America's Got Talent (2006–…): Season 17, Episode 6 - Simon's Favorite Golden Buzzers - full transcript
- 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."
- 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 ♪
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- ♪ It's like sugar, so sweet ♪
♪ Get up on, a-yo feet ♪
- My goodness.
Look at Sofía,
she's like, "Yeah!"
- ♪ 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!
- 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!
- Ah!
- Look at you.
- Look at me, I was in.
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.
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.
How you doin'?
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.
- 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'?
Hey, how you doin'?
- How you doin'?
- Hey, how you doin'?
How you doin'? How you doin'?
- Yeah, yeah.
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.
- 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.
♪ 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 ♪
- 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?
- 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'?
- 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.
- ♪ 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- ♪ They speak
of a better place ♪
♪ They speak of kingdoms ♪
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 ♪
- 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.
- How amazing was this?
- 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.
- 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.
- She's so shy.
- A little mouse
as she comes out.
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.
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!
- Whoa!
- ♪ Come home with me, ah! ♪
- Oh, my...
- Whoa!
Brilliant.
- Brilliant.
- Wonderful.
- 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.
- 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...
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- This is incredible.
- I mean, how does
someone think about this?
- Yeah.
- I mean, she nearly hit
the top of the theater.
- She almost hit the top.
She almost hit the X's.
- It was like a machine.
It just worked.
I've never seen anything
of that scale all my life.
- You're right.
- Ever.
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.
- 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.
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!
- 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!
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Every one of us was just
willing him to be good.
It was like, please,
please, please be good.
- Oh, yeah!
- 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 ♪
- Yeah!
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.
- 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.
- ♪ 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.
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 ♪
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
I mean, come on.
Whoa!
- Unbelievable.
- That's my girl!
- You're like something out of
"Game of Thrones," aren't you?
Exactly.
- 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.
- Oh, my God!
- 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.
- 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.
- Yah!
- Whoa!
- Ha!
- Whoa!
- Whoa!
- This is incredible!
- I remember watching you
watching them.
You were like a teenager again.
- You are as excited
as they were.
I mean, that's... that's
what's so brilliant about it.
- Yeah!
- 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!
- Look.
- Look how high that is!
- Yeah!
- Whoa!
- 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.
- 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!
- ♪ We are the champions,
my friends ♪
♪ 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.
- ♪ Of the world ♪
- 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.
- Hi, young lady.
What is your name?
- Grace.
- Grace, how old are you?
- 12.
- Are you excited to be here?
- It's crazy.
- What are you going to sing?
- I'm singing an original.
- Really?
- Yes.
- And what's it about?
It's about me.
- And you believe
that you can win?
- Well, I mean, miracles
can happen, so possibly.
- 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.
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!
- ♪ 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.
I was really upset...
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
We were a bit like, what?
- ♪ Put yo' pinky rings up
to the moon ♪
♪ 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.
- ♪ This right here is
my type of party ♪
♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
♪ Five more hours,
we're just getting started ♪
♪ Five more hours,
we're just getting started ♪
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Watch their faces now.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Thank you.
- Aww, I love seeing this.
- ♪ 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 ♪
♪ So I will try ♪
♪ If I would try ♪
- It was really special,
wasn't it?
- Incredible.
- ♪ If I would try ♪
- The reaction was unbelievable.
- 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.
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.
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 ♪
- Next up, wow, another
one of my Golden Buzzers, man.
The Detroit Youth Choir.
- They are the best choir
we've ever had.
- Ever.
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.
- Our mission is to show
that young people
from Detroit can be somebody.
- 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.
- I actually love choirs,
so good luck.
- Let's do it.
♪ 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 ♪
- ♪ Looking for a better way
to get up outta bed ♪
♪ Instead of getting
on the Internet ♪
♪ And checking who hit, we up ♪
♪ Thrift shop,
pimp-strut walkin' ♪
- Look at these guys!
- ♪ Somewhere between
like Rocky ♪
You're in the choir.
I'm the honorary member.
♪ 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.
- ♪ Like the ceiling can't
hold us ♪
♪ Like the ceiling
can't hold us ♪
♪ This is our moment ♪
- 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.
- 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.
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!
- ♪ 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.
- 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.
DYC! DYC! DYC!
- Oh, my goodness.
Number three.
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.
- 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!
- 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.
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."
And then the first note
on the piano started,
and I sat back,
and it was like, whoa.
- ♪ 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 ♪
- ♪ There goes
my heart beating ♪
- Yes!
- ♪ 'Cause you are the reason ♪
- Yes!
- ♪ I'm losing my sleep ♪
- Not a dry eye in the theatre.
- 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.
- ♪ Climb every mountain, mm ♪
♪ And swim every ocean ♪
- 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!
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.
- 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.
- How are you?
I'm great.
Why are you laughing?
I don't know.
- She's absolutely adorable.
- Aww.
- What's your name?
- My name's Darci Lynne.
- Okay, and Darci, who's that?
My name's Petunia.
- It talks.
Is it a bunny?
- Yes.
- Ah.
- Is that a real bunny?
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.
- Are you ready?
- Yeah, I'm ready. Hit it.
- What, you're going to sing?
- Mm-hmm.
- Oh, boy.
- ♪ 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 ♪
- 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.
- ♪ 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 ♪
- ♪ Don't you cry ♪
- That's brilliant!
- 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.
- 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.
You make my heart melt.
You are brilliant.
- Thanks!
- I'm trying to describe
how amazing it was.
You know what?
- ♪ 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 ♪
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- ♪ 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 ♪
- Bravo! Bravo!
- I don't know what to say.
- Give me two seconds.
- Yes.
- 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.
- You can't wait
until life isn't hard anymore
before you decide to be happy.
- 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.
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!
