Gabriel Henrique on ‘America’s Got Talent’.Photo:Trae Patton/NBC
Trae Patton/NBC
Sofía Vergarahas finally found her Golden Buzzer act for season 18!
During Tuesday’s episode ofAmerica’s Got Talent, Sofía hit her Golden Buzzer for Brazilian singer Gabriel Henrique, who sang a powerhouse rendition of Whitney Houston’s “Run to You.”
“I don’t have words. That was so perfect, spectacular,” Sofía, 51, told Gabriel before hitting her buzzer. “Your voice is beautiful, your energy, who you are, it was perfect.”
He adds of Sofía, “It is a very big challenge to meet the expectations of someone who believed in my talent, but I hope to live up to her expectations.”
Gabriel Henrique on ‘America’s Got Talent’.Trae Patton/NBC
At the start of his audition, the 27-year-old explained that he was visiting the United States from Brazil for the very first time and didn’t speak English very well. Because of this, he had a translator on stage with him.
“It’s my first time here in the United States and I’m just realizing a dream to be here, to sing for you guys here,” Gabriel said through his English translator.
After his impressive performance, which had everyone in the room on their feet, all four judges — Sofía,Simon Cowell,Heidi KlumandHowie Mandel— praised his vocals.
Howie admitted he “did not expect that voice to come out” of Gabriel, but noted he sounds like “the best and finest pop diva there ever was.”
Simon was in agreement, telling the Brazilian singer: “People are gonna really like you… I can tell that you’ve sang in church and you don’t know how good you are. It was amazing.”
Then it was Sofía’s turn to share her thoughts, and she explained that Gabriel delivered the moment she had been hoping for all season.
Sofía Vergara on ‘America’s Got Talent’.Trae Patton/NBC
“You are here every time as a judge, waiting for that feeling, and that is what I was waiting for,” she explained of wanting to hit her Golden Buzzer. “Something very beautiful and very heartfelt.”
“I think its time to vote… But you know what I really want to do?” she asked before hitting her buzzer. “This!”
Gabriel was shocked and overcome with emotion on stage as he hugged his translator, and later Sofía, with tears in his eyes. “I can’t believe it!” he said.
“How spectacular!” Sofía told him. “You had us dying over here!”
Speaking to PEOPLE about the comparisons he received to Houston and Carey, Gabriel says: “For me it was the greatest honor anyone could tell me because Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey are my biggest inspirations in singing since my childhood.”
As for his future onAGTand beyond, Gabriel says he hopes to move to America permanently.
“I know that God has something special for me and certainly a career in America would be a dream come true,” he shares. “My biggest dream is to be recognized in the music industry for my voice and meet Mariah Carey. I’m working, striving and giving my best to be a winner!”
Gabriel is the last act to earn one of the four judges' Golden Buzzer this season.
Previously, blind singerLavender DarcangeloearnedHeidi Klum’s Golden Buzzer, dance groupMurmurationearnedHowie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer, blind singerPutri ArianiearnedSimon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer, Atlanta Drum Academy earned hostTerry Crews' Golden Buzzer, andMzansi Youth Choir, a group of singers from South Africa, earned the show’s first-ever Audience Golden Buzzer after performing a touching tribute to lateAGTseason 16 singerNightbirde.
The judges have not yet given out their Group Golden Buzzer.
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America’s Got Talentairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
source: people.com
