Tearful Simon Cowell breaks down over former contestant’s death

America’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell broke down in tears during this week’s show, emotional over the death of a “special” person.

A touching tribute for a late America’s Got Talent contestant scored the Soweto’s Mzansi Youth Choir a historic Golden Buzzer during this week’s US season premiere of the reality competition show.

The youth choir performed It’s OK, an original ballad written by Nightbirde, the late singer-songwriter who performed on AGT and died of cancer in 2022.

“When we heard Nightbirde singing this song on this stage, we were very inspired and touched by her story, so we decided to record the song,” one of the choir members said on the show. “To our surprise, she responded so beautifully. This song that been such a pillar of strength for us as a choir through difficult times. We just want [to] continue her legacy.”

The Mzansi Youth Choir perform on America's Got Talent.

The Mzansi Youth Choir’s performance wowed the panel, bringing all four of the celebrity judges and the audience to their feet in a standing ovation.

“What a wonderful tribute to a beautiful person,” host Terry Crews said.

Nightbirde, whose real name is Jane Marczewski, competed on the show in 2021 but had to leave the competition to continue her cancer treatment.

Simon had tears in his eyes.

“I know how much this would’ve meant to her.”

Judge Heidi Klum took a moment to explain the song’s significance to the live audience: “For anyone who doesn’t know, we lost a very, very special person from our AGT family,” she said. “It has a very special meaning in my heart. It was really beautiful. Thank you.”

Sofia Vergara praised their performance, saying it was the “perfect AGT audition.”

Former America's Got Talent contestant Nightbirde.

Most surprisingly, Simon Cowell was moved by their performance to the point of tears, saying, “This brought back so many memories for me. I know how much this would have meant to her.”

He continued, “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.”

The audience then began chanting for a Golden Buzzer, and the judges sent the Mzansi Youth Choir straight to the live rounds.

“This is for you, this is for [the audience], this is for Jane,” Cowell said, before Crews joined the judges to hit the Golden Buzzer.

This is the first time the judges have given a Golden Buzzer on the audience’s behalf.

This story originally appeared on Decider and is republished here with permission

Originally published as Tearful Simon Cowell breaks down over former contestant’s death