See Simon Cowell Cry As Choir Sings Nightbirde’s Song On ‘AGT’

Season 18 of America’s Got Talent got off to an emotional start Tuesday night as one group of hopefuls paid tribute to a beloved past contestant with an audition that Simon Cowell called “breathtaking.”

Two years after Jane “Nightbirde” Marczewski took the AGT stage to sing her original song, “It’s OK,” and over a year after the 31-year-old lost her battle with cancer, South Africa’s Mzansi Youth Choir performed the powerful song, prompting tears from the veteran talent judge, a standing ovation from the audience and a Golden Buzzer-moment like none before.

The 17-member choir harmonized, traded lead vocals and choreographed a stunning performance.

“When we heard Nightbirde sing the song on this stage, we were so very inspired and touched by her story that we decided to record the song,” one singer explained after they finished. “This song has been such a pillar of strength for us as a choir through difficult times. We just wanted to continue her legacy. That’s why we chose the song.”

Cowell seemed as touched as he was impressed.

“Beautiful,” he said as his eyes welled with tears. “This brought back so many memories for me. Gosh, it was… This is hard.”

Nightbirde was an early favorite in Season 16, and she, too, inspired tears from Cowell with her audition. But due to her health, she was forced to withdraw from the competition before the quarterfinals. She died in February of 2022.

“I know how much this would have meant to her,” Cowell told the Mzansi Youth Choir. “Right until the end she was so passionate about sharing her music. This has gone all over the world, and you come back here with the most amazing tribute. It was just breathtaking, honestly.”

Fellow judge Howie Mandel told the group, “You deserve so much more than a ‘yes’ and to be here. You deserve a ‘thank you.’”

And it seemed apparent that they also deserved the Golden Buzzer, which would send them straight to the live shows. But which judge would give it to them?

Cowell decided, for the first time in the show’s history, to turn the choice over to the audience, which host Terry Crews dubbed “the fifth judge.” When the crowed roared their approval, Cowell, Mandel, Crews and judges Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum all put their hands over the buzzer.

“This is for you,” Cowell shouted to the choir. Then turning to the audience he said, “This for you.” And finally, as they all pressed down on the buzzer, he added, “This is for Jane.”