Watch the Act that Brought Simon Cowell to Tears and Won First 'AGT' Golden Buzzer

Back in 2021, Simon Cowell selected Nightbirde, whose real name was Jane Marczewski, as his Golden Buzzer on America’s Got Talent. The then 30-year-old, who was battling cancer, performed the original song, “It’s OK,” the story of how she had spent the previous year fighting for her life.

Nightbirde had to withdraw from the AGT competition when her health took a turn for the worse. And then she lost her battle with cancer on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022. So, imagine everyone’s surprise when the Mzansi Youth Choir from Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, showed up for its audition and performed Nightbirde’s song.

The choir received a standing ovation from the audience and judges, with host Terry Crews saying, “What a wonderful tribute to a beautiful person.”

Related: America's Got Talent Golden Buzzer Nightbirde Has Died After Long Health Battle

For those not in the know, judge Heidi Klum explained, “We loved the very special person from our AGT family. Her name was Jane, her nickname was Nightbirde, and she sang this song, so it has a very special meaning in my heart. It was really beautiful.”

“What a surprise to hear that song,” Sofia Vergara added. “Your voices are fantastic. That was the perfect AGT audition.”

And Howie Mandel said, “I’ll always remember Nightbirde. And to see that [her song] touched people on the other side of the globe. Unbelievable. You deserve so much more than a yes. You deserve a thank you.”

When it came time for Simon to comment, he first asked, “Why did you sing that song?”

The group explained, “When we heard Nightbirde singing that song on this stage, we were very inspired and touched by her story. We decided to record the song. To our surprise, she responded so beautifully. This song has been such an [inspiration] to us as a choir through difficult times. We just want to continue her legacy and that’s why we chose this song.”

Related: Watch the 'Absolutely Stunning' Act That Earned Simon Cowell's Golden Buzzer on America's Got Talent

The performance and the answer brought up so much emotion, it made it difficult for Simon to respond, and it also made him tear up.

Finally, he said, “This brought back so many memories for me. I know how much this would have meant to her. Right until the end, she was so passionate about her music. This has gone all over the world, and you’ve come back here with the most amazing tribute. It was just breathtaking.”

That’s when the audience began to chant, “Golden Buzzer. Golden Buzzer.”

It moved Simon to say, “I want to suggest something. We’ve never done this before, but we’ve always discussed one day giving the audience something. What do you think?”

The audience caught on immediately, jumped to its feet, and resumed its call for a “Golden Buzzer,” leading Simon to say, “I think we should do it. This is for you [he said pointing to the choir] and this is for Jane.”

So, all four judges – plus Terry, who ran down from the stage – hit the Golden Buzzer together, and Terry announced, “Mzansi Youth Choir, you have just received the Golden Buzzer from the fifth AGT judge, the audience."

That means they get an automatic place in the competition when the live shows begin and they don't have to survive Judges Cuts, which is when all the acts that got at least three yeses go through a selection process to make the live shows.

The Mzansi Youth Choir was formed 20 years ago when its founders Jannie and Marina Zaaiman were carjacked. To their surprise, it was done by young people. They saw it as an opportunity to change young lives, and then they founded the choir as a means of doing so.

America’s Got Talent airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.

Next, Simon Cowell Teases the Big Change for Season 18 of America’s Got Talent.