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Australian choir director gets entire 'AGT' audience to sing Toto's Africa in perfect harmony

Thousands of strangers singing as one. That's what the world needs right now.

America's got Talent/Youtube

Bringing out other's talent is a talent all its own.

Ninety-nine percent of what you see on America’s Got Talent are acts that showcase an individual or group’s, well, unbelievable talent. That is, after all, the name of the game. However, ever so often there’s a performance that comes around that really isn’t about the performance at all, and more about bringing folks together—which is beautiful and magical and oh so needed. This is one of those times.

When Australian choir director Astrid Jorgensen took to the stage, she told the judges “I think I might run the biggest choir in the world.” Though it perplexed folks at first, it was actually a clever hint at what was to come.

As the guitarist began strumming an all-too familiar tune, Jorgensen quickly gave a rundown to the audience, telling them that higher voices would sing the parts in blue that appeared on a giant screen, middle-ranged voices would sing in green, and low voices would sing in red.

That’s right. Jorgenson wouldn’t really be performing at all. The audience would be.

“Be brave. You are the act!” Jorgenson declared. And before you knew it, everyone was singing in harmony to Toto’s “Africa.”

  - YouTube  www.youtube.com  

Perhaps unsurprisingly, judges were a bit mixed on the act overall. Not because they didn’t enjoy it, but because it didn’t really fit the usual AGT fare. But, as Simon Cowell said, “I think what you did was really smart. Within about 20 seconds, every person in this audience was singing. To have the capacity to do that, and to let the audience win the show — that’s brilliant.”

It’s this ability to bring people together that really struck online viewers as well.

“She gave the audience an experience they will actually remember. She didn’t make it about herself, she literally united a gigantic crowd in song in a matter of seconds,” one person wrote on Youtube.

Another added, “She just left an entire audience with a memory they will never forget. That's astounding.”

Still a third wrote, “This IS the type of entertainment the world needs right now. UNITE, PARTICIPATE, COME TOGETHER, in fun, harmony, joy, playfulness, creativity, empowerment, etc.”

Celebrating “average” voices seems to be a major mission for Jorgenson. Not only does she regularly offer large-scale improvised music lessons just like this though her Pub Choir project, but she recently wrote a memoir, titled “Average at Best,” which aims to help people free themselves of perfectionism and “feel less ashamed of whatever voice they have.”

“By its very nature, ‘best’ is rare and elusive: you’re not going to get much of it in life. And I sure don’t want to miss out on deeply experiencing the fullness of my one precious existence, searching for the sliver of ‘best’,” an excerpt reads.

Honestly, how badass to go on stage for a show that aims to scope out greatness, and remind us all that there’s so much more to life than that.

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Janitor's "Faithfully" cover dubbed the best of what "America's Got Talent' stands for

"What he represents is BIG for every single person."

America's Got Talent/Youtube

He's predicted to be the next big winner.

Listen, “America’s Got Talent” is a competition show with a sizable grand prize. So we can expect to see performers at the top of their game—who have painstakingly dedicated themselves to their craft, who might have even already gone viral for their god given gifts—clamoring to make it to the top.

But every so often, average, everyday folks show up to finally share those talents that otherwise went without a spotlight, and in doing so we are poignantly reminded that magic is hiding everywhere. Without a doubt, Richard Goodall, the singing janitor from Indiana, fits that bill.

With a quiet, humble personality that belies a rockstar voice, Goodall has absolutely wowed “AGT” audiences and judges alike with his showstopping covers of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'," the Michael Bolton's "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" and Survivor's "Eye of the Tiger." Iconic rock classics, and Goodall effortlessly nails them all.

And just when you think he couldn’t possibly outdo himself, Goodall sings“Faithfully,” another Journey hit, as for his performance in the finals.

And just like with any unforgettable act, Goodall not only shows off incredible skills, but took the audience on an emotional voyage.

Watch:

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

After the raucous applause died down, judges were quick to shower Goodall with praises, sharing how much they hoped this unassuming janitor would win big.

"Richard, I have been faithfully your biggest fan since the very, very first day we met, all the way through this competition,” said Hiedi Klum. “I want you to win this so bad, Richard!”

"I will make a prediction right now: I think you just sang yourself $1 million," Howie Mandel declared, while Simon Cowell added, "We all need a hero right now, and you are our hero."

Down in the Youtube comments, online viewers shared the same sentiment, calling Goodall the best of what “AGT” stands for.

“This is what AGT should be, regular every-day people with talent who don’t typically get to perform on a stage like this.”

“He sings with his heart. He’s an inspiration. Such a humble human being. He deserves to win this. He got all my votes!”

“Richard doesn't need to win, WE need him to win. Not only America, but the entire world. What he represents is BIG for every single person.”

“Richard has stayed true to himself. He hasn’t 'changed' because of all the attention. He's still a humble,quiet, hard working man with an amazing gift. His voice, to me, is like liquid gold. I genuinely hope Richard wins this year as he deserves it all. Good luck and keep true to yourself Richard Goodall.”

“Richard it's me, your disabled navy veteran fan that has been following your journey supporting you from day one of you auditioning for AGT 2024. I have no doubt that you will be the WINNER of AGT 2024…You gave all the people out here the hope and inspiration to ‘Don't Stop Believin’’ in our dreams, to use that ‘EYE of The Tiger’ to see and envision their dreams to ‘Faithfully’ make them come true by you yourself making your dream come true. America and the world is behind you, supporting you all the way along this magical singing journey to becoming a legend in the making.”

