21-year-old 'America's Got Talent' audience member brought to tears as mom surprise-nominates her to audition
On America's Got Talent on Tuesday, a mom brought on the waterworks when she nominated her 21-year-old daughter to audition on the show — completely unbeknownst to her daughter, Anna Wilson.
Partway through the episode of the talent competition show, a producer could be heard explaining the situation to host Terry Crews, who gamely played along. The mother, who said her name is Carrie, then went up on stage, much to the shock of her daughter.
"I'm actually here surprising my daughter," the mother began from the stage, when Simon Cowell asked who she is. The camera panned to Wilson, who was shown wiping tears from her face. "She thinks we're here for a VIP experience in the audience, but I nominated Anna to audition here today."
Anna started visibly sobbing, as the audience started loudly screaming their support. "Good thing she looks so happy," Cowell joked.
As Anna walked to the stage, panelists Mel B and Sofia Vergara kept it real, with Mel joking, "I'd be so mad at my mom," and Vergara quipping, "I'd kill her."
Carrie and Anna hugged, and then Anna told the panel she really had no idea her mom was going to nominate her and she felt "confused" in the moment. Cowell kindly told her to go backstage, "throttle your mom," and then take a few minutes to prepare something to perform.
An hour later, after telling Crews that she "feels good" and was ready to go, Anna went back out onstage. Creating a "full circle moment," she told the panel she would be performing a song she always dedicates to her mom, "Make You Feel My Love."
Part way through the performance, of course, Cowell had to ruin the moment, and cut her off because the song "was a bit boring," which prompted boos from the audience. Luckily, she had a second song in mind, Maren Morris' "My Church."
After gathering herself, Anna nailed it, much to the delight of the audience and the panel. Vergara told her, "That was beautiful. Simon always is right. I know it was nerve-wracking to be stopped in the middle of a song, but usually when he does that it's because he knows there is potential, and you definitely, definitely have potential."
In the end, Howie Mandel, Vergara, and Cowell voted to give her another chance, and it all made for one of the most dramatic and emotional moments on the show's landmark 20th season so far. Watch the full spectacle in the video clip, above.
Elsewhere in the episode, a girl group delighted the audience so much they insisted the group get a golden buzzer, and Crews came out onstage to oblige.
America's Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The Resident Alien Series Finale Is Tonight. Here's Where You Can Watch.
The Resident Alien finale is here — but Harry Vanderspeigle (Alan Tudyk) and the Patience gang have one final mystery to solve before this story can conclude. At the end of last week's episode, Season 4, Episode 9, "Tunnel Vision," Asta Twelvetrees (Sara Tomko) woke from a dead sleep to gasp out a message: "They're here." Was it just a bad dream? Or was Asta delivering some kind of prophecy? Read on to learn more about when you can watch the final chapter unfold. Is a new episode of Resident Alien on tonight, Friday, August 8, 2025? Yes, a new episode of Resident Alien premieres tonight, Friday, August 8, 2025, on USA Network and SYFY. What time does the Resident Alien finale come on tonight, Friday, August 8, 2025? Resident Alien Season 4, Episode 10, "The End is Here," premieres on USA Network and SYFY tonight at 10/9c. It is the final episode of the series, which was announced to be ending ahead of the cast and creator's panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2025. The Resident Alien cast & creator's message to fans ahead of the finale Ever since the Season 4 finale was announced as the series finale, series creator Chris Sheridan and the Resident Alien cast have been quick to thank fans for their love over the years. RELATED: "I don't believe that we were working for seven years [with four seasons] on-air from luck," Tomko said at SDCC. "I think there's an incredible chemistry as a cast and crew, but mostly, it is because you watched us and you loved us." And the love continued when USA Insider spoke with Sheridan and the cast after the panel. We asked them what they hope fans will take away from the series and remember most about their characters. "I hope the people, when they think of Resident Alien, they think about laughter and joy," Tudyk said. "There's a heart element involved. It's not just 'ha ha,' but there's a warm feeling about it. Feel-good laughter." "What I'm hoping they remember is how happy it made them," Sheridan, who created, directed, and executive produced the series, said. "How the laughter that they had during this show, they took into work the next day, and I hope it gave them happiness. I hope it changed their lives for the better a little bit." For more responses from the cast, read our story . The Resident Alien series finale premieres tonight on USA Network and SYFY at 10/9c. The finale will be available to stream on Peacock one week after it airs. You can watch every episode of Resident Alien right here. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Stuttering John' Reacts to Howard Stern Contract Rumors
