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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch This ‘Amazing' 23-Year-Old New Orleans Street Performer Get a ‘Life-Changing' Golden Buzzer on 'America's Got Talent'
America's Got Talent has had some memorable singers over the years. And this season's Jourdan Blue is now among them, having made his mark as the second Golden Buzzer awarded for Season 20 of the talent competition. The 23-year-old from New Orleans is a street performer, which he says has given him a lot of cool experiences but is also a struggle. 'I go out and sing from 8 p.m. to 2 or 3 a.m., or until the cops kick me off the street,' he said in a video package. 'That is what I do to provide for my girlfriend and my son. It's hard, but I want to lead by example. I want to show my son [that] you should chase your dreams. I wasn't ready when I had him, but he's taught me there's a lot more to life than I realized.' 🎬 🎬 Jourdan's mother was a cop, and his father was an attorney, which led him to become a rebel. And when he was 16, he ended up on his own, moving from friend's house to friend's house, or sleeping in bathrooms where he worked. 'Until my grandpa found out,' Jourdan explained. 'He drove out there that night and picked me up and said, 'You stay with me now.' I've been with him ever since.' That relationship is so tight that Jourdan called his Grandpappy John before going on stage at AGT and handed the phone to host Terry Crews so that his grandfather could watch his performance. Related: Jourdan explained his living situation to judges Simon Cowell, Mel B, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara, saying his grandfather is a big music listener, which is where his inspiration came from. 'I started street performing in New Orleans because I totally wanted to dive into it,' he said, starting to get emotional. 'As you may remember, at the beginning of the year, there was an attack on New Orleans right on the block where I perform. It made me realize there is so much more to live for. That is what made me choose AGT. I feel this is the best way to level up.' Jourdan chose 'Breakeven' by The Script for his audition. Halfway through, the audience jumped up. And when he concluded, the judges gave him a standing ovation as well, with Simon flashig two thumbs up. 'I mean, I'm in love with you,' Sofia said. 'The hair, the voice, your energy, you're a rock star.' Mel B said, 'It was like I was hearing that song for the first time, which is really hard to do with such a popular song. But your tone and the way you delivered that song was not only pitch perfect but everything perfect, Jourdan. It really was.' Then Simon added, 'You are somebody who lost his way a little bit. But, as you said, through music have now found your way. You have such a distinctive voice, you are so cool, and you feed off the audience. They love you. How you made me feel just then was amazing. Seriously, amazing. Loved it. Loved it.' Then, Howie claimed Jourdan as his own. 'This is Season 20. I've seen dreams come true right where you're standing. Lives change right where you're standing. That stage and that moment can take you anywhere. This is just the beginning of where you can go. You, young man, are going to the Live Shows,' Howie said as he stood up to press the Golden Buzzer. The comic then joined Jourdan on stage, saying, 'I think you're a star. I think your name is going to be on the lips of everybody watching this across the globe.' They were also joined by Jourdan's girlfriend and cute-as-a-button son. America's Got Talent airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Streams next day on This 'Amazing' 23-Year-Old New Orleans Street Performer Get a 'Life-Changing' Golden Buzzer on 'America's Got Talent' first appeared on Parade on May 28, 2025
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Jourdan Blue's emotional performance receives golden buzzer on 'America's Got Talent' season 20 premiere
America's Got Talent kicked off its historic 20th season on Tuesday, May 27, with a gripping and emotional premiere that left viewers and judges deeply moved. With mind-blowing magic and high-energy dance performances, the evening was filled to the brim with talent—but it was Jourdan Blue, a 23-year-old street singer, who took center stage and stole everyone's heart, receiving judge Howie Mandel's Golden Buzzer for a performance that was raw yet inspiring. Jourdan, who performs each night on the streets of New Orleans, opened up about the challenges he faced prior to appearing on the AGT stage. "It's a struggle," he stated. "I sing from 8 p.m. to 2 or 3 a.m. until the cops boot me off the street. It's how I take care of my girlfriend and my son, Jax." He became a father at a young age and said he "wasn't ready" when Jax was born. But being a dad gave him direction. "He's taught me there's a lot more to life than what I realized. I want to lead by example and show my son you should chase your dreams." J by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo ourdan also revealed he had a troubled past despite being raised by a police officer father and a lawyer mother. Kicked out of school as a teen, he found himself homeless at 16, sleeping wherever he could until his grandfather took him in. 