Thirteen-year-old Jeffrey Li from Toronto, Canada, introduced himself to the America’s Got Talent judges with a surprisingly humble and heartwarming motivation. As an only child, his primary goal was not to win the million dollars for himself, but rather to acquire a loyal companion—specifically, a dog. This endearing request immediately set a high emotional stake for his audition, as he confessed the song he chose, “You Raise Me Up,” helped him through times when he felt sad and lonely. Moved by his honesty, judge Mel B impulsively promised him a puppy if he managed to do well, turning his performance into a decisive moment for both his talent and his dream of companionship.
For his performance, Jeffrey took on the powerful and famously demanding ballad, “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban. Despite his youth, the singer delivered an utterly phenomenal and mature interpretation of the song. His voice possessed remarkable richness and control, soaring through the high notes with impressive ease and conviction. Jeffrey’s emotional connection to the lyrics was undeniable, transforming a huge, established anthem into a deeply personal declaration of hope and resilience. The maturity and quality of his vocal performance captivated the audience and judges alike, who realized they were witnessing the emergence of a genuine child star.
The panel was visibly wowed by his talent. All the judges swiftly gave him “Yes” votes, but the highlight came from Simon Cowell, who acknowledged his courage for performing “one of the biggest songs in the world.” After receiving a unanimous “Yes” from the entire panel, Simon delivered the final, most anticipated verdict: “Not only have you got four yeses, you just got yourself a new dog.” Jeffrey Li secured his place in the competition and, more importantly, the companion he had longed for, resulting in one of the most triumphant and heartwarming resolutions in the show’s history.
