I will tell you
that all four judges, and everybody in this room,
were up on their feet.
I will tell you that. He's got to know that.
Not only did we feel the authenticity of what you do,
but you're a great inspiration and a great talent,
and it was amazing.
- Thank you so much.
- Listen, what just happened there was extraordinary.
I mean, really extraordinary.
I don't know what it's like to live in Kodi's world.
All I can tell is, is that you obviously have
an amazing relationship, the two of you.
And I'm going to remember this moment for the rest of my life.
- Thank you.
- I was really, really in the moment,
I've got to be honest with you,
which is probably why I didn't get to that
Golden Buzzer quick enough. - Right, you were just--yeah.
- I'm like, "What just happened?"
- Tonight, I'm going to give you...
something special.
[drumroll]
- * Climb every mountain, mm *
* And swim every ocean *
[all screaming]
- Look at you in the wings there.
- Yes, yeah, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
- * And fix what I've broken *
- This was one of the best moments of my entire life.
You will be going all the way to the live shows in Hollywood!
[wild cheering]
It was front-page news. - Yeah, that's true.
- The whole world was saying, "What did we just watch?"
- Yeah.
Okay, this is Simon.
- This is Simon. - I'm so proud of you.
That was quite amazing. - Thank you.
- And Kodi went on to win.
- Amazing.
Kodi Lee!
- Music has literally changed his life.
His audition is the most viral moment in "AGT" history,
with nearly half a billion views,
and now he's starring in the "America's Got Talent"
live show in Las Vegas.
We found a star. - Yes.
Coming up...
Now is the time to see who you have chosen
as the number one favorite Golden Buzzer moment
of all time.
You did not disappoint. - I know.
[exciting music]
- As we approach the finishing line,
it's getting exciting.
Was it hard to narrow it down, Simon?
- Do you know what? It was quite difficult,
because there were so many choices.
- Let's check out who you put at number two.
I think the whole of America fell in love
with this next young girl.
It's Darci Lynne.
[upbeat music]
[cheers and applause]
- How are you?
- [giggling] I'm great.
- [chuckling] Why are you laughing?
- I don't know. [chuckles]
- She's absolutely adorable.
- Aww. - What's your name?
- My name's Darci Lynne. - Okay, and Darci, who's that?
- My name's Petunia. [audience gasps]
- It talks.
- [giggles] - Is it a bunny?
- Yes. - Ah.
- Is that a real bunny?
[laughter] Are we going to find out?
Okay, well, listen, Darci, best of luck.
I really hope you both do well. - Thank you so much.
- All right, good luck.
[cheering]
- Are you ready?
- Yeah, I'm ready. Hit it.
- [laughs]
- What, you're going to sing?
- Mm-hmm. - Oh, boy.
[George Gershwin's "Summertime" playing]
- * Summertime *
* And the livin' is easy *
- Wow!
- That voice.
- She was 12 years old when she auditioned.
- * Fish are jumpin' *
* And the cotton is high *
- Wow.
- * One of these *
- * Mornings *
[both laughing]
- Honestly, I did think on the day,
that wasn't her singing, because I said
it's impossible to sing without opening your mouth.
- No idea how hard that is. I tried it,
and It didn't work. [laughter]
- * And you'll take to the sky *
* But till that morning *
* There ain't nothing can harm you *
- Her singing voice alone is incredible.
- It's wonderful. - Yeah!
- * So hush, little baby *
- [laughs]
- * Don't you cry *
- That's brilliant!
- [giggles]
[wild cheering]
[uplifting piano music]
* *
- Aww, she's crying.
- Look at her.
- How long have you been doing this?
- Two years.
- No! - That's all?
Can I ask you, what made you start doing this two years ago?
- Well, I used to be really shy,
and I asked my mom for a puppet to help me,
and she surprised me with one on my tenth birthday.
And here I am. [laughs]
- She was funny, she had personality.
Everything about this audition was gold.
I did think at that point,
we really, really found ourselves a star here.
- Yep. Yes. - That's why this was
one of my favorite Golden Buzzer moments.
- Your puppet, I'm guessing, is exactly like you,
very charming and adorable.
[laughter] You make my heart melt.
You are brilliant. - Thanks!
- I'm trying to describe how amazing it was.
You know what?
[drumroll]
- * And if you have a minute *
* Why don't we go *
* Talk about it somewhere only we know *
* This could be the end of everything *
* So why don't we go *
* Somewhere only we know *
[wild cheering]
- Yeah, she's amazing.
You know, there were so many talented acts
that year, but she went on to win.
- This is what "AGT" is about.
When you talk about making stars,
she is a megastar. - Yeah.
- America just fell in love with Darci.