“Richard Goodall is what we all need right now. He is a true hero for everyone. He is a hard working humble man who can sing with all his heart and soul. His dream is coming true. He truly deserves it.”

There you have it, everyone. No matter who gets that coveted prize, Goodall has won in a very profound way.


This article originally appeared last year.

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14-year-old's expressive, physics-defying 'Mad World' dance blows away AGT judges and fans

Her haunting performance is a must-see.

America's Got Talent/YouTube

Mariandrea Villegas has talent and showmanship beyond her years.

Dance is a unique art form in that the medium it utilizes is the human body itself. Simply through purposeful and graceful control of movement, dancers can express and evoke joy, sadness, fear, confusion—the whole range of human emotion. And when dancing is done well, it's utterly mesmerizing.

Such is the case with Mariandrea Villegas, a 14-year-old from Mexico who auditioned for America's Got Talent in July of 2023 and wowed both the judges and the audience with her dance performance. She has been dancing since she was 5, and as Simon Cowell pointed out, it's clear that she was born to do this.

After showing off her sparkling personality during the pre-performance interview, Mariandrea danced to a cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World," personifying the song in her performance. But it wasn't just her intentional movement that reflected the emotional complexity of the ever-popular hit. Her facial expressions, ranging from subtle fear to a clown-like smile to genuine sorrow to angry defiance, change on a dime, adding an acting element to her routine that takes it to the next level.

Add in the incredible control she has of her body as it twists and turns and seems to defy gravity, both gracefully flowing and disturbingly contorting, and it's easy to see why she earned a standing ovation and enthusiastic praise from all four judges.

The original video posted to America's Got Talent's Youtube account has since expired, but you can watch the performance posted by Youtuber TALENTKINGHD, an avid poster of clips from American and European music and talent competitions:

- YouTube

For someone so young to have such a strong grasp of her craft is quite extraordinary, and people were wowed by her talent as well as her showmanship.

"I had to watch this more than once. Her smile, energy, and face reminds me of a young Natalie Portman. You can tell she is more than a dancer also, very intelligent, expressive, talented, yes acting too. Wow! Congratulations!" shared one commenter on the now-expired original video.

"This young lady has a very bright future ahead of her! The passion that she emanated while dancing was above and beyond what we have seen in half the dancers that are older than her... Can't wait to see what she does next!!!" wrote another.

"Stunned. I would have given her a golden buzzer. The sharpness, flexibility, timing, theatrics, and costume use. 10/10," shared another.

One commenter pointed out that her dance felt like a monologue, and another person called it "absolute art." Many people expressed disappointment that she didn't receive the Golden Buzzer, which would propel her immediately to the final round.

But, to no one's surprise, she did just fine even without the golden buzzer. Mariandrea made it to the Semifinals and, fortunately for all of us, she's still dancing (and now modeling!) today.

Follow her success on Instagram.


This article originally appeared last year.

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11-year-old AGT audience member wows everyone with her amazing voice—getting her own 'Golden Buzzer'

Madison Taylor Baez continued to move audiences when she told them what she would do with the million dollar prize.

YouTube

Her talent is unreal.

We all know that in NBC’s long running “America’s Got Talent,” it’s all about earning that coveted Golden Buzzer. Performers of all kinds grace the stage in hopes of wowing the judges, seizing the prize and moving onto the next round.

What you might not know is that during commercial breaks, random audience members get a chance to show their stuff as well. Usually this bit is just for fun to pass the time. But one young singer gave such a spectacular performance that everyone was left in awe.

Eleven-year-old Madison Baez Taylor was placed in the audience by the show’s producers unbeknownst to the judges. A huge AGT fan, Madison had been to tapings since she was 4 years old and would always try to sing during the commercial breaks. Finally—the year she came to actually audition, no less—her dream came true.

Once Madison was handed the mic, there was no holding back. Her raw, soulful rendition of “Amazing Grace” instantly wowed, and the crowd burst into a standing ovation. Judges Sofía Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel spun in their chairs. Even the notoriously unimpressed Simon Cowell quickly came in from backstage to see who the mysterious powerhouse was.

“We do ask people in the breaks if they’d like to sing a song and I was literally just coming back in and I heard this voice, thinking, ‘Who the hell is that?’ And then I see this little thing in the audience and it’s you,” Cowell told Madison.

With a smile, Cowell then asked Madison to sing again. This time on the stage. For an official audition.

Through tears, Madison sang again a capella, somehow with even more flair and gusto. And holy moly, that vibrato.

Needless to say, cheers ensued.

After her thrilling encore, Cowell told Madison, “I’m not kidding. In all the years we’ve ever done this, this has never actually happened before. I mean, I normally leave during the break because people do sing, so this is actually the opposite. It actually brought me back into the room.”

Mandel then asked Madison what she might do with the $1 million grand prize if she were to win. Her heartfelt answer caught everyone by surprise.

“I would help my dad with cancer research. He's had stage 4 colon cancer for the past nine years,” Madison said, getting emotional.

Her dad, who had come to support his daughter during her big moment, later joined Madison on the stage. He revealed that she learned to sing by serenading him during his surgeries and chemo treatment. “She’d sing to me and help me get better, and I’m doing very well,” he told the audience.

Madison received the Golden Buzzer from Mandel. No vote necessary. She and her dad shared a wonderful moment of victory as the golden confetti rained down. Whether she makes it to the final round or not, this girl is a winner.


This article originally appeared on 6.13.22

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