'AGT' Season 19: Watch Howie Mandel go nuts for 14-year-old Alabama singer
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: A 14-year-old teenager hailing from the state of Alabama left the judges on 'America's Got Talent' Season 19 completely impressed when he confidently took the stage and belted out a beloved 1960's hit, 'You Don't Own Me.' His performance was so captivating that it had the judges in awe and left the audience mesmerized.
Howie Mandel was completely taken aback and astonished by Reid's performance, which was characterized by a stunning vibrato and a captivating blend of deep, sultry tones and electrifying high pitches.
Simon Cowell expressed surprise at Reid's performance, stating that he did not anticipate such a remarkable talent coming from someone so young. During the course of the performance, Simon described how he found himself closing his eyes momentarily, only to reopen them and be greeted by a charming and talented young performer.
The young contestant confessed that his inspiration for his performance came from none other than the legendary Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.
Soon after, Howie told Reid,“That was a surprise, and you know what? That stage is where dreams come true. Do you believe in dreams?”
Reid claimed that he had achieved the feat, prompting Mandel to stand up from his seat and make his way over to the Golden Buzzer.
“Well, one is about to come to you,”Howie added.
Reid was left in awe when a cascade of golden confetti rained down on him, causing tears to well up in his eyes as he was joined on stage by his mother, Crews, and Mandel. Overwhelmed by the presence of such esteemed individuals, Reid admitted to feeling starstruck but expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the judges, particularly Howie, for playing a pivotal role in turning his dreams into reality.
"Why did I do it? I did it because everything, the sound and who you are, is nothing close to anything I was expecting. You're a big talent. Aretha was in the room," Howie told Reid.
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Reid Wilson performs 'You Don't Own Me' during 'AGT' audition
Reid Wilson was able to captivate judges with his powerful performance of Lesley Gore's 1963 hit 'You Don't Own Me.' The song's lyrics, which assert a woman's independence and refusal to be controlled by a man, became a symbol of women's rights and feminism by challenging the idea that men could own or control their female partners.
Lesley Gore, known for her hit 'It's My Party,' recorded 'You Don't Own Me' at the age of 17 before it was released as a single and included on her album Lesley Gore Sings of Mixed-Up Hearts.
The song achieved gold, platinum, and multi-platinum certifications worldwide and has been covered by various well-known artists such as Kristen Chenoweth, Christina Aguilera, Joan Jett, Dusty Springfield, Bette Midler, Diane Keaton, and Goldie Hawn for the movie 'The First Wives Club' in 1996.
In 2014, Gore collaborated with several celebrities to create a P.S.A. urging women to vote in the midterm elections to protect their rights over their bodies. The P.S.A. featured famous figures like Lena Dunham and Natasha Lyonne lip-syncing to 'You Don't Own Me', according to by Entertainment Weekly.
Gore passed away from lung cancer the next year.
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Reid Wilson impresses host Terry Crews with his southern charm
Reid, a young man with endearing southern charm, made a memorable impression on 'AGT' Host Terry Crews when they first met backstage. Dressed in a cozy turtleneck sweater and sporting braces, Reid humbly shared that despite having only performed for intimate family gatherings, he was eager to showcase his musical talents on a larger platform.
“When I was little, I would just run around the house screaming at the top of my lungs. I was not good at all. I just kind of started teaching myself from there," he shared with the producers.
In a conversation with judge Simon Cowell, Reid revealed that he had only recently become dedicated to pursuing singing seriously, with aspirations of becoming the next superstar on 'AGT'. He expressed his desire to break free from the feeling of being overlooked as a middle child at home, hoping that his talent would help him stand out and be remembered.
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Reid Wilson is a big fan of Jennifer Hudson
Reid Wilson gained popularity on social media with singing videos featuring his brother Ryley Wilson. Their viral TikTok videos grabbed the attention of Jennifer Hudson, leading to Reid's dream come true of meeting his idol on 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' in November 2023.
At just 14 years old, Reid made his television debut performing Aretha Franklin's 'Ain't No Way' with his brother on piano.
"I'm your biggest fan probably in the world. I listen to your music like every single day when I make my bed [or] when I'm on a walk. I'm singing your music all the time." he told Jennifer.
Season 19 of 'America's Got Talent' premieres new episodes every Tuesday at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on NBC. The season is available for streaming on Peacock, where episodes can be viewed the following day.