Howie Mandel presents 14-year-old singer with the Golden Buzzer
A 14-year-old boy from Alabama had America’s Got Talent The jury was completely thrilled when he took the microphone and performed a timeless classic from the 1960s.
Reid Wilson came with his sweet southern manners at the first meeting AGT Host: Terry Crews backstage. The modest teenager, wearing a turtleneck and suspenders, explained that although he had only sung at small family gatherings, he had not yet taken his musical skills to the big stage.
“When I was little, I would just run around the house and scream,” he told producers. “I was not good at all. From then on, I started teaching myself.”
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As he later told judge Simon Cowell, Wilson only started singing seriously last year. He said it was “definitely” his dream to AGT‘s “next superstar” while hopefully breaking free from the stigma that comes with being the middle child at home and feeling a little “forgotten.”
“I’m definitely nervous,” Wilson said backstage, “but I’m going to give it my all in those two minutes, sing with all my heart and just try not to miss a note.”
Wilson kept his word and left the building with Judge Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer.
What song did Reid Wilson sing?
Wilson had the judges in his grasp as he belted out the Lesley Gore classic “You Don’t Own Me” from 1963. With lyrics like “I don’t belong to you, I’m not just one of your many toys. I don’t belong to you, so don’t say I can’t go out with other boys. The chart hit became an anthem for women’s rights and feminism by challenging the ideas of the time that men could have power over their partners.
Gore, who was already famous for her hit “It’s My Party,” recorded “You Don’t Own Me” when she was only 17 years old before it was released as a single and on Lesley Gore sings of confused hearts.
Gore later called it her “signature song,” according to BBC.
“After about 40 years, I still end my show with this song because I honestly can’t think of anything more powerful,” Gore said. “It’s a song that somehow gets better every time you play it.”
The hit was awarded gold, platinum and multi-platinum worldwide. Since then it has been covered by many music greats, including Kristen Chenoweth, Christina Aguilera, Joan Jett and Dusty Springfield. For the 1996 film The Devil’s ClubBette Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn have also covered the song.
In 2014, Gore helped a handful of celebrities, including Lena Dunham and Natasha Lyonne, sing the song “You Don’t Own Me” for a PSA urging women to vote in the midterm elections to protect women’s rights over their bodies, as reported by Weekly entertainment.
Gore died of lung cancer the following year.
Reid’s brother Ryley Wilson attended The voice
Reid isn’t the only singer in his family to grace the stage of an NBC competition show. His brother Ryley had his chair turned four times in season 23. The voice when he was just 15. In the video above, you can see Reid right on the sidelines, cheering on his big brother. Ryley ended up on coach Niall Horan’s team and went on tour with him after the show.
In the end, he made it into the top eight, but could not get enough votes to make it to the final.
Why did Howie give Mandel his Golden Buzzer?
Mandel said he was “blown away” because he was so “surprised” by Wilson’s interpretation, which was characterized by impressive vibrato and a mix of husky low notes and hair-raising high notes.
Cowell also said he “didn’t expect that” from a 14-year-old boy from Alabama.
During the performance, Cowell said he closed and opened his eyes and was suddenly greeted by a “sweet little boy” who admitted he was inspired by Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul herself.
“That was a surprise, and you know what? This is the phase where dreams come true,” Mandel told Wilson. “Do you believe in dreams?”
Wilson said yes, whereupon Mandel got up from his chair and went to the Golden Buzzer.
“Well, one will be coming to you soon,” Mandel announced proudly.
Wilson was speechless as he was showered with gold confetti and began to cry as his mother, Crews and Mandel greeted him on stage. Wilson said he was a little “starstruck” by the troupe, but he thanked the judges, “especially Howie,” for helping him make his dreams come true.
“Why did I do it? I did it because everything, the sound and who you are, is not at all what I expected,” Mandel told the teenager. “You are a great talent. Aretha was in the room.”
Watch brand new episodes of America’s Got TalentBroadcast Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and peacock.
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