Simon Cowell defends cute viral sensation on 'America's Got Talent'

Kylie Mar
·Host & Producer, Yahoo Entertainment

Adorable America’s Got Talent fan fav Celine Tam returned for the live show this week and, once again, the little 9-year old blew the judges away with her insanely big voice as she belted Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey’s “When You Believe.” But can you believe there was one judge who was slightly unimpressed?

Mel B told Tam, “You are very brave to be up there on that stage and just be singing in your element, OK? But tonight, I think the song was just too big for you.” Simon Cowell immediately screamed into his mic, “Boo!” Cowell continued to boo and make sounds into his mic to drown out Mel, who finally just told him to “shut up.” But Cowell was not feeling Mel’s vibes, and rushed to the defense of the mini version of Celine Dion. “Mel, you gotta remember, this girl is 9 years old,” Cowell said. “You were standing on what looked like a clam that was going to eat you as well. So that’s a lot for a 9-year-old to have to put up with on a live show. So you did great.”

In the end, despite Mel B’s remarks, this cutie proved that she’s already got the thick skin a performer needs to make it in the biz when she shared, “I just want America to vote for me … and I hope America will come to me.”

America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC. Watch clips and full episodes of America’s Got Talent free on Yahoo View.

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