Simon Cowell called the little girl to come over. 

In between performances, he just walked to get a drink. It was Simon’s usual practice to skip the part when audience members might briefly demonstrate their vocal talents.

But as soon as he returned, the audience began to applaud for a little child who was singing so passionately that even Howie turned around to have a look.

She is Madison Taylor Baez, and she is 11 years old. Madison has always loved the program and has always wanted to try out since she is confident in her talent.

Right after the introductions, Simon tells her to come forward and asks her to sing again, this time on stage.

And the whole crowd, including Maddie’s dad, clapped and cheered for her as she walked up on stage.

That’s what Judge Howie Mandel says happens during commercial breaks.
When he turned around and heard Madison singing, he was the first person to see her, and he informed the other judges, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum, right away.

Amazing Grace was performed by Maddie for the audience in a stunning a cappella rendition.

Simon came back, his face looking both curious and shocked at what he was hearing.

The same song is performed on the stage. 

“We do ask people in the breaks if they’d like to sing a song, and I was literally just walking back in when I heard this voice, wondering, ‘Who the heck is that?'” Cowell said. “Then I see this little thing in the crowd, and it’s you,” he said.

Since the age of 4, Maddie has attended several shows, and she always tries to sing during the commercial breaks.

“Being on the program has always been one of my greatest dreams. And I’ve made it here at last!”

Simon encouraged Baez to sing once she had collected herself since she was obviously nervous.

Everyone was blown away by little Maddie’s strong voice, which seemed out of proportion with her little frame. A voice like that couldn’t possible belong to an eleven-year-old child!

That’s singing praises to the heavens!
After a few words, Maddie pauses as host Terry Crews and the crowd, who are now standing, applaud her.

Simon smiles in amazement and gestures that she keeps singing. Baez agrees and then unleashes yet another incredible demonstration of strength, tone, and control.

This little lady is extraordinary!

“I’m serious. This has never really happened in all the years we’ve ever done this. This is really the opposite of how I usually act, leaving at the break since others sing. In fact, it pulled me back in,” Cowell said.

If Maddie won, what would she do?
Maddie wants to help her dad, who has stage four colon cancer and has been sick for nine years.

Simon calls for a vote, but as soon as he looks at Howie, the crowd starts chanting, “Golden buzzer!”

Mandel smiles, stands up, and hits the Golden Buzzer, which makes golden confetti fall on Maddie, who is now crying in disbelief.

Her dad is on stage thanking Howie and saying that his daughter always sang to him when he was in the hospital or getting chemo. He was able to battle better and get it through thanks to Maddie’s singing.

We have high hopes for Maddie’s career, and we can’t wait to see her progress.

Watch Maddie’s Golden Buzzer performance in the video below!

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