A 13-year-old’s dream second with Simon Cowell rapidly hit a bitter be aware — and took an uncomfortable flip.
Chase Varnes, who hails from Vancouver Island within the Canadian province of British Columbia, risked all of it to satisfy his goals on a Tuesday episode of “America’s Got Talent.” However that tune of triumph briefly slipped right into a minor key.
Varnes took the stage, guitar in hand, and commenced strumming a melodic tune, solely to be reduce off mid-performance by Cowell.
“I didn’t love the song,” Cowell stated, with the room echoing in shock.
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Nonetheless, the notoriously sharp-tongued decide softened the blow, clarifying that whereas the tune itself struck a flawed chord, he did benefit from the younger artist’s tone and presence. He then requested the singer if he “had another song?”
With out lacking a beat, Varnes pivoted to Ed Sheeran’s “Life Goes On” and shortly turned a crowd favourite. However a standing ovation couldn’t resolve the suspense that got here when the musician confronted the panel of judges.
“You know, you remind me of a young Justin Bieber,” fellow decide Howie Mandel advised the artist, who lit up with a smile on his face.
Decide Sophia Vergara additionally sang Varnes’ praises, and agreed with Cowell’s earlier suggestion to change songs.
Then, got here Mel B’s flip on the mic.
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“You were great,” the previous Spice Lady stated. “You’re a diamond in the rough. You have so much potential. But I can see your nervousness. You’re not quite there yet for me.”
The pop star was met with a convincing boo from the group, after which got here the judges’ votes.
Mandel and Vergara gave enthusiastic yeses, whereas Mel B stood her floor with a no. Varnes’ future within the competitors got here right down to Cowell’s vote.
“Sometimes we have on people your age, and I’m kind of like, ‘OK, I’ll be sort of nicer because you’re young,’” Cowell stated. “You, I actually do believe that you have something.”
He then advised Varnes, “You’ve got everything going for you, and the audience loved you, which is why you’re gonna get three yeses.”
