At every AGT show, audience members are given the opportunity to sing during the commercial breaks. Although it usually results in terrible singers doing karaoke for fun, one show’s commercial act got judge Howie Mandel to hit his golden buzzer.
Twelve-year-old Maddie Baez has been part of the AGT crowd since she was only eight years old. While the karaoke mic was making its rounds during an intermission, Maddie took the opportunity to show her hidden talents while singing “Amazing Grace.” Astonished by her gifts, the judges pulled her from the audience and asked her to perform on the main stage. Mid-song, the tween was stopped by Mandel, as he stood up to hit his golden buzzer to push Maddie right into the quarterfinals.
Despite only being in middle school, Maddie has already been singing for over nine years. When her dad was diagnosed with cancer, Maddie began singing to him at the hospital to help lift his spirits. After learning about Maddie’s gift, her father began taking her to AGT shows, inspiring her to get on the stage herself.
For her quarter-finals performance, Maddie decided to sing a rendition of “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood. The performance featured her belting high notes with ease and giving vocal runs that most professional singers couldn’t achieve. Both judges and audience members alike were astounded by her control and vocal agility at such a young age, as well as her mature choice of music.
“Bruno Mars. I grew up listening to all of his music, I love his style, love the way he sings. I also like Meghan Trainor, Charlie Puth… but I’m also kind of old-school,” Maddie told Celeb Secrets after the show. “I like the oldies like Sam Cooke, Etta James, and the Jackson 5.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVjB4Ikdttc
