Watch the 27-Year-Old Blind, Autistic Vocalist From Massachusetts That Won Heidi Klum's 'AGT' Golden Buzzer
There aren’t many Golden Buzzers left for Season 18 of America’s Got Talent. Simon Cowell gave his to 17-year-old Indonesian singer/songwriter Putri Ariani; Howie Mandel selected synchronized dance troupe Murmuration; Terry Crews was moved to award his to 8-year-old Chioma and the Atlanta Drum Academy; and a special audience Golden Buzzer was given to the Mzansi Youth Choir after a touching performance of the late Nightbirde’s original song “It’s OK” on the first night of the season.
That just left Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara, who on the last episode of the talent competition weren’t impressed enough with any of the acts to bestow the honor. But tonight, Heidi was so touched by Lavender Darcangelo, a blind, autistic vocalist, who performed Irene Cara’s “Out Here on My Own,” that she sent Lavender straight through to the Live Shows.
After Lavender sang, she received a standing ovation from the audience and Simon could be heard to say, “Unbelievable.”
And Howie added, “Wow! That was amazing. Everybody was on their feet. Everybody was going crazy. Nobody was sitting.”
Related: Photos! See All 14 Acts Performing on Night 6 of America's Got Talent Season 18
Then Simon began the critiques. “That was sensational,” he told Lavender. “Honestly, everything about that was magical. You have such a talent. You have such an amazing personality. You know what? We make the show because we get to meet people like you occasionally. I’m so happy you came on our show to share your talent with us, because this is an audition I will never forget. It was amazing.”
“That was spectacular,” Sofia chimed in. “I forgot I was judging you and was just enjoying your voice. That was beautiful.”
Next Howie said, “Not only was it beautiful and not only was it amazing but when you sing, it is so exciting it gives everybody hope that maybe we can all achieve our dreams if we just go for it. And you are a dream come true young lady.”
Lavender, who was so moved by the judges’ comments thanked them and said, “I’ve got to say that AGT is my favorite show because it’s about being different and I don’t know, I’m not normal.”
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Simon reassured her, “I’m speaking for all of us because we love you just the way you are.”
As Lavender wiped tears from her eyes, it was Heidi’s turn.
“I feel like I just fell in love,” Heidi said. “This AGT journey is an amazing journey, and I would love to be your cheerleader and hold your hand all the way to the finish line. What do you say?”
And before Lavender could say anything, Heidi hit the Golden Buzzer and ran up on stage, hugged Lavender and told her, “I am going to hold your hand all the way to the finish line. You sounded beautiful.”
Related: Winning the AGT Golden Buzzer Makes 8-Year-Old Chioma’s Dream Come True
Lavender, 27, is from Massachusetts. She began singing at 3 years old, despite not talking until she was 4?.
“I sang in the sixth-grade talent show,” she told the judges. “When I sang in the talent show, I felt like it was a dream come true because I would sit in my room every night and fantasize about being on TV. That’s the kind of job I want where every day is like my birthday.”
Lavender was accompanied by her dad Will, who adopted her later in life.
“I started an afterschool music program and Lavender and I met,” Will said. “She asked me to adopt her, but I said, ‘I’m a member of the faculty. That’s just not how it works.’ Several years go by and Lavender is having struggles, and before you know it, she moved in with me and my husband Jamie the day we came home from our honeymoon. A year later, she became our legal daughter.”
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.