During Tuesday’s AGT Season 18 episode, viewers were moved to tears as Lavender Darcangelo, a blind and autistic singer, bravely shared her story and remarkable vocal talents with the world. Adopted by her father Wil after they met in a music program, Lavender’s journey to the audition was already touching.
Covering Irene Cara’s classic song “Out Here on My Own,” Lavender’s soft vocals left the judges awestruck, leading to a standing ovation from all of them. The emotional impact was so profound that Heidi Klum couldn’t help but hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Lavender directly to the Live Shows.
Lavender, a 27-year-old disability activist hailing from Fitchburg, Massachusetts, has been singing since the tender age of three, despite not speaking until four-and-a-half. Her fame grew after her rendition of “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid went viral in 2019.
Only a handful of Golden Buzzers remain in Season 18 of AGT, and Lavender’s awe-inspiring performance secured her a spot among the most exceptional talents chosen by Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Terry Crews, and a special audience Golden Buzzer for the Mzansi Youth Choir.
The judges couldn’t contain their admiration for Lavender. Simon Cowell described her performance as “sensational” and “magical,” while Sofia Vergara was so moved that she momentarily forgot her judging role and simply enjoyed Lavender’s beautiful voice. Howie Mandel praised her for not only her singing prowess but also for inspiring hope in everyone to pursue their dreams.
Touched by the judges’ support, Lavender expressed her gratitude and acknowledged AGT as the ideal platform for celebrating uniqueness. As Heidi Klum offered to be her cheerleader and accompany her to the finish line, the emotional moment reached its peak when Heidi pressed the Golden Buzzer and rushed to embrace the talented singer, sealing her place among AGT’s most unforgettable performances.
