It didn’t take long for Simon Cowell to recognize that Lai Noelle would be a standout act on “America’s Got Talent” this season.
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“Within about 20 seconds, we realized this is somebody truly, truly special,” Cowell told a group of reporters this past Monday, just a day before the Season 21 premiere of “America’s Got Talent” would introduce viewers to the 14-year-old powerhouse singer from Texas.
Noelle’s audition with Sienna Spiro’s “Die on This Hill” quickly won over all four “AGT” judges and already has over 1 million views on the show’s official YouTube channel alone.
Here’s a look at her audition — and what Cowell, the creator of “AGT” and a longtime judge on the show, had to say about the young singer.
Lai Noelle gets golden buzzer from Simon Cowell during ‘AGT’ audition
Noelle was visibly nervous and somewhat timid as she stepped onto the “AGT” stage to talk to the judges. But when it came time to sing, she did a complete 180.
The “AGT” judges and audience appeared shocked as they heard the young singer belt out strong, mature vocals that belied her age.
As the teenager performed, judge Sofia Vergara expressed an interest in pushing her golden buzzer. But Cowell ended up beating her to it.
“Words aren’t necessary,” Cowell said as he pushed his golden buzzer following the performance.
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As gold confetti swirled around Noelle, Cowell leaned in toward Vergara: “This girl is amazing,” he said.
Ahead of Noelle’s audition airing, Cowell spoke with reporters and had high praise for the singer.
“I thought every part of that audition was about as good as you’re gonna get,” he said during a virtual press conference. “And bearing in mind how young she is. I mean, that voice … it reminded me when I very, very first did ‘Idol’ (’American Idol’) years ago, we used to get those singers with those big voices. She reminded me of those days — very, very rare to find someone like that today.
“There was a moment where I thought, ‘Is that actually you singing?’ he continued. ”I mean, she really, really is up there. One of the best.”
The best part of ‘AGT,’ according to Simon Cowell
Even as “America’s Got Talent” is in its 21st season, the thrill of a surprising and successful audition like Noelle’s doesn’t get old for Cowell.
A show like “AGT,” he said, can act as a sort of career launchpad.
“I genuinely believe that these shows, they have to have a purpose,” he said. “It puts you on the ladder, so to speak. So if you do a great audition or a great live show performance … I’ve seen it happen so many times now, a massive, massive knockout effect in terms of their careers, their lives, their confidence. That’s one of the best parts of doing the job.
“If that didn’t happen, I promise you I wouldn’t do shows,” he added. “That moment where you can sit there and go, ‘Wow, I was there on their first audition, and I’ve got a feeling great things are going to happen,’ I really still get a buzz out of that.”