- ♪ 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.
- 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."
- 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 ♪
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- ♪ It's like sugar, so sweet ♪
♪ Get up on, a-yo feet ♪
- My goodness.
Look at Sofía,
she's like, "Yeah!"
- ♪ 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!
- 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!
- Ah!
- Look at you.
- Look at me, I was in.
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.
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.
How you doin'?
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.
- 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'?
Hey, how you doin'?
- How you doin'?
- Hey, how you doin'?
How you doin'? How you doin'?
- Yeah, yeah.
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.
- 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.
♪ 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 ♪
- 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?
- 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'?
- 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.
- ♪ 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- ♪ They speak
of a better place ♪
♪ They speak of kingdoms ♪
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 ♪
- 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.
- How amazing was this?
- 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.
- 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.
- She's so shy.
- A little mouse
as she comes out.
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.
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!
- Whoa!
- ♪ Come home with me, ah! ♪
- Oh, my...
- Whoa!
Brilliant.
- Brilliant.
- Wonderful.
- 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.
- 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...
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- This is incredible.
- I mean, how does
someone think about this?
- Yeah.
- I mean, she nearly hit
the top of the theater.
- She almost hit the top.
She almost hit the X's.
- It was like a machine.
It just worked.
I've never seen anything
of that scale all my life.
- You're right.
- Ever.
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.
- 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.
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!
- 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!
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Every one of us was just
willing him to be good.
It was like, please,
please, please be good.
- Oh, yeah!
- 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 ♪
- Yeah!
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.
- 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.
- ♪ 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.
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 ♪
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
I mean, come on.
Whoa!
- Unbelievable.
- That's my girl!
- You're like something out of
"Game of Thrones," aren't you?
Exactly.
- 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.
- Oh, my God!
- 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.
- 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.
- Yah!
- Whoa!
- Ha!
- Whoa!
- Whoa!
- This is incredible!
- I remember watching you
watching them.
You were like a teenager again.
- You are as excited
as they were.
I mean, that's... that's
what's so brilliant about it.
- Yeah!
- 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!
- Look.
- Look how high that is!
- Yeah!
- Whoa!
- 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.
- 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!
- ♪ We are the champions,
my friends ♪
♪ 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.
- ♪ Of the world ♪
- 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.
- Hi, young lady.
What is your name?
- Grace.
- Grace, how old are you?
- 12.
- Are you excited to be here?
- It's crazy.
- What are you going to sing?
- I'm singing an original.
- Really?
- Yes.
- And what's it about?
It's about me.
- And you believe
that you can win?
- Well, I mean, miracles
can happen, so possibly.
- 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.
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!
- ♪ 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.
I was really upset...
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
We were a bit like, what?
- ♪ Put yo' pinky rings up
to the moon ♪
♪ 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.
- ♪ This right here is
my type of party ♪
♪ Ooh-ooh-ooh ooh-ooh-ooh ♪
♪ Five more hours,
we're just getting started ♪
♪ Five more hours,
we're just getting started ♪
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Watch their faces now.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Thank you.
- Aww, I love seeing this.
- ♪ 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 ♪
♪ So I will try ♪
♪ If I would try ♪
- It was really special,
wasn't it?
- Incredible.
- ♪ If I would try ♪
- The reaction was unbelievable.
- 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.
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.
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 ♪
- Next up, wow, another
one of my Golden Buzzers, man.
The Detroit Youth Choir.
- They are the best choir
we've ever had.
- Ever.
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.
- Our mission is to show
that young people
from Detroit can be somebody.
- 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.
- I actually love choirs,
so good luck.
- Let's do it.
♪ 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 ♪
- ♪ Looking for a better way
to get up outta bed ♪
♪ Instead of getting
on the Internet ♪
♪ And checking who hit, we up ♪
♪ Thrift shop,
pimp-strut walkin' ♪
- Look at these guys!
- ♪ Somewhere between
like Rocky ♪
You're in the choir.
I'm the honorary member.
♪ 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.
- ♪ Like the ceiling can't
hold us ♪
♪ Like the ceiling
can't hold us ♪
♪ This is our moment ♪
- 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.
- 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.
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!
- ♪ 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.
- 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.
DYC! DYC! DYC!
- Oh, my goodness.
Number three.
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.
- 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!
- 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.
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."
And then the first note
on the piano started,
and I sat back,
and it was like, whoa.
- ♪ 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 ♪
- ♪ There goes
my heart beating ♪
- Yes!
- ♪ 'Cause you are the reason ♪
- Yes!
- ♪ I'm losing my sleep ♪
- Not a dry eye in the theatre.
- 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.
- ♪ Climb every mountain, mm ♪
♪ And swim every ocean ♪
- 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!
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.
- 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.
- How are you?
I'm great.
Why are you laughing?
I don't know.
- She's absolutely adorable.
- Aww.
- What's your name?
- My name's Darci Lynne.
- Okay, and Darci, who's that?
My name's Petunia.
- It talks.
Is it a bunny?
- Yes.
- Ah.
- Is that a real bunny?
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.
- Are you ready?
- Yeah, I'm ready. Hit it.
- What, you're going to sing?
- Mm-hmm.
- Oh, boy.
- ♪ 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 ♪
- 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.
- ♪ 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 ♪
- ♪ Don't you cry ♪
- That's brilliant!
- 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.
- 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.
You make my heart melt.
You are brilliant.
- Thanks!
- I'm trying to describe
how amazing it was.
You know what?
- ♪ 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 ♪
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
- 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.
- ♪ 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 ♪
- Bravo! Bravo!
- I don't know what to say.
- Give me two seconds.
- Yes.
- 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.
- You can't wait
until life isn't hard anymore
before you decide to be happy.
- 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.
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!
- ♪ 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.