Simon Cowell Hits Golden Buzzer For 11-Year-Old Violinist On America’s Got Talent

Jun 12, 2019 by apost team

There have been many talented contestants over the years on “America’s Got Talent,” from singers to dancers to comedians. But not many of these talents are up to snuff on the levels that the judges expect, and only a few get to proceed to the next rounds, but even fewer still get the “Golden Buzzer,” a coveted signifier that they will move all the way to the live round.

Tyler Butler-Figueroa was one of those lucky talents. He is an 11-year-old violinist who spoke to the judges about his love for the instrument in last night’s episode. He also opened up about his health. Tyler was unfortunately diagnosed with leukemia at the tender age of 4-and-a-half, he told the judges. He said that he also got bullied at school once he started losing his hair from chemotherapy.

His mother also appeared on the show and explained that Tyler was drawn to a flier for free after-school violin lessons. She was surprised because nobody in the family played a musical instrument but she was game to let him try. The lessons paid off, and he fell in love with the violin, practicing every day even with health problems.

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His heartbreaking tale affected the judges and audiences alike, but he had yet to perform. Once he stepped on stage, his mature demeanor impressed Julianne Hough who said that they were all rooting for him. Then Tyler dove into his chosen piece, an interpretation of the Kelly Clarkson song “Stronger.”

The song just brought the house down, as Tyler commanded the stage wearing light-up sneakers and played perfectly along with a backing track. By that point, it wasn’t just the judges but everyone in the room was rooting for him. He rightfully declared at the end of the performance, “I’m feeling really proud of myself.”

Simon Cowell, one of the most famously tough judges to crack, told Tyler that he was “an extraordinary young man,” and that, “Most people are bullied because they are better than the people who bully them.” At that point, he had a message for all of Tyler’s bullies: Simon got up and brought his hand right down on the Golden Buzzer to a shower of golden confetti. Tyler and his mom cried their eyes out because he had proven something that he had said earlier in the show: “I just didn't want to be the kid with cancer,” Tyler said, “So now I'm the kid who plays the violin.”

What are you waiting for? Hit play to watch Tyler’s amazing performance in the video below:

What do you think about Tyler’s heartwarming story? It’s time you showed somebody in your life his inspirational performance by passing on this article.