Mzansi Youth Choir.Photo:Trae Patton/NBC
Trae Patton/NBC
America’s Got Talenthas finally returned for season 18, and the show wasted no time in getting to the emotional — and historic — moments.
“We never expected a reception like this,” Jannie Zaaiman, the founder and director of Mzansi Youth Choir, tells PEOPLE. “We had hoped we would make it through to the next round, but this was an absolute spectacular experience for the choristers, who handled the pressure with such poise and grace… We are immensely proud of them for this extraordinary achievement.”
Nightbirde competed on season 16 ofAGTin 2021. Duringher audition, she told audiences that she “had some cancer in my lungs, spine and my liver,” adding, “I have a 2 percent chance of survival, but two percent is not 0 percent. Two percent is something, and I wish people knew how amazing it is.”
She received judgeSimon Cowell’sGolden Buzzerthat season, vaulting her straight to the live shows and causing her story — and music — to go viral. However, shewithdrew from the showweeks later, announcing on social media at the time that she was no longer able to compete as her health had taken a “turn for the worse.” She thendied in February 2022 at age 31.
Nightbirde on AGT in season 16.Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty
“This song has been such a pillar of strength for our choir through difficult times,” they said. “We just want to continue her legacy and that’s why we chose this song.”
“You deserve so much more than a yes, you deserve a thank you,” Howie added.
Mzansi Youth Choir.Trae Patton/NBC
Simon, however, struggled to hold back his tears. “This brought back so many memories for me,” he said before getting choked up. “I know how much this would’ve meant to her … it was just breathtaking, honestly.”
He then made the historic suggestion of granting the choir an Audience Golden Buzzer as the crowd chanted “Golden Buzzer” over and over.
“We’ve never done this before, but we’ve always discussed one day giving the audience something,” he said while hostTerry Crewsjoined the judges behind their table. “So this is for you, and you. This is for Jane.”
Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, Simon Cowell.Casey Durkin/NBC
Casey Durkin/NBC
“In some ways it isn’t surprising because hope is a universal language that Jane’s story embodied so well, but it’s still surreal to think that a small town girl’s story could empower so many people across the world,” notes Mitch, who is the CEO of theNightbirde Foundation, set up in her honor to help other women pay for lifesaving breast cancer treatments.
He adds, “It brought me to tears to see Simon getting emotional. I know how much Jane meant to him, and how much she meant to all ofAGT. Again, I’m so very humbled that my sweet little sister could have such an outsized impact on Simon,AGTand the world.”
Zaaimanalso called the moment “such a humbling experience” while speaking to PEOPLE.
“Of the 17 choristers who performed on stage only one has a job. Because of the huge unemployment rate in South Africa, the choir is their second home,” Zaaiman explains. “To come here and see Simon react the way he did, just showed us what a special person he is, and we will never forget his words: ‘You defined what this show absolutely is all about.‘We want to touch people’s hearts with what we do and show the wonderful skills our choristers have… [and] what an incredible opportunity and privilege to continue [Jane’s] amazing legacy.”
Jane Marczewski aka “Nightbirde” and her brother Mitch.mitch Marczewski jnr/nightbirde foundation
mitch Marczewski jnr/nightbirde foundation
With the Audience Golden Buzzer now claimed, the weekly auditions will follow the acts as they compete for a spot on the show — and for the coveted Golden Buzzers of Terry, the four judges and the group one.
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America’s Got Talentairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
source: people.com
