Image: Instagram/@nightbirde
It’s been a year since Nightbirde, a fan-favorite contestant from “America’s Got Talent” (AGT) season 16, died of breast cancer, but her music lives on with the release of her posthumous album.
Born as Jane Marczewski, she shared her struggles with the disease through the original song “It’s Okay” in her audition. The performance, which earned a golden buzzer, went viral back in June 2021 as her journey with cancer was thrust into the spotlight.
However, the singer announced her withdrawal from the show in August of the same year. She eventually succumbed to cancer in February 2022.
A year later, Nightbirde’s family announced the release of her 10-track posthumous album last Feb. 19 via U.S.-based media outlet People, which includes “It’s Okay”, to commemorate her first death anniversary.
The proceeds of the album will be going to The Nightbirde Foundation to help other women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, as per report.
Mitch Marczewski, Nightbirde’s brother, told People that the album pays tribute to the singer-songwriter’s legacy and how she “touched the hearts of many.”
“We’re excited to share Jane’s debut album with the world. Her work has touched the hearts of many because of her honesty and joy in the midst of sorrow,” he was quoted as saying. “This album doesn’t pit these emotions against one another, but rather it shows joy can come through sorrow.”
Mitch also revealed that the songs were recorded by Nightbirde during her battle with breast cancer, noting that the record is a “reflection of her strength and the battle she was fighting in her own words.”
“Jane would be so proud of this album, but more than that, she’d be proud of the work that the Nightbirde Foundation is doing to help others find hope and healing in the midst of tragedy,” he added.
Prior to her death, Nightbirde admitted in a CNN interview in August 2021 that leaving AGT was really hard for her to do, as she experienced cancer regrowth in her liver and lungs.
The singer-songwriter was said to be battling cancer for four years until her death on February 19, 2022 at 31 years old. EDV