During the first live quarterfinals on Wednesday, the judges ofAGTcelebrated former contestant Jane Marczewski, who performs under the nameNightbirdeand returned virtually for a surprise appearance.
The 30-year-old singer earned a Golden Buzzer fromSimon Cowellduring her season 16 audition butexited the showlast week, telling fans that she would no longer be able to compete due to her ongoing battle with cancer.
On the latest episode ofAGT, Cowell, 61, commended Marczewski for prioritizing her health.
“You made the decision, rightly so, that your health is your priority right now. And I know the last time we spoke you actually said you feel like you let people down. Well, I just want to say, on behalf of all of us, you haven’t let anyone down,” he told the singer. “Even though you haven’t competed, you have already won.”
Nightbirde.Trae Patton/NBC
Cowell, getting more emotional as he spoke, went on to mention how her golden buzzer performance hasgone viral on social media, racking up over 31 million views and receiving praise for Marczewski’s inspiring story.
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“Your clip had such an impact on so many people, and your courage and who you are,” Cowell added before getting choked up. “The most important thing is your wellbeing and your health and your recovery. On behalf of all of us here, we send our love, our prayers. We can’t wait to see you again soon.”
Marczewski then thanked the judges for their support throughout her brief journey on the show, noting that the experience “restored” her “faith in humanity.”
“This is, I mean, the most beautiful thing that’s ever happened to me in my life,” she concluded.
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“I pushed my Golden Buzzer for Nightbirde because everything about her audition was really special. Her voice was absolutely stunning and performing her original song ‘It’s OK’ after she told us what she was going through with her cancer, it really moved me. This was a very, very special moment,” the executive producer recalled, noting that he was “absolutely mesmerized.”
“Every year we meet the most extraordinary people on this show. She’s an amazing person with an incredible talent and she’s truly an inspiration,” Cowell told PEOPLE.
America’s Got Talentairs Tuesdays (8 p.m. ET) on NBC.
source: people.com
