On tonight’s episode of America’s Got Talent, a 16-year-old named Christian Guardino blew away the judges by singing The Jackson 5’s “Who’s Lovin’ You”. He hails from Long Island, New York, with his father working as a pizza man and his mother having a career as a nurse. When Guardino was very young, his parents found out that one day he would become completely blind. His mother says her son is humble, goofy and all he’s ever wanted to do was perform music. She says that Guardino was using a cane to navigate, but, at 12 years old, an experimental treatment gave him back his sight.
Guardino’s dream is to be a successful singer and he was very nervous when taking the stage. He says he’s been singing for as long as he can remember and when he began to perform, his incredible voice was a shock to many. Judge Simon Cowell called him a mouse that turned into a lion and when Guardino started singing, Cowell’s eye instantly widened. Judge Howie Mandel’s mouth hung open as he stood up and placed his hands over his heart, watching Guardino’s performance in disbelief.
The performance was filled with soul, emotion and power.
Guardino received a standing ovation from the judges and Howie Mandel couldn’t help but grant him a golden buzzer pass to the live show. Cowell was practically speechless, Mel B was overwhelmed and Heidi Klum said she thinks he’s going to go very far in the competition. Cowell gushed that Guardino is one of his favorite contestants who he has seen this year and that not only does he love Guardino’s voice, but he likes him as a person as well. This made Guardino very emotional, but not as emotional as when Mandel hit the golden buzzer. Guardino began to cry and his mother soon rushed out onto the stage to hug her son. Host Tyra Banks came out as well and the three of them were soon joined by judge Howie Mandel.
The judges appeared almost as overjoyed as Guardino, who was beyond surprised at the amazing response he received.