Nightbirde after leaving America’s Got Talent due to her deteriorating cancer condition returned Wednesday to thank the judges and viewers for their support.
The 30-year-old singer, real name Jane Marczewski, appeared remotely on the quarterfinals results episode after dropping out following a devastating recurring cancer diagnosis.
Show host Terry Crews, 53, told Nightbirde that her performance on the show that moved AGT judge and executive producer Simon Cowell, 61, to push the golden buzzer had now been seen more than 200 million times.
Fan favorite: Nightbirde after leaving America’s Got Talent due to her deteriorating cancer condition returned Wednesday to thank the judges and viewers for their support
Terry asked her when she wrote her song ‘Ok’ whether she had any idea that it would have that big an impact on the world.
‘There is no way I would have ever imagined that,’ Nightbirde said. ‘It’s a song I wrote for myself in the middle of the night, when I needed those words so bad. It’s beautiful to see the world welcome that song into their own dark night. I’m overwhelmed by it.’
Howie Mandel, 65, then told her that the entire world is suffering adversity right now and that she is the ‘poster human for courage in the face of adversity, for poise, for beauty, and for fight.’
Sofia Vergara, 49, thanked Nightbirde for touching her with her song.
Cancer battle: The 30-year-old singer, real name Jane Marczewski, appeared remotely on the quarterfinals results episode after dropping out following a devastating recurring cancer diagnosis
Touching song: Sofia Vergara, 49, thanked Nightbirde for touching her with her song
Simon got emotional when he talked to Nightbirde. He said they had spoken a few times and that he knew she had made the decision to leave because her health was the priority right now.
He relayed that the last time they spoke, Nightbirde said she felt she had let people down. Simon wanted her to know that she hadn’t let anyone down by dropping out of the competition.
‘Even though you haven’t competed, you have already won,’ Simon said. ‘Your clip had such an impact on so many people.’
Already won: ‘Even though you haven’t competed, you have already won,’ Simon Cowell said. ‘Your clip had such an impact on so many people’
Popular song: ‘There is no way I would have ever imagined that,’ Nightbirde said of her audition song becoming popular. ‘It’s a song I wrote for myself in the middle of the night, when I needed those words so bad. It’s beautiful to see the world welcome that song into their own dark night. I’m overwhelmed by it’
He said that the most important thing was her health and recovery.
‘On behalf of all of us, we are sending you our love and our prayers and we can’t wait to see you again soon,’ he said.
Simon then appeared to stop himself from crying when he said, ‘And thank you so much for auditioning on the show and for singing such a beautiful song.’
Getting emotional: Simon then appeared to stop himself from crying when he said, ‘And thank you so much for auditioning on the show and for singing such a beautiful song’
Nightbirde said the entire experience had restored her faith in humanity to see people come together.
‘We all hurt, we all suffer, and we all have the potential to overcome,’ she said.
‘This is the most beautiful thing that has happened to me in my whole entire life,’ Nightbirde added.
All suffer: ‘We all hurt, we all suffer, and we all have the potential to overcome,’ Nightbirde said
Terry then explained to the audience and viewers that the top five acts of the night would go through to the semifinals, but that the acts that came in sixth, seventh and eight were all in danger of going home.
He said one of the acts could be saved tonight with an instant save.
Terry revealed the acts in danger were Beyond Belief dance company, stand up comedian Kabir ‘Kabeezy’ Singh, 37, and singer Madilyn Bailey, 28, before encouraging viewers to vote to save their favorite act.
Results episode: Terry Crews explained to the audience and viewers that the top five acts of the night would go through to the semifinals
He then announced that 1aChord, a trio of contemporary gospel singers, was the first act that was going on to the semifinals. They thanked America for voting them on. Simon told them they had amazing talent and encouraged them to do something original for the next round.
Next, AGT season 15 winner Brandon Leake did a performance with his poetry group Called To Move. The act was called ‘Stockton’ that ended with them all referring to themselves as ‘dreamers.’
Brandon said his life changed dramatically since being on the show and revealed that he has a new album coming out, made a movie and has a child that will be born in two weeks.
First through: 1aChord, a trio of contemporary gospel singers, was the first act that was going on to the semifinals
Past champion: AGT season 15 winner Brandon Leake did a performance with his poetry group Called To Move
Terry announced that Brandon will also be starring in a new AGT stage show in Las Vegas along with this year’s winner.
The next act voted on to the semifinals was comedian Gina Brillon, 41, from the South Bronx.
Terry then brought out singer Jimmy Herrod, 30, and Peter Rosalita, a 10-year-old from the Philippines, and announced that the next act going to the semifinals was ‘Both of you!!’
Comedy act: The next act voted on to the semifinals was comedian Gina Brillon, 41, from the South Bronx
Jimmy said ‘you guys are so good at getting us.’ Sofia told them she was rooting for both of them.
Between magician Dustin Tavella, 35, and escape artist and illusionist Matt Johnson from British Columbia, the audience voted Dustin on to the semifinals.
Then, 2017 AGT winner, Darci Lynne and her puppet named Oscar came to the stage. Oscar entertained the audience by singing ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ all the while Darci’s lips never appeared to move.
Surprise advancement: Jimmy Herrod, 30, and Peter Rosalita, a 10-year-old from the Philippines, both advanced to the semifinals simultaneously
Magic man: Magician Dustin Tavella, 35, also advanced to the semis
After the live votes were tabulated, stand up comedian Kabeezy was voted on to the semifinals. He was shocked and thanked America.
For the last spot it was a competition between the Beyond Belief dance company and singer Madilyn and the judges were literally split.
Heidi voted for the girls dance group. Sofia said she didn’t think that Madilyn needed her help to be a recording artist and also picked the dancers.
Made it: After the live votes were tabulated, stand up comedian Kabeezy was voted on to the semifinals
Howie and Simon voted for Madilyn. Because it was a tie, the act that got the most votes at home would be declared the winner.
A crew member handed Terry a card, he said based on the number of votes that Madilyn was the one going on to the semifinals. Madilyn clasped her hands and smiled at the news.
America’s Got Talent will return next Tuesday on NBC.
Last one: Madilyn Bailey made it to the semis based on viewer voting after the judges tied