'He drove out there that night and picked me up. He said, 'You stay with me now,' and I've been with him ever since.' That love and security enabled Jourdan to redirect his grief into song. But on January 1, 2025, tragedy again befell him—an incident the show has foreshadowed but has yet to disclose fully. The intensity of that loss seemed to drive his performance, which had everyone in awe and reduced Howie to tears. "You don't just sing," Howie declared passionately, before striking the Golden Buzzer. "You live every word, and we live it too. You deserve this." Surrounded by golden confetti, Jourdan Blue took the stage of AGT no longer a mere street singer—but a budding star, whose tale of perseverance, fatherhood, and optimism now inspires an entire nation. Season 20 is off to a start, and if Jourdan's performance is anything to go by what the future holds, America's Got Talent is in for its most memorable season yet.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AGT Video: Singer Jourdan Blue Wins the Judges' Hearts (and a Golden Buzzer) in Season 20 Premiere
After Tuesday's premiere of America's Got Talent, the name on everybody's lips is going to be… Jourdan Blue! More from TVLine Chicago Fire EP Warns CFD Layoffs Will Cause 'A Lot of Turnover' Next Season: 'Everything's Going to Get Shaken Up' The Voice's Season 27 Winner Opens Up About the 'Savior' That Awaited Him After Rehab Chicago Med Is Plotting the Return of Original Cast Member(s) Next Season, EP Reveals - Who Should Come Back? The 23-year-old street performer from New Orleans made a heck of a splash in the Season 20 opener, blowing away the judges — Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Mel B, the last of whom returned to fill Heidi Klum's vacant seat — with a heart-rending performance of The Script's 'Breakeven.' With his incredible voice (and even better hair), Jourdan had the entire audience under his spell; you could hear a pin drop when he finished his audition, which received a standing ovation from all four judges. 'I'm in love with you,' Sofia told him. 'The hair, the voice, the energy — you're a rock star!' And she wasn't the only judge feeling the love. 'I've seen dreams come true right where you're standing … and that stage and that moment can take you anywhere,' Howie says. 'And this is just the beginning!' With that, Jourdan's fate was sealed. Howie smashed his hand down on his Golden Buzzer, sending a storm of confetti falling onto Jourdan, whose girlfriend and baby joined him on stage to share in his incredible moment. Read on for a breakdown of the seven other acts who sailed through the Season 20 premiere, including the recipient of Simon's coveted Golden Buzzer. When you're done, drop a comment with your thoughts on the episode and vote for your favorite acts. The other (technically 'first') Golden Buzzer of Season 20 was given by Simon to this incredible blend of art and technology, which he called 'one of the most beautiful, stunning acts I've seen across all of the Got Talents.' And it was truly a sight to behold, from the changing colors to the physical performers to the otherworldly jungle vibe. It's the kind of show that would be right at home at a Disney theme park, which we mean as the highest of compliments. What began as a high-energy breakdancing performance on the main stage quickly grew into an unexpected event, as the judges turned around to see dozens more dancers in the audience. Suddenly, it was something much more — a symphony of lights, colors and intricate moves. The judges couldn't say enough good things about Team Recycled, that is, except for Mel B. (or 'Ms. Kill-the-Mood,' as Simon called her). 'The choreography at the start was so boring,' she told them. 'If it wasn't for the switch around, I would have just literally turned off.' Fortunately for Team Recycled, they still made it through with three yeses. Inspired at a young age by David Blaine, this magician presented an act built around his daughter's birthday, getting the judges (and even the home audience) involved with an interactive challenge. There's probably a perfectly logical explanation as to how we all ended up with our fingers on that darn red bear, but like most magic tricks, we'd rather not know how the sausage is made. Howie noted that several magicians have won AGT over the years, and that Zak 'went above the bar' as far as he's concerned. The judges didn't know what to expect when Micah set up an ironing board on stage (same!), but they didn't give it a second thought once the young musician started doing his thing. The entire audience was feeling this guy as he rapped his way through an original song, with the judges throwing out words like 'amazing' and 'brilliant.' He celebrated his victory with an equally impressive standing backflip. 