"America's Got Talent" has revealed the 44 acts set to perform in Season 19's live shows, including Reid Wilson from Montgomery. This announcement comes as no surprise to anyone who witnessed Wilson's audition for the NBC reality series, which captivated all four judges, particularly Howie Mandel.
The 14-year-old singer delivered a powerful rendition of Lesley Gore's “You Don’t Own Me,” infusing the classic with a mature touch that clearly impressed the judges. Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara all praised the young talent, but Mandel went above and beyond by awarding Wilson the prestigious Golden Buzzer. This accolade grants Wilson a direct pass from the auditions to the live shows, marking the highest level of endorsement from an AGT judge.
Mandel admitted he was taken aback by Wilson’s performance, not expecting the 14-year-old to deliver such a professional and emotionally resonant rendition of “You Don’t Own Me,” reminiscent of the legendary Aretha Franklin.
“I was completely surprised,” Mandel remarked. “Here’s a 14-year-old kid from Alabama, and I imagined you’d be quite nervous, which you were. That level of nerves was unexpected. But that stage is where dreams become reality. Do you believe in dreams? Well, one of yours is about to come true.”
He then pressed the golden buzzer, sending a shower of confetti over Wilson and sparking enthusiastic applause from the audience. “Congratulations, buddy, you’re incredible,” Mandel said. “Why did I do it? Because your performance exceeded every expectation. You have immense talent. It felt like Aretha was in the room. You are outstanding.”
