Young African Choir Stuns AGT Audience and Judges with Their Powerful Performance

On Tuesday’s episode of America’s Got Talent the judges and audience were introduced to a group of young people all the way from South Africa. They left everyone stunned by their amazing performance.

One of judge Simon Cowell’s favorite acts took to America’s Got Talent (AGT) stage this week. He and other judges Gabrielle Union, Howie Mandel, and Julianne Hough were introduced to the Ndlovu Youth Choir from Limpopo, South Africa.

Speaking to the judges and audience the choir members revealed that being on the AGT stage was their first time being in America. A young male member remarked that “It’s like I’m dreaming right now, wow.”

He further explained how growing up in their small village was hard and came with “a lot of difficulties.” Another member shared how their country “has a lot of poverty.”

“We’ve always been waiting for a choir like this."

Describing how dire their situation was another choir teammate explained how “Most of the homes do not have running water, it’s really difficult.” The choir director Ralf Schmitt revealed how he created the group in 2009.

Speaking further on the challenges they faced he shared how many of the children’s “parents passed away.” That meant they had to look after their younger siblings all on their own.

Schmitt explained:

"So to try and help those orphans and vulnerable children, we started a choir. When they join us, many of the kids have the weight of the world on their shoulders and their problems feel insurmountable.”

Speaking backstage he teared up as he shared:

“They come from one of the poorest communities in the world. Yet, these kids manage to lift themselves up. To see them standing on the stage of America’s Got Talent tonight.”

He confessed that he couldn’t help but be filled with pride for his group. The director shared that their “dream is to let children know that just because you’re born into poverty doesn’t mean that you are poverty.”

The choir then astounded everyone in attendance with a lively rendition of the song “My African Dream.” Union was so moved during their performance that she stood up with the rest of the crowd.

After the choir’s performance, they received a standing ovation. Union told them, “From the second you walked out, I think this whole place was rooting for you and you did not disappoint.”

She praised them for giving others hope and thanked them. Hough confessed to the group that she felt their "authenticity and joy” and was “transported” to where they came from.

Mandel was pleased that the choir had come all the way from Africa to share their culture and talent. He commended them on their dress code and shared that he loved “the color” and “sound.”

Cowell wrapped up the judging by adding:

“We’ve always been waiting for a choir like this, something we’ve never heard before. Your energy was literally bouncing off to me right there, it was great. You, I’m going to remember.”

With four “yes” votes, the group went through to the next round and some of the choir members could be seen crying tears of joy as they celebrated.

So far, Hough is the only judge who hasn’t pressed the Golden Buzzer. After the audience got to hear Ben Trigger’s story, it was possible that he would get it.

Trigger is a dancer who had been bullied as a child and later dislocated his knee at the age of 18 destroying his dance dreams. The contestant’s performance turned out to be quite fun when he stripped down to a leotard and tassels.

He got off the stage and went to dance right by the judges and ended his performance by accidentally falling on the Golden Buzzer. Confetti fell and the audience cheered but the Buzzer didn’t count this time.

However, he made it to the next round with four “yeses.” America’s Got Talent airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.