Since her audition, she's made numerous TV appearances,
and continues to travel the country on sell-out tours.
The whole world knows her now. - Yeah.
- And people all love her.
- Darci!
- Best day of my life.
* *
[exciting music]
[upbeat music]
* *
- So we've made it, Simon. It has been incredible
watching back so many special Golden Buzzer moments.
But now it's time to see who you have chosen
as the number one favorite Golden Buzzer moment
of all time.
And you did not disappoint with your choice.
- Yeah.
There was something really special,
you know, about Jane.
I adored her.
* *
[cheering]
- Hi. - Hello.
- Hi, how are you? - Hello.
- I'm awesome, I'm so happy to be here.
- Well, we're happy you are.
What's your name? - My name's Jane.
When I sing, I go by Nightbirde.
- Do you know, it's difficult.
I actually haven't been able to watch this
since she passed.
- I'm singing an original song called "It's OK."
- "It's OK." - Yeah.
- What is "It's OK" about?
- "It's OK" is the story of the last year of my life.
- And what do you do for a living?
- I have not been working for quite a few years.
I've been dealing with cancer.
- Oh, sorry. - [chuckles]
No, it's okay. - Okay.
- Yeah, I'm okay.
- All right.
- Can I ask you a question? How are you now?
- Uh, last time I checked, I had some cancer
in my lungs and my spine and my liver.
- Wow.
- You've got a beautiful smile and a beautiful glow.
- Thank you. It's important that everyone
knows I'm so much more than the bad things
that happen to me. - Yes.
[cheering]
- Yes.
- What was so special about Jane,
in my opinion, was she was always optimistic.
But of course, she-- she recently passed away,
which makes this tough.
But all she ever kept talking about was her music.
[piano track playing]
- * I moved to California *
* In the summertime *
* I changed my name thinking *
* That it would change my mind *
* I thought that all my problems *
* They would stay behind *
* I was a stick of dynamite *
* And it was just a matter of time, yeah *
* Oh, dang, oh, my, now I can't hide *
* Said I knew myself but I guess I lied *
* It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay *
* If you're lost, we're all a little lost *
* And it's all right *
* It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay *
* If you're lost, we're all a little lost *
* And it's all right *
* It's okay, it's okay, it's okay, it's okay *
* If you're lost, we're all a little lost *
* And it's all right *
* Oh, oh *
* It's all right *
* To be lost sometimes *
- [breathes shakily]
[wild cheering]
- Bravo! Bravo!
[tender music]
* *
- I don't know what to say.
- Give me two seconds. - Yes.
- [sniffling]
- You know, it's funny, because singers come on,
and I--and I think about authenticity.
You know, when you feel it, when it moves you?
That felt like the most authentic thing
I have heard this season.
- Your voice is stunning.
- Mm-hmm, it is. - Absolutely stunning.
And I totally agree with what Howie said,
you know, about authenticity.
* *
There was something about that song,
after the way you just almost casually told us
what you're going through, and...
oh, you know.
[exhales]
- You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore
before you decide to be happy.
[cheering]
- The amazing strength she showed
in the midst of incredible adversity.
It was a lesson for all of us.
- The last time I saw her,
she did say what that moment meant to her.
All these years, she'd been trying to get
recognition as a songwriter, as a singer.
I'm not going to give you a "Yes."
And in an instant, everything changed for her.
I'm going to give you something else.
[drumroll]
[Joy Oladokun's "Breathe Again"]
[wild cheering]
* *
I promise you, so many people come up to me
and talk about what she did.
Giving people, you know, hope and perspective,
and you know, that lyric of that song.
And you know, she typifies, I think,
what the Golden Buzzer, like you said, is all about.
And she knew how sick she was,
and she couldn't make the finals.
But I think, you know, watching it back,
it's like-- it makes you feel hopeful
that her Golden Buzzer will live on forever.
Everything about that was really special.
Good for you. Good for you. - Oh, thank you so much.
- No one else could be-- in my opinion,
could be number one, you know?
- That's right. That's right, I agree.
I feel like I'm watching an angel.
- * Will I ever breathe again *
- I made it!
[faint cheering in background]
[Andra Day's "Rise Up]
- * You're broken down and tired *
* Of living life on a merry-go-round *
* And you can't find the fighter *
- Simon, thank you, thank you,
thank you for putting this together.
- Oh, thank you for doing it with me, T.
- My pleasure.
- It's brought back so many memories.
And now I'm going to really, really think now
about every Golden Buzzer I ever give,
'cause when we do this show again--
- No. - Yeah.
- That's right. - It's kind of like,
God, you know what,
they really mean something.
- That's right. - Yeah.
- You my homie. - You know that.
- I love you, brother. - I do, I love you.
- You're my brother. - I really do.