Win or lose, Lavender Darcangelo has made her mark on “America’s Got Talent” with her heart.
The soulful vocalist, who earned judge Heidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer earlier this season, moved Klum and judges Simon Cowell, Sofía Vergara and Howie Mandel during the finale performance round Tuesday night with her emotional rendition of “You Will Be Found” from the Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen.”
Talent aside, Mandel applauded Darcangelo – who is blind and autistic – for her resilience.
“You’re so much more than a contestant on this show,” Mandel said. “You just taught the world and yourself that happiness, success and just being productive in life is a choice, no matter what the barriers are.”
He added: “Our hearts are just bursting for everything you do, everything you say. You have to stay in everybody’s life.”
Klum echoed Mandel’s praise of Darcangelo. “I am so very proud of you,” she said. “No matter what happens tomorrow, you know that you’ll always have me – forever.”
Here’s what else went down on Tuesday’s episode.
Simon Cowell raves over ‘edgy’ text-to-speech comedian Ahren Belisle
Ahren Belisle has found the light in dark comedy.
Belisle charmed the judges with his signature self-deprecating humor. The comedian, who is mute due to having cerebral palsy, delivers his standup comedy with the assistance of the text-to-speech function on his phone.
Belisle’s set featured biting jokes that poked fun at “AGT” contestant