The 14-Year-Old with a Voice Straight Out of the 1960s Who Earned the Golden Buzzer
When 14-year-old Reed Wilson from Alabama first walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage, the visible nerves nearly got the best of him. As a self-taught singer and the middle child of his family, Reed admittedly used to run around the house screaming at the top of his lungs. Stepping onto the world’s biggest stage, he was terrified but determined to use his two minutes to prove that he would not be forgotten. However, the moment he opened his mouth to sing, any trace of a timid teenager completely vanished.
Reed shocked the entire auditorium by delivering a soul-stirring, powerhouse rendition of Lesley Gore’s 1963 classic anthem, “You Don’t Own Me.” His deep, incredibly mature tone sounded like it belonged to a seasoned soul icon from the 1960s rather than a 14-year-old boy. Midway through the jaw-dropping performance, Reed confidently ripped the microphone off its stand, taking full control of the stage and bringing the crowd to its feet with an explosive vocal finish.
The judges were left completely stunned. Sofia Vergara admitted she was worried his nerves would ruin the performance, but called the final result spectacular. Heidi Klum revealed that she actually had to close her eyes just to process the sheer power of his voice. When asked about his musical inspirations, Reed proudly shared his love for the legendary Aretha Franklin. Simon Cowell, completely bowled over by the surprise, asked Reed if he believed in dreams. Proving that dreams do come true, Simon slammed down on the Golden Buzzer, sending a rain of gold confetti over an emotional Reed and his proud mother, cementing his place as the show’s next big superstar.
