Lamont Landers Takes Advantage of Rare Second Chance From Simon Cowell on ‘America’s Got Talent’

Nerves are expected during an America’s Got Talent audition, but getting a second chance to learn a brand new song took contestant Lamont Landers’ tension to another level.

The 27-year-old singer from Huntsville, Alabama began to sing “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green before Simon Cowell stopped him, calling the choice a “safe wedding song.” When Landers said his other audition song was Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On,” Cowell replied, “Your problem is that you don’t take risks.”

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The judge then suggested he come back later in the afternoon with a new song. After a bit of a tense back-and-forth between the two, Landers decided to take the opportunity for a second chance. In his second audition, he performed a stripped-down version of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own,” which he admitted he learned just 30 minutes prior. After having to stop to shake off his nerves, Landers’ ultimate audition was smooth and soulful, received with a standing ovation by the crowd and all four judges.

“You’re like an egg right now and we’re cracking it open slowly but surely,” judge Julianne Hough told Landers, before he was sent through to the next round by a unanimous vote.

Watch the audition below, and catch AGT on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.

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