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Prince wrote a singer an original song. Her performance left 'AGT' judges astounded.

“If Prince and Janis Joplin had a baby = Liv Warfield!”

Flickr/Wikipedia, America's Got Talent/YouTube

Prince would be so proud.

When the 2024 Summer Olympics ended, few knew we weren't quite done marveling at elite-level humans at the top of their game. America’s Got Talent returned from its two week hiatus in August 2024 with eleven incredible acts, but it was R&B singer Liv Warfield who stole the show with her rendition of “The Unexpected,” a song that just so happened to be written specifically for her by Prince. No big deal.

Warfield had already wowed audiences with her initial audition, which earned a Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell. But this next performance had Cowell saying, “If this was the Olympics for singing, you would have won the gold medal.”

 simon cowell, america's got talent, golden buzzer Simon Cowell gave Liv Warfield the Golden Buzzer at her initial audition.  Giphy GIF by America's Got Talent 

Judges Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel echoed similar praises. Vergara called Warfield’s set “perfection,” while Mandel, a self-proclaimed Prince fan, told Warfield that "The Purple One knew what he was doing when he gave you this gem. That was a million-dollar performance.”

And it’s not hard to see why Warfield got such high remarks. Beyond her unbelievable vocals was her undeniable star power and ability to transport us all back in time to the days of 70s rock n’ roll.

As one viewer put it, “If Prince and Janis Joplin had a baby = Liv Warfield!”

Just watch:

  - YouTube  www.youtube.com  

 

Warfield’s connection to Prince began in 2009, when she joined his New Power Generation band. Though she noted that “backing up Prince was a dream,” not to mention the fact that she’s already made several chart topping achievements on her own, she still felt like her ultimate potential had yet to be reached, hence her AGT audition. Now, her quarterfinal performance has made Cowell declare another defining moment in her career.

“It felt to me like all those years you’ve been climbing the ladder to where you want to be, it all came out in those three minutes,” he said.

Indeed, what a testament to the power of steadily going after your dreams. Raw talent is great, but even with God-given gifts, there’s still so much work that goes into being ready for big opportunities. Though she didn't win the competition in the end, Warfield is already a winner through and through.

Warfield is continuing on her musical path in her hometown of Chicago and was invited to perform the Star-Spangled Banner at a Chicago Cubs baseball game in May of 2025.

@livwarfield

Thank you @cubs for inviting me out to sing. ✨Beautiful Day, Beautiful People,Energy at @cubs game! With my @zinzannichicago Family❤️✨. Although sis, was hiding out like the 🦀 that I am. 😂😂🤘🏾 Love y’all! Yesterday was necessary 🫀. PR Queen @aidanhenri 😘✨🫶🏾 @princenolov3 😘

 

Her Prince roots are alive and well in her stage performances as she performs in a tribute concert series during the summer of 2025. She also has multiple albums under her belt, beginning with "Embrace Me" in 2006 and continuing through her 2023 album "The Edge."

Warfield has credited Prince with her musical development, telling NPR in 2014:

"He's influenced me first and foremost, as a performer. Just kind of like taking chances first. It took me a while. Like I thought I was a good performer, but when I got part of the New Power Generation, I was like, 'Whoa this is a whole new world for me.' And even in the writing and arranging, and him just teaching me how to really listen to the music. Listen to every instrument, give space, and I wasn't really thinking about those things. I just wanted to hear everything. I thought, 'If everybody plays, it's good.' ... Sometimes it could sound like noise, but he just really kind of developed my ear."

 prince, liv warfield, music legends Prince is a legend among musicians.  Giphy GIF by Coolidge Corner Theatre 

Just more proof that musical legends live on not only in the music they leave behind but in the talent they help nurture and develop.

This article originally appeared last year.

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Watch dancers with 'insane core strength' appear to float in mid-air for iconic AGT audition

Instant AGT legends.

America's Got Talent/YouTube

Sofia Vergara's jaw dropping while watching dance audition

"America's Got Talent" auditions have given us all manner of dance performances, from expressive individuals to impressive group numbers that got the judges praising and the audience roaring. But AIRFOOTWORKS' gravity-defying, core-busting dance routine, performed in 2024, is one that will surely go down as one of the greatest dance performances in AGT history.

As the music began, no one knew what the apparatus made of poles and bars surrounding the dancers was for. But it soon became apparent that they would use it to lift themselves off the ground. What started with a simple pull-up, however, turned into an incredible synchronized dance to Justin Bieber's "Where Are U Now" in which the dancers synchronized their movements without their feet even touching the ground.

Watch:

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

The dancers, who hail from Japan, were mentored by Kenichi Eniba, who won AGT Season 8 in 2013. Their performance earned them a standing ovation from all four judges and the audience.

"Everything about the performance was perfect," said judge Sofia Vergara.

"It was so creative and so different—and so difficult, by the way," said judge Simon Cowell. "So you have a great mentor. However, even if you've got a great mentor, you've still got to be able to do what your mentor helps you to do. And you did it immaculately."

People in the comments were equally blown away.

"How do people find out they have talents like this??? 😭✋🏼🔥"

"My toxic trait is thinking I can do this without any difficulty 😅."

"Insane core strength."

"OBSESSED with this audition."

"What kind of core strength is this... flawless,🔥💯🔥"

Many people were disappointed that none of the judges hit the Golden Buzzer.

"Why no Golden Buzzer?!?!?! If I've seen any act more deserving of it, I can't recall. These guys were AWESOME!!!!!!!"

"Did they run out of golden buzzers? This is worthy."

"THEY DESERVED THE GOLDEN BUZZER!"

"This performance absolutely deserved a golden buzzer. It was just spectacular."

