Joseph Allen’s friendly smile and positive energy are contagious.
Before he even walked out onto the stage, the audience was primed to love him after seeing his emotional family backstage and hearing about his love of life, motocross, and music.
The youngest of 12 in a blended family, the first song he ever wrote was for his mother.
And he says he always knew that whatever he did in life, he intended to do it well.
“When was the moment that you knew you belonged right here, on America’s Got Talent,” host Terry Crews asked Allen backstage.
His response: “I think the moment I started talking.”
“I see myself as a person that can make a major impact on this world. I just want to see how much of a footprint I can leave on Earth before I leave,” Allen continued.
As he walked out on stage for the 10th anniversary season of the NBC talent show, it was clear he brought quite the fan club with him – but who couldn’t love a young man like this?
Not hoping to skate by on a sad story but pure talent and enthusiasm judges Simon Cowell, Julianne Hough, Gabrielle Union, and Howie Mandel could barely believe the energy in the room before Allen even sung a note.
Luckily, the 21-year-old Texas native and current student in Phoenix, Arizona had the pipes to back it up.
His excellent pitch, soulful voice, and self-styled lyrics left a great impression on the judges.
After his final note, knowing he had a successful audition and hearing the screams of his new (and old) fans, Allen dropped to his knees and broke down in tears.
Then it was time for the judges.
And he even managed to impress Simon!
“You got amazing energy and I like your voice as well. You got a great tone,” Simon Cowell said.
“Look, Joseph, first impressions to me are everything and watching you get the reaction before you even started was astonishing. That was an amazing audition. I loved it.”
Union and Hough echoed the sentiment, Hough wiping away tears after the performance.
But it was Mandel who was the most blown away.
“You walked up with such exuberance and that’s what life is, life is a series of moments. People at home are talking about this moment,” he said as he started to get out of his chair.
No one quite knew what was going on, but Mandel was clearly all in.
“You said, you wanted to leave a footprint. Well, I’m going to give you the footprint that you need to leave.”
And with that, he slammed down his foot on the golden buzzer, sending Allen directly on to the live rounds.
Allen could hardly believe it – it was a dream come true and before Crews rushed onto the stage to give him a bear hug, he dropped to his knees once more in thanks.
Mandel’s “Golden Buzzer” decision is a controversial one for some fans, however. After Kodi Lee earned one a few weeks ago, they are concerned that it shouldn’t be given to another singer and should instead go to another type of performer.
We say it should go to the most talented performers, whoever they are!
Be sure to scroll down below to see the audition everyone is talking about.
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