AGT contestant who’s blind, autistic impresses with Irene Cara cover, clinches Golden Buzzer
Lavender Darcangelo receives the Golden Buzzer from judge Heidi Klum. Screenshot from America’s Got Talent’s YouTube channel
Singer Lavender Darcangelo, who is blind and autistic, became the latest act to receive the Golden Buzzer in the 18th season of “America’s Got Talent” (AGT).
With her moving rendition of Irene Cara’s “Out Here on My Own,” Darcangelo won over the audience and judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum. Her performance would eventually seal her place in the live shows after Klum pressed the Golden Buzzer in the show’s July 11 (US time) episode.
The 27-year-old contestant, who was accompanied on stage by her father, Wil, was overwhelmed and in disbelief when Mandel told her that “everybody was on their feet.” The Canadian comedian would also comment on how Darcangelo’s singing “gives everybody hope,” addingshe was “a dream come true.”
“Not only is it beautiful and not only is it amazing, but when you sing, it is so exciting and 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,” Mandel said.
Cowell, who joined the panel in 2016, called the audition “sensational” and “magical.” “You have such a talent. You have such an amazing personality. And, you know what, we make the show because we get to meet people like you occasionally,” Cowell told an emotional Darcangelo, adding that her audition was one he would “never forget.”
The British TV personality—when Darcangelo, at one point, referred to herself as “not normal”—also told the “AGT” hopeful, “Well, I think I’m speaking for all of us because we love you just the way you are,” bringing Darcangelo to tears.
“Modern Family” actress Sofia Vergara, who got emotional over the song number, claimed that she forgot about being a judge and “was just enjoying your voice.”
Klum, before pressing the Golden Buzzer, shared that she felt like she “just fell in love,” and told Darcangelo that she wanted to support her until she wins the show.
“And, you know, 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,” said Klum who then uttered, “Let’s do this,” as she pressed the Golden Buzzer.
The former “Project Runway” host came up on stage to celebrate with Darcangelo and her father. Klum, as she gave Darcangelo a hug, promised the Golden Buzzer recipient that she would be there for her until the end.
Seemingly still overwhelmed by the moment, Darcangelo, when asked by “AGT” host Terry Crews how she felt, said, “I don’t know if this is a dream or if I’m really awake.” Wil’s husband, Jamie, also joined his family on stage per Klum’s request.
Wil shared that he met Darcangelo in an after-school music program that he started, during which Darcangelo would ask Wil to adopt her. Hinting at the complication with his position as a faculty member, Wil shared that it took years before Darcangelo became their “legal daughter.”
“[S]everal years [go] by, and she’s having struggles. And before you know it, she moved in with me and my husband, Jamie, the day we came home from our honeymoon. And so, a year later after that, she became our legal daughter,” Wil shared prior to Darcangelo’s performance.
In a conversation shown after the audition, Darcangelo told her fathers, “I feel like I was made for you, guys,” to which Wil responded, “Vice versa.” The auditionee would also express how she has wondered about her purpose—”[W]hat am I here for?”—but shared, “[I]t’s like now I know like…I know where I am. I know why I’m here.” Wil, seemingly completing Darcangelo’s thought, said, “So we can be a family.”
Darcangelo is the fifth act to join the list of Golden Buzzer recipients this season, who also include two other singing acts—Mzansi Youth Choir and Putri Ariani, a 17-year-old blind singer from Indonesia.
Filipino singer Roland Abante also had a successful audition this season, as he received a standing ovation from all four judges after performing Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman.” /ra
