Twenty-one-year-old singer Yoli Mayor began her America’s Got Talent (AGT) audition by performing a soulful rendition of “I Put a Spell on You.” However, her performance was abruptly interrupted by Simon Cowell, who immediately stopped the music. Simon was critical of her presentation, telling Yoli the performance felt “very old-fashioned,” especially with the cocktail dress, and urged the young artist to “keep it young.” Under immense pressure, Simon demanded she sing a second song, hoping to be persuaded that she had the potential to be a “great recording artist.”
Under immense pressure and facing elimination, Yoli demonstrated remarkable resilience by agreeing to sing her second original track, titled “November.” The contrast between her two attempts was startling. This time, her voice was raw and deeply emotive, allowing her natural, distinctive tone to shine through. She successfully channeled her nervousness into her performance, delivering a heartfelt song that convinced the judges she possessed the authentic human quality she promised. Her composition spoke of vulnerability and feeling “real,” immediately securing a powerful connection with the audience and the panel.
The judges were thoroughly impressed by the dramatic change. Simon Cowell, the man who created the tension, was the first to speak, offering a rare apology for the difficult moment but admitting he was “glad we did it,” because he had found what felt like a “solid gold star.” The other judges quickly agreed, praising not just her voice, but her special presence and the impressive way she handled the unexpected stress. They assured her this was her time, and with four enthusiastic “yeses,” Yoli Mayor’s unexpected comeback secured her spot in the next round of the competition.
