A 13-year-old girl brought America’s Got Talent judges to tears for a second time after singing a touching tribute to her ailing father.
Evie Clair, 13, from Florence, Arizona, captured the country’s hearts last month after appearing on the show singing a rendition of Christina Perri’s Arms, which she introduced with a tearful speech about her dad, who has terminal cancer.
But for this performance, Evie instead opted to sing Macy Gray’s I Try, and upon revealing her choice to the judges, Simon Cowell inquired: ‘What do the words mean to you, Evie?’
Belting it out: Evie Clair, 13, from Florence, Arizona, sang a moving rendition of Macy Gray’s I Try on Tuesday’s episode of America’s Got Talent
Bringing the house down: Evie’s incredible performance left Mel B in tears
‘Kind of just that a lot of things are happening right now and we don’t really know what’s going to happen next but…’ Evie responded, trailing off as she began to well up with emotion.
Simon asked the young girl if she needed a moment, but she gathered herself together and responded ‘I’m good!’ before launching into the song.
As her beautiful voice recited the moving lyrics of the song, Evie’s parents were seen in the audience, with her mother weeping.
Getting through it: Before singing the song, Evie told the judges that the lyrics mean a lot to her because of her father’s cancer battle
Their story: Evie’s parents were seen in the crowd, with her mom breaking down into tears
Snuggled up: Evie first captured the country’s attention last month for talking about her struggle to deal with her father’s cancer battle
By the end of the performance, judge Mel B had to wipe away tears and she received a standing ovation from the crowd.
‘It’s the sound of an angel singing to her daddy,’ said Howie, telling her that he felt ‘moved’.
Evie’s performance earned her a spot in the Live Showcase along with Sad clown Puddles, twin duo Mirror Image, salsa dancers Junior and Emily, Scottish mind reader Colin Cloud and singers Chase Goehring and Yoli Mayor.
Evie first won hearts last month when she debuted on the show sharing the heartbreaking story about her father’s battle with cancer.
Lots of love: The teenager explained that her father was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer last year, and given just a five per cent chance of survival
Showing her talent: Evie wowed the judges last month with another touching tribute to her ailing father
Breaking up: The young girl struggled through her tears to explain what the song Arms by Christina Perri means to her and her family to Simon
‘About a year ago, my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer,’ she explained to Simon, Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel.
‘They gave him a five per cent chance to live, and he continued working and supporting our family. So tonight I’m here to sing for him.’
She added that the tune, Christina Perri’s Arms, was one she had repeatedly sung to cheer up her father on his ‘rough days’.
The story left not only Evie’s parents backstage in tears, but also many members of the large audience.