Los Angeles, California – “America’s Got Talent” judge Simon Cowell shook things up during the latest episode by making show history with a surprising move. Cowell pressed the Golden Buzzer not once, but twice in one episode, a first for the show. The Golden Buzzer sends contestants directly to the live shows, skipping past further rounds of competition.
The first recipient of Cowell’s Golden Buzzer was Chicago-based singer Liv Warfield, who impressed with a vibrant performance alongside her band. Following Warfield’s act, Cowell shared his excitement, saying, “It was like being punched in the face by your energy,” before hitting the buzzer for her.
Later in the episode, a group known as Sky Elements wowed the audience with an impressive drone light show. In a surprising turn, Cowell pressed the Golden Buzzer for the second time, sparking confusion among his fellow judges and the production team.
Fellow judges Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Howie Mandel were impressed by the drone show but were puzzled by Cowell’s decision. Mandel pointed out that Cowell already had used the Golden Buzzer once, to which Cowell responded, “I had to.”
As a result of Cowell’s unprecedented move, the rules for season 19 were modified on the spot. Judges now have two chances to press the Golden Buzzer for acts they believe deserve a spot in the live shows.
In the previous episode, Klum used her first Golden Buzzer on 55-year-old janitor and singer Richard Goodall from Indiana, who entranced the crowd with his rendition of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Goodall shared his journey to the “AGT” stage, explaining how he found his passion for singing while working as a janitor at a middle school.
Goodall’s emotional performance led to Klum pressing the Golden Buzzer for him, sending him to the next stage of the competition. The heartwarming moment left both Goodall and Klum in tears, showcasing the power of music to touch hearts and transcend boundaries.