(NBC)
Johnny Manuel stunned with “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” during Tuesday’s “America’s Got Talent” quarterfinals. Watch the video below!
As Gossip Cop has reported, Manuel is a former child/teen star. At just 14 years old, he scored a record deal and worked with some the industry’s biggest names, including Diddy and *NSYNC. Three years later, however, it was all over. The singer was dropped from his label and overcome with depression as he tried readjusting to the life of a typical teenager. Now in his 30s, he tried out for “America’s Got Talent” to resume pursuing his music dreams. Manuel’s audition performance of “I Have Nothing” amazed the judges, and he sought to impress them again during the Judge Cuts.
Manuel’s performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Lately” earned a standing ovation from Mel B, but seemed to disappoint Simon Cowell, who actually deemed the rendition “annoying.” But not forgetting what the performer is capable of, the music mogul asked him to sing 30 seconds of “I Have Nothing” again. And that was enough for guest judge Seal to hit the Golden Buzzer. “You hit notes that I can only dream of,” the pro gushed. The advantage meant Manuel was automatically through to the live quarterfinals.
And now tonight, he had to sing live on the show for the first time. “It’s like I’m getting a second chance, but it’s extremely terrifying because I’m putting myself out there,” Manuel said in his pre-taped opening package, adding, “A lot of me fears that what happened to me before will happen again… I just cannot let this slip through my fingers again.” It seemed fitting, then, that he chose “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” for his performance.
He was the fourth act to take the stage during the live broadcast, but gave a show-stopping rendition worthy of the closing spot. After a standing ovation from all four judges, Cowell said, “I mean this as an absolutely compliment, you are a diva. This is what you do well… You’ve been okay up until now. This is your moment.” He even suggested Manuel had a future as a big Broadway star.
Howie Mandel said, “Here’s how I feel: I feel as if tonight’s show just started. You made me forget everything that came before you. This so far is the highlight. This is where the voting begins.” Heidi Klum amusingly admitted, “I don’t love it when Seal is right… But I have to say boy was he right when he pushed that Golden Buzzer for you, because wow, you are so amazing.” And Mel B declared, “I have one word to say: Amazing!” Gossip Cop will have video shortly. Stay tuned.
RT if you are telling @JohnnyManuel that he isn’t going anywhere with VOTES tonight. #AGT pic.twitter.com/a3PMLwXYHe
— America’s Got Talent (@AGT) August 23, 2017
