“America’s Got Talent” returned Tuesday with another round of auditions full of singers with stories that will have you wiping away tears.
One of these auditions came from Wyn Starks, who said he used to work in hospitality at a hotel before he was laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Now, he’s stepping up to sing for “AGT” judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara and Heidi Klum (not Howie Mandel, who was out sick), because fear stopped him “for too long” from pursuing his dream.
Starks sang his original song “Who I Am,” which he said was one of his twin brother’s favorites before he recently died.
“It’s been really hard,” he said. “He was one of my biggest supporters. To be here means everything to me, and I’m doing this for him.”
Starks then launched into a performance that practically reduced Vergara to a puddle of tears. The judge shared that she knows the pain of losing a sibling.
“That was amazing. I am so sorry for your loss,” she said. “I cannot even imagine what it is to lose a twin.”
Cowell remarked that he and his fellow judges get to meet “the most incredible people on this show.”
“You’re brilliant, Wyn, and we all saw for obvious reasons how emotional you were,” he said. “That song, it was extraordinary… I think it was the perfect tribute to your brother.”
Starks earned a “yes” from all three judges.
Ben Waites stuns with ‘True Colors’; kids acapella group gives tribute to member who died at age 15
That wasn’t the only moving singing audition.
Vocal coach Ben Waites also brought Vergara to tears while singing Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors.”
“The message of the song I feel is able to speak to people no matter their age, their race, their background,” he said. “It’s able to communicate a message of hope.”
Klum noticed Vergara was “bawling her eyes out” after the song. And Vergara “does not cry,” Cowell added.
“You went into another gear at the end (of the song),” Cowell continued. “This is just a great audition.”
Acapop! KIDS, a children’s acapella group, also gave a powerful performance with their tribute to their group member Nolan, who recently died at age 15.
According to his mother, Nolan had a “great summer day” before he was later found dead. His mother said his death was considered a “sudden unexplained death.”
“He would be thrilled that they would be doing his song,” his mother added.
