Johnny Manuel from Flint, Michigan, signed with a record label when he was only 14. It did not work out, and the big career he imagined as a kid never came. On America’s Got Talent in 2017 he said he simply wanted to be himself and share his music with the world.
He chose Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing”, one of the hardest songs a singer can pick. His voice grew bigger with every line, and the cheers in the theatre got louder with every note. 🎶
Howie Mandel thanked him for showing up, Heidi Klum called him incredible, and Simon Cowell joked that little shy Johnny was really a diva. Later, at the Judge Cuts, he sang “Lately” and guest judge Seal pressed the Golden Buzzer.
The boy whose first record deal fell apart got a second chance and grabbed it. He went on to reach the semifinals, proving his dream had never really gone away. ❤️
