America’s Got Talent sensation Jane Marczewski dead at 31

A singer who repeatedly wowed Simon Cowell on America’s Got Talent has died after having to withdraw from the competition.

America’s Got Talent sensation Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski has died at age 31 following a courageous public battle with cancer.

A source with direct knowledge told TMZ that the singer passed away Sunday while undergoing treatment for the disease, which had metastasised to her lungs, spine and liver.

The tragic news comes after the Ohio native, who was an early favourite to win AGT, withdrew from the competition in August amid her battle with the disease.

“Since my audition, my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention,” the singing phenom revealed in a heartbreaking announcement posted to her Instagram page. “I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of AGT.”

Stream more entertainment news live & on demand with Flash. 25+ news channels in 1 place. New to Flash? Try 14 days free now >

She wowed the judges before dropping out of the show.

Simon Cowell was a big fan.

Marczewski added, “Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it — but we knew that already.”

A month before, the singer performed a jaw-dropping AGT audition, in which she sang an original song, It’s OK, which is based on her struggles with the disease. The performance earned her a standing ovation from the crowd and a Golden Buzzer from curmudgeonly judge Simon Cowell. A video of the performance boasts nearly 40 million views on YouTube:

Marczewski was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, which would be the first of her three recurring cancer diagnoses, culminating in 2019, when a doctor informed her that she had just three months to live. However, Nightbirde refused to let the disease define her: “It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me,” she said before her performance.

Jane's final Instagram post, five weeks before her death.

She also said after the performance that she had a 2% chance of survival — “but 2% is not zero percent,” she said.

In what was to be her final Instagram post, shared five weeks ago, the singer posted a photo of herself looking frail and wrote “Honestly, things have been pretty brutal. But this is a photo of myself from last week where I felt pretty, and alive, and awake, and human, and real. I needed that. We’re all a little lost and it’s alright.”

Despite her battles with the disease, the vocal sensation said she was grateful for her run on AGT.

The judges and host at AGT have paid tribute today.

“Sharing my heart with the world on AGT has been an honour and a dream come true,” the star wrote on IG. “My point of view this summer has been astounding. What a miracle that the pain I’ve walked through can be reworked into beauty that makes people all over the world open their eyes wider.”

AGT judge Howie Mandel mourned Nightbirde’s passing in a Monday tweet, calling her “a bright inspirational light in all our lives..”

“We must continue to live and learn from her words and lyrics. As much as I feel horribly about her passing I feel lucky to have met, heard and known her.”

Host Terry Crews also shared his condolences.

“Our Condolences goes to her Closest Family & Friends in such of This difficult time. We Love you, Nightbirde,” he wrote.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.