America’s Got Talent paid tribute Tuesday to late contestant Brandon Rogers – who died a month ago in a car crash – during a posthumous broadcast of his audition.
The 29-year-old doctor was killed in Maryland after his friend nodded off behind the wheel.
Producers of the NBC talent show invited Rogers to audition after spotting tapes of him performing online.
Talented doctor: Brandon Rogers was shown posthumously auditioning during Tuesday’s episode of America’s Got Talent
America’s Got Talent showed black and white title cards at the beginning of his segment.
‘On June 11th one of our contestants, Brandon Rogers, tragically passed away in a car accident,’ a card read.
‘At the request of his family we would like to honor his memory by sharing his audition with you,’ the audience was told.
The doctor was then shown backstage calling his mother before his audition and admitting to being nervous.
Family’s request: The singer’s audition was broadcast a month after his tragic death in a car crash
Car accident: Rogers was killed in a Maryland car accident
In tribute: America’s Got Talent at the request of his family honored the young doctor’s memory by sharing his audition
AGT host Tyra Banks interviewed the singer who revealed he also was a family medicine physician.
Rogers said that he was inspired to become a doctor about age six when he came home from school and found his mother laying in a pool of blood.
‘We rushed her to the hospital. The doctors were like heroes. They saved her life and it made me want to be the doctor I am today. Shout out to you, mom. Hey,’ Rogers told the camera.
The hostess: Tyra Banks interviewed Rogers before his audition
Family emergency: Rogers said he was inspired to become a doctor around age six
Pool of blood: The Portsmouth, Virginia native recalled finding his mother laying in a pool of blood and doctors rescuing her
Proud parent: Rogers was shown with his mother beaming next to him
Rogers said he hoped to find a way to combine his medical work and singing.
The Portsmouth, Virginia native impressed judge Mel B when he informed the panel that he was a doctor.
‘Wow,’ she said after Rogers said that he sometimes sings to patients.
Medical road: Viewers were told that Rogers was a family physician
Rogers then belted out a passionate rendition of Ribbon In The Sky by Stevie Wonder.
He earned a standing ovation from the audience and the judges.
‘The doctor is really handsome and the doctor can sing,’ said judge Heidi Klum.
Passionate performance: Rogers belted out a passionate rendition of Ribbon In The Sky by Stevie Wonder
Mel said Rogers was good looking, can sing and also helps people.
Howie Mandel kidded Rogers for wasting his time ‘going down that medical road’ and predicted he could be a star.
Simon Cowell told Rogers that his vocal was ‘stunning, stunning.’
High praise: Heidi Klum praised Rogers for his good looks and singing voice
‘I’ve never said this before to a doctor. You’re sick. Really sick. You’re one of the best singers we’ve had in the competition so far, gotta tell you,’ Cowell said.
The judges gave Rogers four yes votes.
The doctor was then shown offstage calling his parents.
Simply stunned: Simon Cowell told the doctor that he was ‘sick’ but in a good way
‘I have some good news. I made it, I made it,’ Rogers said.
A title card was then shown reading: ‘Brandon Rogers, October 30, 1987 – June 11, 2017. Thank you for sharing your talent.’
Rogers then could be heard telling his mother that he loved her as the Boyz II Men cover of It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday played in the background.
Giving thanks: The NBC show thanked Rogers for sharing his talent
His audition was the final one shown during the two-hour broadcast.
Rogers established a YouTube following with his powerful rendition of the Boyz II Men 1994 hit On Bended Knee.
Boyz II Men saw his video and he sang with them on stage for three performances in January.
Calling home: Rogers was shown calling his parents after his successful audition
The Philadelphia R&B group were among those to offer their condolences to Rogers’ family after his tragic death.
‘Today our hearts are deeply saddened to learn about the sudden death of Dr. Brandon Rogers,’ they wrote in a statement. ‘A few months back we brought this young man out to the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas to perform with us.
‘He was great all 3 nights! Just a genuinely nice person and a really good singer! Gone too young and gone too soon.
‘It hurts to know that the world will never have a chance to witness what his impact on the world could have been as a Doctor and even on the music world. A great spirit and a great voice. Even for the little time we knew you you will be sorely missed. May God Bless, keep and comfort your family in this difficult time,’ the statement said.
Standing ovation: Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi and Simon gave Rogers a standing ovation
Audience favorite: The entire audience also stood to applause Rogers after his performance