D’Corey Johnson, an 11-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage with massive dreams of performing on Broadway in hits like Hamilton and Wicked. Before his performance, he shared a lighthearted moment with the panel, calling Simon Cowell his favorite judge because he “keeps it real.” This young singer arrived with a boost of confidence, telling the audience he truly felt he had what it takes to win the entire competition.
However, the audition took a dramatic turn when Simon Cowell interrupted his performance of “Open Arms” by Journey. Simon felt that the background music was distracting and preventing D’Corey from showing off his true vocal ability. In a high-pressure moment that would terrify most adults, Simon asked the young boy to sing the chorus again completely a cappella. Without missing a beat, D’Corey delivered a raw, powerful performance that proved his voice didn’t need any digital help to shine.
The judges were absolutely floored by the transition, with Sofia Vergara noting that “less is more” and praising how much better he sounded without the track. Simon was equally impressed, telling D’Corey that he has a “distinctive, great voice” and promising that his future would be amazing. After receiving a standing ovation from the crowd and four enthusiastic “yes” votes, D’Corey was moved to tears, proving that sometimes being forced to start over is exactly what you need to succeed.