"Can only assume all the judges were so enthralled and mesmerized by this performance they forgot there was a golden buzzer."

AIRFOOTWORKS would end up making it all the way to the show's finale, where the group performed to an EDM mix by Steve Aoki. While they didn't receive enough votes to win the entire competition, they have certainly earned AGT royalty status.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

For more talent auditions, you can follow America's Got Talent on YouTube and TikTok.

This article originally appeared last year.

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Joy

Brazilian dancer stuns viewers with an unbelievably fluid robot routine

Nope, this isn't AI.

Maikon Alves | Instagram

Some people have such amazing control of their bodies

Meet Maikon Alves, a dancer from Brazil turns heads on social media with moves so fluid and robotic that people around question if he's human.

In one particularly viral video, Alves dances to "Boom Boom Pow" by the Black Eyed Peas—to say his moves are impressive would be an understatement. Alves pops his chest to the beat while slowly stepping in place making it look like he's gliding from move to move. Some movements are crisp and sharp like a robot while others are so fluid it's nearly unbelievable that it could be coming from a human.

While the man's moves do look slightly out of this world, he is indeed a real person, or at least he appears to be in other videos on his page.

Comments ranged between being in awe of his abilities and questioning if he was human.

"Loved. I like how everything is in sync - from the music to the moves to face expressions. 👏👏👏 and your cool personal style," one person writes.

"Doesn’t even look real it’s that good..!! Love this," someone says.

"You will be the dance instructor for the children of our AI overlords someday," a commenter thinks.

"Nah, this is God-level pop-locking," someone compliments.

Even Nicole Scherzinger, actress, singer and former member of the pop group and dance ensemble, Pussycat Dolls gave Alves praise saying, "you are a legend!"

Alves' uncanny robot dance even made its way to season 19 of America's Got Talent. His audition routine included pretending to play the Violin and a fun moonwalk to robotic themed music.

Gotta hand it to folks like Alves, who remind us all what amazing feats the human body is capable of, and how dance can instantly spark joy. Whether you're the one performing the moves or not.

To catch even more of his nifty routines, follow Alves on Instagram.

This article originally appeared last year.

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14-year-old Alabama boy's soulful cover of 'You Don't Own Me' is seriously one for the ages

It's safe to say no one expected that kind of voice to come out of a boy from Alabama still in braces.

America's Got Talent/YouTube

Reid Thomas Wilson getting showered with gold confetti on America's Got Talent

Ever since American Idol gave us the one-and-only Kelly Clarkson in its first season, modern talent competitions have become a staple of television viewing. We've seen so many incredible performers come through shows like "American Idol," "The Voice," and the "Got Talent" series, but there are still some singers who manage to surprise and delight audiences with their powerful, unique voices.

For instance, 14-year-old Reid Thomas Wilson. Reid performed Lesley Gore's 1963 hit "You Don't Own Me" on "America's Got Talent" back in 2024, and it's safe to say no one expected the voice that came out of a boy from Alabama who's still in braces.

Gore herself was only 17 when she released "You Don't Own Me," and the song has been covered by artists such as Dusty Springfield, Joan Jett, and Ann Wilson over the decades, but it's never sounded quite like this. It's no wonder Howie Mandel smashed that Golden Buzzer button, rocketing Reid to the live show round of the competition.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

"Well, Reid, we weren't expecting that," said judge Simon Cowell. "You know, I shut my eyes for a moment when you were singing, just to listen to your voice, and then I opened them again and there's this sweet young kid." Howie Mandel concurred. "I was bowled over because I was surprised…first of all, you're just a 14-year-old kid from Alabama, so I would imagine—I put myself in your position—you were very nervous. And you did come off incredibly nervous, that was a surprise."

As the judges and Reid's mother pointed out, Reid was very nervous at the beginning of the audition, but he ultimately knocked it out of the park.

When Cowell asked what singer he draws inspiration from, Reid said singing legend Aretha Franklin. "Your parents must have great taste in music," said Cowell, to which Reid simply and hilariously responded, "No." Speaking of Aretha Franklin, Reid has had some experience with virality on social media for some of his at-home singing videos, including one where he sings Franklin's "Aint' No Way."

 
 @nola_royal_queenie Oh my my the vocals on this young soul. 🫶🏽💓 Song: Aint No Way by Aretha Franklin- Cover Sung By: 13 year old Reid Wilson #talentedkids #arethafranklin #reidwilson #NolaRoyalQueenie #coversongsontiktok ♬ original sound - Nola Royal Queenie 
 
 

Broadway great Lea Salonga commented on the video, "What on earth????? This kid is incredible!!!!!!!!" Another video in which Reid sang part of "The Impossible Dream" prompted a wave of big-name comments as well, such as Kristin Chenoweth telling him he should audition for her Broadway Boot Camp and Boy George commenting, "Write songs. Your voice deserves new songs."

People on TikTok, following AGT's coverage of Reid's audition, had nothing but praise for the young singer.

"The longer he sang,the better he got!"

"His voice is very transatlantic vintage, and it's AMAZING"

"Amazing voice control. This kid is going places!"

"You could see Simon listening closely and I love it when he does that. He’s picturing success I think."

"His clarity and control at 14 years old HOLY HECK!! he deserves that golden buzzer 😭"

Reid apparently comes from a talented family. His brother, Ryley Tate Wilson, was a competitor on "The Voice" in 2023 at age 16, making it to the semi-finals before being eliminated.

Reid would go on to perform an equally stunning rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" for the AGT semi-final, which prompted Mandel to praise him for his "pure and beautiful voice.

- YouTubewww.youtube.com

And while Reid didn't move past this round on AGT, his music career has persisted. He and Ryley currently have a lovely single available on Spotify.

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