'We've seen a lot of contortionists on this show, but you took it to another level,' Sofia told this mystifying performer, whose incredible act made him look like a werewolf mid-transformation. Or someone fully possessed by an evil spirit. Either way, he had everyone in the audience (and maybe an editor watching from home) screaming and covering their eyes. Seriously, did we imagine this guy bending so far backwards that he was able to put his own head into his pants? Or when we jumped rope using *checks tape* his own arms? What. Even. This duo's incredible aerial work would have been impressive enough on its own. Heck, we were just in awe of how good they were on roller skates. But to combine the two?! That's diabolical in the best way, and it resulted in one of the most entrancing (while also difficult to watch) auditions in recent memory. Romantic and terrifying, these two set the bar very high for their follow-up routines, and we can't wait to see what else they've got up their collective sleeve. Mel B may not have been impressed by this 70-year-old sword dancer from Tennessee ('I think you're adorable, you look fantastic… but no!'), but she was definitely in the minority, as Sandy's act got a yes from three out of four judges. Were her back-up dancing besties the most coordinated people? No, but that only added to the overall charm, according to Simon, with Sofia calling the whole thing 'adorable.' Best of TVLine Mrs. Maisel Flash-Forward List: All of Season 5's Futuristic Easter Eggs Yellowjackets Recap: The Morning After Yellowjackets Recap: The First Supper
CBS News
25-02-2025
- General
- CBS News
Hidden in Plain Sight: How kinkofa is preserving Dallas' Black history
Nestled in the heart of Oak Cliff, just south of downtown Dallas, the Tenth Street Historic District is one of the only remaining intact Freedmen's Towns in the country. Founded during the post-Civil War era by formerly enslaved people seeking refuge from racial violence in the South, the community grew into a self-sustaining neighborhood. A Freedmen's Town is considered intact when it retains its original architecture, such as homes and buildings, along with key institutions like a church, school and cemetery. "Tenth Street is pretty unique," said Meshia Rudd-Ridge, co-founder of kinkofa, a digital platform dedicated to preserving Black family histories. "It's both a Dallas landmark district, and it's on the National Register of Historic Places." One significant part of this history is the Oak Cliff Cemetery. Dating back to the 1830s, the cemetery is considered the oldest public cemetery in Dallas County. It holds the history of some of the earliest Black landowners and civic leaders. "It has historically been a segregated cemetery," Meshia said. "There's this line of demarcation where there's these big elaborate headstones at the front. As you're going towards the back, it's like, 'Wait, is this land to bury more people or are there people here?' The white side of the cemetery, there's plots and they're labeled and outlined. Then the Black part of it just said 'African American section.'" This is where kinkofa plays a key role. Using historical records, such as public cemetery and land records, personal family archives, and oral histories, the organization focuses on identifying unmarked graves in the cemetery's African American section. "So far we have 100 plus and growing," Meshia said. "There are 116 that were documented on the cemetery records, and we found 103 that are not so far. We're still definitely not through all of the records yet for the African American section." The Process Meshia and her fellow co-founder, Jourdan Brunson, who is a genealogist, describe themselves as many things: memory workers, creative technologists, and family and community historians. "We may start with a story or a name that we get from somewhere," Jourdan said. "From there, I might want to find that person's name in records like the Census or birth, marriage, and death records, to learn more about their family and where they lived." One place they often find a name or story is in the newspaper. The duo cites both The Dallas Express and The Dallas Morning News as crucial sources for stitching together a clearer picture of life in the community 100 years ago, comparing announcements in the papers to social media posts. "You can see who was hosting a party that week, or what was happening at church, who was sick, who had a funeral, who was born," Meshia said. Another vital source for Kinkofa is oral histories, which they say is how Black communities often document their stories. "Oral history is just the way a lot of Black folks get started," Jourdan said. "Sometimes we're family historians or community historians without even realizing it. And sometimes it might be all we have, just telling and keeping those stories alive." The Cemetery Between the 1940s and early 1950s, the cemetery fell into a state of disrepair, which may explain why there are so many unmarked graves on the grounds. "Some folks, they might've had headstones at one point," Meshia said. "Some of them might be buried under the earth, and we don't even know." At the cemetery, we met with archaeologist and Remembering Black Dallas volunteer Dr. Katie Cross, who is helping organize cemetery cleanups, mapping the cemetery, and coordinating with other archaeologists to do ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys. "Ground-penetrating radar looks for anomalies under the surface," Dr. Cross said. "It's a noninvasive