America’s Got Talent 2023: Brazil’s Gabriel Henrique’s Whistle Register is Golden Buzzer Worthy
America’s Got Talent auditions return after a week off to air a clip show featuring Simon Cowell’s Top 16 Got Talent Auditions. This week’s performances featured many singers as well as some inspirational acts. One of those talented singers is Brazilian Gabriel Henrique who caught Sofia Vergara’s Golden Buzzer. (Read our Recap)
Gabriel introduces himself to the judges panel before saying “I don’t speak English.” Howie Mandel argues that he does, but he says he knows very little. It’s his first time in the United States, adding that coming to the states is his “dream.” Heidi Klum asks if he has any pets, because Simon Cowell loves pets. Gabrielle shares the sad story that his dog Billy is lost after escaping a few weeks ago.
Impressive whistle tones
Gabriel tackles the difficult 90’s pop song, “Run to You” by Whitney Houston and takes it head-on. Heidi and Sofia note his nerves before starting. He definitely seemed nervous in the first verse as some runs felt a little rushed and not perfectly executed. Nevertheless his tone still shone. He really hit his stride as he attacked the chorus with the signature head voice notes and belts. Additionally, he added a few whistle notes to his phrasing. He didn’t hit every note spot-on, but it’s very impressive for a male to hit that register regardless. This song pick was a very smart choice for an audition. Even if it didn’t reveal his full self as an artist, it definitely showed his technical ability and that he has oodles of it.
The judging panel stood up immediately to give Gabriel a standing ovation. Heidi says, “if Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey had a baby, it would be Gabriel.” Howie said, “you sound like the best and finest pop diva there ever was.” Simon said, “I really like you. You are just so interesting. I could tell you’ve sang in church, and you don’t know how good you are.”
Sofia Vergara hits her Golden Buzzer for Gabriel
Sofia called his voice and energy “beautiful” and the performance “spectacular. She said he is what she was waiting for. She halts the vote, giving Gabriel the golden buzzer as Whitney’s “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” plays in the triumphant moment. Sofia says, “How spectacular, you had us dying over here,” as she noted how much they liked his audition. Gabriel is stunned by the moment.
My three favorite auditions of the night came from singers. Gabriel’s whistle register was wowing, pizza hut manager Summer Rios was pop perfection, and Kylie Frey may have one of the best country voices to ever grace the AGT stage. Zion Clark showcased great strength and Duo Acero’s acrobatic skill joins a great group of acrobats that we’ve seen this season.
