Emerging singer – Lai Noelle (1 of 11)

Photo credit: YardBarker

Fourteen-year-old Texas singer Lai Noelle (who initially auditioned under the name Lai Noelle) won the first coveted Golden Buzzer of America’s Got Talent Season 21. Judge Simon Cowell smashed the Golden Buzzer after her stunning rendition of Sienna Spiro’s “Die On This Hill” (https://youtu.be/61W2uoaWSqA?si=C-z0sf-VVR3eS4k4).

Lai Noelle, an aspiring young singer from Texas, took the stage with a combination of nerves and remarkable vocal control. 

  • The Song: She sang a soulful cover of “Die on This Hill” by British artist Sienna Spiro. 
  • The Reaction: Her arresting opening note immediately captivated the audience and judges. Sofia Vergara was actually planning to use her Golden Buzzer on Lai, but Simon caught wind of it and hit his own button first. 
  • The Praise: Cowell was completely mesmerized, noting that “words aren’t necessary” before standing up to push the Golden Buzzer, advancing her straight to the Live Shows.