Latin spirit tells only a small part of Gabriel Henrique’s unique talents. The Brazilian singer showed the full arsenal when he performed Tuesday night, Sept. 19 on America’s Got Talent, for a spot in the finals.
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Henrique earned Sofia Vergara’s Golden Buzzer earlier in the season, with a performance of Whitney Houston’s “Run to You”.
Now, with his spot in the Qualifiers round, Henrique swung for the fences with a rendition of Jacob Banks’ “Something Beautiful,” combining pitch, power and an array of high notes that climbed to whistle range, a skill that would make Mariah Carey proud.
The room delivered a standing applause, as did all four judges.
“I don’t even have anything to say. It was perfection,” Vergara later enthused. “It was just like an angel. You are definitely a star. It was beautiful.” And it was goosebumps material, she declared, showing off the effect on her arm to her fellow judges.
Simon Cowell remarked, “You could have sung something less obvious. The fact that you sung this song…you absolutely nailed it. It was way better in my opinion than your first audition.” Just “maybe” with that performance, the Brit remarked, Henrique might have booked a spot in the final.
“You have an unbelievable talent,” was Heidi Klum’s opinion. “Especially from the second part of the song, you showed what sets you apart from the other singers. I feel like you busted out some tunes that are unhuman. It was incredible what we just heard.”
Speaking last, Howie Mandel admitted his initial concerns about the song choice. Those worries quickly disappeared. “Once you hit that note, that’s what makes you stand out. That’s why people are going to remember you.”
Just two contestants can go through from tonight’s round. Now, it’s America’s turn to vote.
Speaking through an interpreter, Henrique shared a parting gift. “I like to say what I feel in my heart,” he noted. “And if it’s not with love, then it doesn’t mean anything.”
Watch below.