'AGT' Season 19: Watch Simon Cowell swoon over Mervin Mayo's soulful rendition of 2014 mega hit

'AGT' Season 19 judge Simon Cowell gushed over Richmond police officer Mervin Mayo's performance
UPDATED JUL 17, 2024
‘AGT’ judge Simon Cowell gushes over Mervin Mayo's rendition of 'Thinking Out Loud' (YouTube/@AGT)
‘AGT’ judge Simon Cowell gushes over Mervin Mayo's rendition of 'Thinking Out Loud' (YouTube/@AGT)

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA: Richmond police officer Mervin Mayo performed a stunning rendition of Ed Sheeran's hit song 'Thinking Out Loud' on the latest episode of 'America's Got Talent' Season 19.

Mayo sang the love song with heartfelt emotion, occasionally glancing at his wife Mechelle who was waiting offstage and supporting him. After his act, his wife blew him a kiss and the judges asked him to bring her on stage because he had been looking at her throughout his performance. Mayo and his wife affectionately held hands while the judges shared their opinions on the Act.

Simon Cowell said, “You really do have a good voice and everything you did was sincere. I just think it was just a great moment and I think people are genuinely going to like you.” 

“You’re both great people. You are the people that allow us to be safe and people who are in our school system. You are both serving the community and that’s a wonderful thing. I love you and I would love hearing from you again," Howie Mandel added. 

Sofia Vergara shared, “You guys are a beautiful couple and your voice is spectacular. Super romantic, how beautiful that you love her and you’re singing to her and I think people are going to love you.” 



 

Mervin Mayo reveals his wife Mechelle encouraged him to audition for 'AGT' Season 19

Mervin Mayo felt nervous when he first stepped onto the 'AGT' stage, but he was motivated to audition by his wife.

"Well, I’ve been thinking about it for years, but I shy away because the only competition I do is karaoke so uh, my wife convinced me. Everything I do my wife convinces me to do. So I’m here," he explained.

Mayo, dressed in his police uniform, sat down at a keyboard and started singing 'Thinking Out Loud' by Ed Sheeran, occasionally looking offstage.


 
 
 
 
 
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'AGT' fans dub Mervin Mayo's performance 'amazing'

Fans of 'AGT' were in awe of Mervin Mayo's performance, describing it as nothing short of amazing. The audience was captivated by Mayo's talent and his ability to impress the judges with his incredible skills on the show. Mayo's performance left a lasting impression on viewers, solidifying his place as one of the standout acts of the season.

An X user said, "Awesome job, brother!!!"



 

Another user added, "That was an amazing performance by mervin mayo, He sounded incredible during the auditions this week AGT."



 

Followed by a user who penned, "Richmond Police Officer and officer in the school! America’s Got Talent tonight and he was amazing!! Way to represent RPS and RPD AND RICHMOND!! He’s also a former PAL kid! MervinMayo RichmondPublicSchools RichmondPoliceDepartment PALKid everykidneedsapal."



 

A fourth user said, "Mervin Mayo shines! That was epic! AGT."



 

Who is Mervin Mayo on 'AGT' Season 19?

When Mervin Mayo is not showcasing his vocal talents, he dedicates his time as a Richmond Police officer, focusing on mentoring and supporting at-risk youth in the community.

“I’ve been a police officer for 19 years. I’m not just a regular police officer. I’m a school resource officer and so what that means is that I work in a school with at-risk youth and want to keep them from going to jail," he shared on 'AGT'.

“I grew up in a housing project in Richmond, Virginia and there was a program called the Police Athletic League,” Mervin told the Judges.

He further added, “An officer named Curtis Simmons kind of took me under his wing cause I was a little mischievous growing up, and he kept me safe. I’m alive today because he kept me out of it and I, I thank him for that ‘cause I tell people I’ve seen more murders as a child than I have as a police officer.” 

Similar to his professional career, Mervin's passion for music also originated during his childhood when he became a member of the church choir. Over the years, music has served as a crucial outlet for the officer to relax and destress amidst the pressures of his job.

“When I’m going through some stuff, I jump on my piano as a coping mechanism for me. If not, I’d be all over the place. I need that, I need that in my life," he shared.

'AGT' Season 19 contestant Mervin Mayo is a police officer (YouTube/NBC)
'AGT' Season 19 contestant Mervin Mayo is a police officer (YouTube/@NBC)

'AGT' Season 19 airs every Tuesday at 8 pm ET on NBC.

RELATED TOPICS AMERICA'S GOT TALENT (2006)

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