technique used to look for unmarked graves. Because of the way you dig a grave, where you take out the soil and then you put it back, it comes up looking differently than the dirt around it." In addition to GPR, Dr. Cross said the team will also use drones and mapping techniques. This combination will help build a better picture of the layout of the African American section, allowing for the best guess at where unmarked graves might be located. "Even if we don't know who those people are," Dr. Cross said. "We at least know where people are. Even though we may not be able to match some of the death records Meshia and Jourdan have found with an unmarked grave, we can still commemorate those people in some way." One part of Kinkofa's project is the potential creation of a wall of names along the back side of the cemetery at 10th Street and Clarendon Street. This wall would offer a space to honor and see the names of ancestors, even if specific headstones cannot be pinpointed. The Challenges One of the biggest hurdles for the cemetery project is the cleanup. The cemetery, and the community as a whole, have suffered from neglect, illegal dumping, and encroaching urban development. Most significantly, I-35, built in 1959, cut the west side of the neighborhood, resulting in the demolition of more than 100 homes and businesses. The stark contrast is demonstrated in Kinkofa's first project in 2024, "If Tenth Street Could Talk." In 2023, Dallas began construction on Halperin Park between Ewing and Marsalis, which is aimed at reconnecting the community that was severed by the highway. Phase one is slated to open in early 2026. "It's been made clear this area is a thoroughfare," Meshia said. "Now anybody is just coming through here and they're like, 'This place looks like a dump, I'll throw my trash everywhere.' But I want people to know this place isn't a dump. I'm almost completely disheveled when I pull up and there's a lot of trash here. Seeing headstones broken and toppled over, trees and branches everywhere—I have mixed emotions." The challenge is not just cleaning up the space, but reclaiming the memories and legacy of those whose lives were displaced and forgotten. "There's a lack of record keeping," Meshia said. "A lot of people were forced out of their homes over time. The construction of the highway and other racial inequities pushed people away from their homes, so they lost things." The cemetery's neglect represents the community's fight to preserve its identity amidst ongoing systemic forces. "From when Tenth Street was founded through when the highway was built, it was the city neglected," Dr. Cross said. "They refused to see the significance of these places and I feel like that still carries over today. It leads to this forgetting by our city, not by the people who know about it, but by the broader public." Preservation & Education With no library or museum in the community, Meshia referred to Tenth Street as a "real-life museum," emphasizing how the neighborhood itself is a living testament to the area's rich history and the critical importance of educating people about its legacy. "A lot of folks don't know they're descendants from here or why this place is important," Jourdan said. "Without education, communities like Tenth Street no longer exist, so it's important to preserve the history of Tenth Street and Tenth Street as it is today." Standing next to Anthony Boswell's family plot, Meshia shared how he is known as the founder of Tenth Street-after purchasing the first lots of what would eventually form the heart of this vibrant community. He was joined by his brother Hillary Boswell and Noah Penn, two other notable figures in the area's early development. This is only the beginning of many untold stories that reside within the cemetery grounds. "There's an interest in discovering Black history," Jourdan said. "And Tenth Street is a hub of Black history for Dallas and for the world." One way to explore and learn more about Dallas' Black history is through Kinkofa's newly launched Black History Map. Utilizing AI technology and the data they've gathered, the interactive map allows users to uncover stories about Black history across the country while also offering a platform to contribute their own personal histories. How to Get Involved The story of Tenth Street is one of resilience, reclamation, and the ongoing fight to preserve a community's history in the face of systemic erasure. As Kinkofa continues its work to document, preserve, and honor the memories of those laid to rest in Oak Cliff Cemetery, they want to emphasize that this work requires help from everyone. "It's going to take all of us for our history to be preserved," Meshia said. "This is everybody's history, it's not just Black people's history. We're not going to exist in the future if we're not working together." Educating yourself is one way that Kinkofa said you can start getting involved. They also suggest listening to the community about their vision for Tenth Street. Donations are also accepted—whether that's time, money, or skills. To learn more about how to get involved, preservation efforts, and Black history, visit Kinkofa or Remembering Black Dallas.