Amid rumors that legendary shock jock Howard Stern may not return to SiriusXM at the conclusion of his contract, one of the show's most well-known characters has shared his reaction. John Melendez, also known as "Stuttering John" during his days on The Howard Stern Show, took to X to share his thoughts on the rumor that Stern's contract may not be renewed. A report from Jessica Finn of The U.S. Sun revealed that, according to a source, Stern's asking price may simply be too high for SiriusXM to pay because he's "no longer worth the investment." The report also shares the opinion of another source, who believes that if SiriusXM doesn't offer Stern a big contract, it would have more to do with his political leanings than his ratings. "If Sirius isn't going to give Stern a good offer, I don't think it would have anything to do with his ratings," the source said in the report. "It's more likely everything to do with the political climate." Melendez addressed that particular rumor in his post on social media. "If Howard Stern is getting canceled because of his political leanings, then we are not becoming a Fascist nation... We are one!" Melendez wrote. Melendez worked on The Howard Stern Show from 1988 to 2004 before moving on to work on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. "I didn't want to, you know, hear Howard in my head every day and you know talking to us on the show, at least to me, and saying I'm worthless, I'm not funny," Melendez said of his departure back in 2018. Melendez started out as an intern on Stern's show but quickly became an on-air personality and was most well-known for his confrontational interviews with celebrities. Stern began his radio career in the 1970s but became an icon while his show was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He moved to the satellite radio company in 2006 and became the face of the platform for many years, which led to multiple big-money contracts, including his current deal that is reportedly worth $500 million over five years. But Stern's popularity is believed to have waned significantly over the years, which is why SiriusXM may be hesitant to pay him big money. A report from the Daily Mail's Eve Buckland and Adam S. Levi suggests Stern could sign a one- or two-year deal but also notes that Stern has considered retirement. If Stern doesn't stay with SiriusXM, the expectation is that he will sell his catalog of shows to the company.'Stuttering John' Reacts to Howard Stern Contract Rumors first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 6, 2025 Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Celebrity Cruises adds four innovative new cruise ship venues
Celebrity Cruises adds four innovative new cruise ship venues originally appeared on TravelHost. With its newest ship, Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity Cruises is on a mission to make the onboard journey just as exciting as the destinations the ship will visit. When Celebrity Xcel begins its inaugural season of Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale beginning in November, passengers on board will get to enjoy a variety of new cruise ship spaces and experiences that invite both relaxation and cruise line's goal? To make sure its passengers never ask, 'are we there yet?' Through several brand-new venues, Celebrity Xcel will elevate the onboard experience with more ways escape and unwind, as well as new ways to play and shop at Xcel will feature new poolside experiences, retro arcade The new Celebrity Pool Club on board Celebrity Xcel will introduce a new pool valet to the Celebrity Cruises experience offering poolside chilled towels, card games, sunscreen, and storage for personal items, plus more shade with a contemporary rooftop design. Passengers will also have the opportunity to upgrade to a private cabana with dedicated service. On the last sea day of each Caribbean itinerary, Celebrity Pool Club will offer an all-day Poolest Day Ever party featuring island vibes with Caribbean-inspired live music and DJ-spun favorites, pop-up shows, and pool party will also debut exclusive new poolside drinks from refreshing Paloma Fresca's served in mini-Patron bottles to fresh coconuts with an optional rum splash. The poolside fun will continue after the sun sets with an all-new Shine the Night poolside party. Another vibrant new adults-oriented space, Attic at The Club, will offer passengers the chance to play retro games like Pac-Man, NBA Showtime, Golden Tee, and more. Open 24/7, the neon-lit lounge will also offer pool, darts, foosball, and shuffleboard. Private event space will be available to book for group activities like karaoke and golf simulation Xcel will offer expanded spa, unique flagship store Passengers seeking relaxation will be able to experience new ways to unwind on board Celebrity Xcel in the cruise line's most expansive spa yet. The spa's thermal suite will include the cruise line's first Hydra Room, a water-focused wellness experience featuring a warm, bubbling pool with massaging jets and soothing heated lounge chairs. The spa on Celebrity Xcel will also debut a new outdoor Vitamin D Deck at the front of the ship, available exclusively to thermal suite guests. The spa will offer over 120 treatments and feature a new Skin Lab and bubbles bar, too. Another highlight of Celebrity Xcel's new spaces is the cruise line's first Celebrity Flagship store, a unique retail experience that will feature interactive exhibits celebrating all things Celebrity and showcase vintage memorabilia. The store will sell customizable cruise keepsakes like water bottles, hats, and cocktail kits that can be engraved, embroidered or four new venues are part of seven brand-new spaces debuting on Celebrity Xcel. Other new spaces include The Bazaar, an ever-transforming venue designed to bring destinations on board, and Mediterranean al fresco restaurant Bora. The new ship will also present the cruise line's most extensive entertainment lineup yet. Passengers can help the cruise line put the final touches on these new spaces by joining Xcel 'Dream Makers,' a community open to all who want to test, try, and vote on Celebrity Xcel's onboard experiences. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Aug 9, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword