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'AGT' Season 19: Watch as fans react to Alex Sampson's audition

'AGT' Season 19 contestant Alex Sampson performs his original song 'Pretty Baby' during audition

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: During the most recent episode of 'America's Got Talent' Season 19, all eyes were on Canadian vocalist Alex Sampson as he graced the stage with a captivating performance of his own composition, titled 'Pretty Baby'.

When Alex first introduced himself, he struggled to find the right words, but once he stepped behind the microphone, his confidence soared. His singing style evokes the nostalgic sounds of the 1950s and 60s, transporting listeners back to a bygone era of music.

However, it appears that the viewers of NBC's hit show were underwhelmed by the singing abilities of the 20-year-old artist, and they took to social media to voice their disappointment.

An X user said, "This guy was so nervous, he da da da.da’d through half of the song (forgot the lyrics) and his voice wasn’t all that great but yea!!! He passed."

Another user chimed in, "Whiny crooner IMO."

A third user went on to say, "He’s hot as f*** but.. this is boring and nothing special."

Followed by a fourth user who penned, "If he was a better singer and song writer he would be a pretty solid singer songwriter. Didn't love it."

A user went on to say, "It was boring imo. Almost fell asleep. And I just woke up from a nap."

Another person said, "Jesus, this is why we never watch #AGT, telling someone they sound like the lead singer of Herman's Hermits, when they absolutely do not & will be horrified when they look up songs, is a pretty awful thing for anyone to do, especially a judge. He just wrote a retro sounding song!"

'AGT' Season 19 judge Sofia Vergara calls Alex Sampson's voice 'beautiful'

When prompted to provide a critique of Alex's performance, Sofia Vergara commended his voice as "beautiful," meanwhile Heidi Klum noted that although she could detect nerves in his delivery, it added an element of authenticity to his performance.

Howie Mandel was quick to praise Alex for his distinctive sound, noting that nobody else was currently producing music like his.

Simon Cowell praised Alex for choosing to embrace his retro voice and stated that he believed it was a wise decision for him to pursue that musical direction.

All four judges unanimously agreed to advance Alex to the next round of the NBC show, granting him a yes from each of them. This exciting milestone marks a significant step forward in his journey on the competition.

Who is Alex Sampson on 'AGT' Season 19?

Alex Sampson, a talented 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Canada, has gained recognition for his popular songs such as 'All That We Could Have Been', 'Play Pretend', and 'BLIND.'

Known for his strong faith, Alex released his debut EP 'Blurry Vision' on January 19, 2024, showcasing his musical prowess and heartfelt lyrics. As an emerging internet sensation, he captivates listeners with his energetic pop-punk sound and introspective lyrics, making a lasting impression with his debut project.

His EP features a selection of tracks spanning the last four years of Alex's music career. After sifting through a vast catalog of a hundred songs, Alex and his team carefully handpicked their top choices before collectively deciding on the final tracklist.

The EP includes a track called 'Play Pretend', which is the oldest song on the record and happens to be Alex's most popular track. This song was actually written over a Zoom call during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

While discussing the song 'Girl Who Cried Love', Alex noted that it has a similar vibe to music by Conan Gray. It's worth noting that Alex almost became a member of not just one, but three different boy bands in the past.

Drawing influence from popular musicians such as Conan Gray, 5 Seconds of Summer, and One Direction, Alex has crafted a sound that is both reminiscent of the past and distinctly his own. His genuine passion for music is evident in every note he sings.

'AGT' Season 19 contestant Alex Sampson rose to fame on TikTok

Alex initially worked at a grocery store doing manual labor before transitioning to creating music in his bedroom and sharing cover songs on TikTok. He gained a substantial following on the platform before encountering issues with shadowbanning.

Alex had to create a new TikTok account after facing shadowban issues. Luckily, one of his early videos on the new account became popular, helping him gain a supportive fan base. Initially starting TikTok as a joke, Alex eventually gained momentum by showcasing his singing talent and built a following that followed him to Instagram and Spotify, where he released his first song.

One of his music videos, 'All That We Could Have Been', has accumulated around 15 million views on YouTube and was shot in Atikokan.

In 2019, Alex was given a significant opportunity after a photographer from Los Angeles found one of his Instagram videos. This resulted in Alex and his father being asked to come to California for photoshoots and recording sessions. As a result, three music videos were filmed in Atikokan.

In 2020, he made a big move towards his career as a touring singer-songwriter by signing a contract with Sony/ATV, the biggest music publishing company globally. This collaboration will help him develop as a songwriter through organizing sessions and marketing his music.

'America's Got Talent' Season 19 releases new episode every Tuesday at 8 pm ET on NBC.