Gabriella Laberge, a singer and violinist hailing from Canada with French roots, took America’s Got Talent by storm with an audition that left both judges and the audience utterly mesmerized. Delivering a hauntingly beautiful rendition of James Blunt’s Goodbye My Lover, Laberge’s emotional performance not only earned her a standing ovation but also a unanimous vote to move forward in the competition.
A Eurovision Alum Takes on a New Stage
While Laberge’s name might be fresh to some American viewers, Eurovision fans may remember her from France’s Destination Eurovision in 2019. Competing with her song On cherche encore (Never Get Enough), she fell short of making it past the semi-finals. Now, she’s setting her sights higher—on one of the biggest and most prestigious talent competitions in the world.
Before stepping onto the AGT stage, Gabriella expressed just how much this moment meant to her. “This is the opportunity of my life,” she revealed in a heartfelt pre-audition clip. “To chase my biggest dream, which is doing music for the rest of my life.”
Simon Cowell’s Near Buzzer Moment—And the Stunning Turnaround
The audition kicked off with an enchanting violin solo, effortlessly drawing in judges Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Howie Mandel. However, Simon Cowell, known for his no-nonsense critiques, seemed unconvinced at first. His hand hovered over the dreaded red buzzer, signaling that he was ready to end her performance prematurely.
Then, in a jaw-dropping twist, Gabriella switched from her violin to her vocals—and the energy in the room shifted instantly. Her angelic voice poured into the melody, packed with raw emotion, causing Cowell to freeze mid-gesture. As the audience held their breath, completely transfixed, even the notoriously hard-to-please judge couldn’t deny her talent.
By the time the final note rang out, the entire theater erupted into applause. The judges rose to their feet, giving her a thunderous standing ovation—including Cowell, who had gone from almost rejecting her to cheering her on. With four enthusiastic “yes” votes, Gabriella Laberge secured her place in the next round, proving that sometimes, all it takes is one breathtaking moment to change everything.
