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'AGT' Season 17: Oxford School shooting survivor Ava Swiss hailed as the 'next Kelly Clarkson'

'Flawless powerhouse voice Ava, touching song. #AGT,' tweeted a fan

It is no secret that music truly has the power to heal. Fans have seen it time and again on the 'America's Got Talent' stage, where people have used music to help them overcome obstacles in life, allowing themselves to shine through their talent. The likes of Avery Dixon and Amanda Mammana certainly struck a chord with the judges and audience this season and it looks like Ava Swiss was now all set to join their ranks.

Standing in front of the judges, Ava Swiss introduced herself, to which Simon Cowell noted that 'Ava Swiss' was a cool name. She explained that her full name was Ava Swieczkowski but 'Swiss' was shorter. Hailing from Oxford, Michigan, Swiss is 18 years old and a senior at Oxford High School. Swiss explained that for her act, she decided to sing 'Remember' by Lauren Daigle, because on November 30, 2021, she and her brother were present during the Oxford School shooting.

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She added that they lost four students and seven others were injured. She explained that life has been hard since then and even though she and her brother vowed to never step back into school, they've been attending the same for the past two months and things are slowly getting better. Swiss agreed with Cowell that music has been therapy for her, and allows her to remember all the good there is. Simon added that they were rooting for her, before wishing her luck.

But it looks like Swiss didn't need luck, as she wowed the judges and the audience with her voice. Howie Mandel explained that it was not easy to break through the trauma and show up, yet Swiss was here on stage and she was shining. He called it 'inspirational'. Heidi also praised her, while Sofia Vergara noted that she wasn't just singing, but showing them her feelings. Simon Cowell noted that she was 'gutsy' and that this was an audition he would never forget. The judges gave Swiss the four yeses she needed to advance forward. Fans took to Twitter to express their support as well. "Flawless powerhouse voice Ava, touching song. #AGT" tweeted a fan. "I have literally chills from this performance! Ava you are incredible and you are going to go so far <3 #AGT" added a fan. "Ava Swiss could be the next Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood. What a gorgeous voice!! #AGT" noted another. "I think a star was just born tonight on @AGT. Wow." tweeted another. "This girl has got a solid voice!! To sing like that and survive such a tragedy-girl is a survivor so more power to her!!! #AGT" said a fan. 

'America's Got Talent' airs on Tuesdays at 8 pm on NBC. For viewers who wish to tune in to the show without cable, they can do so using any of the following streaming services: Sling TV, fuboTV, Hulu With Live TV, AT&T TV or YouTube TV.

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