Two years after singer-songwriter and cancer patient Nightbirde won America’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer and heart — and millions of viewers’ hearts — with her optimistic original ballad “It’s OK,” her presence continued to be felt on this week’s AGT Season 18 premiere. At the emotional end of the episode, Soweto’s Mzansi Youth Choir put a triumphant spin on Nightbirde’s anthem — and they made Golden Buzzer history of their own.
She inspired millions of people from around the world and touched their lives with a sense of hope. Before she passed away, listen to what she had to say:
As soon as the Mzansi Youth Choir began their intricately harmonized and choreographed performance, it was clear that the panel was impressed. But when the group got to the chorus’s familiar, hopeful refrain, that’s when it clicked for the judges. Cowell exchanged a knowing glance across the desk with Howie Mandel, who uttered a simple “wow” and placed his head in his hands, while the sad-eyed Vergara and Heidi Klum sighed audibly. A standing ovation from all four judges ensued, as host Terry Crews dabbed his eyes and remarked, “What a wonderful tribute to a beautiful person.”
“I’ll always remember Nightbirde,” said Mandel. “And to see that it touched people on the other side of the globe — unbelievable. You deserved so much more than a yes. You deserve a ‘thank you.’”
“That was the perfect AGT audition,” said a noticeably choked-up Vergara. It was then that Cowell finally spoke, although he could barely get out the words. “This brought back so many memories for me,” he said, trying not to cry as Vergara supportively rubbed his shoulder. “I know how much this would have meant to her.” Cowell paused again as he finally broke into tears, but he stoically continued after wiping his eyes. “Right until the end, she was so passionate about sharing her music. This has gone all over the world, and you’ve come back here with the most amazing tribute. It was just breathtaking, honestly.”
Watch Nightbirde’s original “It’s OK” breakout performance below:
“This is for you. This for [the audience]. This is for Jane,” Cowell proclaimed. And with that, Crews and the panel hit the Golden Buzzer on behalf of the “fifth judge,” the America’s Got Talent audience. Cowell and his castmates then hopped onstage to congratulate Mzansi Youth Choir amid a shower of celebratory confetti, with Mandell describing their “It’s OK” performance as “the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard in my life” and Cowell telling them they had “no idea” how much this moment had meant to him.
Tuesday’s two-hour AGT Season 18 premiere featured other dramatic moments — particularly when Ukrainian acrobatic trio Three G fell three times during their harrowing routine, yet their perseverance was still rewarded for with four yeses — as well as lighter ones, like the high-energy performance by cult comedy hair-metal band Steel Panther (who really had to tone down their famously raunchy Sunset Strip shtick for this family-friendly show). But while Season 18 is only just underway, it’s difficult to imagine that there will be a moment as moving or memorable as Mzansi Youth Choir’s “It’s OK.”