Simon Cowell invited the little girl over.
He just walked to get a drink in between performances. Simon’s usual practice was to skip the part where audience members could briefly demonstrate their vocal abilities.
However, as soon as he returned, the audience began to applaud a small child who was singing so passionately that even Howie turned around to look.
Madison Taylor Baez is an 11-year-old girl. Madison has always been a fan of the show and has always wanted to audition because she is confident in her abilities.
Simon calls her forward immediately after the introductions and asks her to sing again, this time on stage.
As Maddie walked up to the stage, the entire audience, including Maddie’s father, clapped and cheered for her.
According to Judge Howie Mandel, this occurs during commercial breaks.
When he turned around and heard Madison singing, he was the first to notice her, and he immediately informed the other judges, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum.
Amazing Grace was performed by Maddie for the audience in a stunning a cappella rendition.
Simon came back, his face looking both curious and shocked at what he was hearing.
On stage, the same song is performed.
“We do ask people to sing a song during the breaks, and I was literally just walking back in when I heard this voice, wondering, ‘Who the heck is that?'” Cowell stated. “Then I notice this small figure in the crowd, and it’s you,” he explained.
Maddie has been to several shows since she was four years old, and she always tries to sing during the commercial breaks.
“Being on the show has always been one of my greatest ambitions. And I’ve finally arrived!”
Simon encouraged Baez to sing after she had calmed down because she was obviously nervous.
Everyone was taken aback by Maddie’s powerful voice, which seemed out of proportion to her petite frame. That voice could not possibly belong to an eleven-year-old child!
That is singing to the heavens!
Maddie pauses after a few words as host Terry Crews and the now-standing audience applaud her.
Simon beams with delight and motions for her to continue singing. Baez agrees before launching into yet another incredible display of strength, tone, and control.
This little lady is amazing!
“I’m not kidding. This has never happened in all of the years we’ve done this. This is the polar opposite of how I usually behave, leaving at the break while others sing. In fact, it drew me back in,” Cowell explained.
What would Maddie do if she won?
Maddie wishes to assist her father, who is suffering from stage four colon cancer and has been ill for nine years.
Simon requests a vote, but as soon as he looks at Howie, the audience begins chanting, “Golden buzzer!”
Mandel smiles, stands up, and presses the Golden Buzzer, causing golden confetti to rain down on Maddie, who is now sobbing in disbelief.
Her dad is on stage thanking Howie and saying that his daughter always sang to him when he was in the hospital or getting chemo. He was able to battle better and get it through thanks to Maddie’s singing.
We have high hopes for Maddie’s career, and we can’t wait to see her progress.
Watch Maddie’s Golden Buzzer performance in the video below!
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