America’s Got Talent 2025: Veteran Benjamin Hightower charms the panel with a cover of Chappel Roan’s ‘Pink Pony Club’
America’s Got Talent moves on to Auditions week 3 (June 10) with a performance from Benjamin Hightower. The singer explains to the judges–Howie Mandel, Mel B., Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell–that after 7 years in the military, he left the service to follow his musical dreams.
As his nervous mother sits in the audience watching, Benjamin sat at an electric piano to sing a cover of Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” It’s the song ALL the kids are covering!
His look and vibe gives off major Benson Boone vibes. Dudes sporting curly hair and moustaches have become a real thing. It may even replace the clean shaven broccoli head look!
In any case, Benjamin sings, boasting a sweet, high tenor as he flips the song without changing pronouns. He’s a Pink Pony Girl in heels! And why not? He literally sings to his mom in the audience Simon looks skeptical at first while Sofia rocks out.
“I think you’ve got a great heart”
Howie spoke first, calling the cover choice “A great choice of music.” He loves the Chappell Roan version, but believes Benjamin’s version could also be a hit. “It was beautiful, it was great.” Benjamin pointed out that he’s actually from Tennessee and that his mom is “right there” in the audience.
“I loved it,” Sofia chimed in. “It was amazing. The perfect audition. This is what you’re supposed to be doing.” She added that the audience loved Benjamin and so did she. “I think America is going to love you.”
“You’ve got a certain raspiness and vibrato I haven’t really heard before,” observed Mel. B. “Your whole look and energy is fire.”
“I really like you,” Simon gushed. “I think your whole story is really interesting.” When Simon saw the keyboard setup, he was not expecting much. “It’s going to be something like ‘Stand by Me’ or something we’ve heard a billion times.” He added, “When you do somebody else’s song and you make it your version, that’s smart.” Simon finished, “I think you’ve got a great heart.”
The panel gave Benjamin four yeses and an opportunity to move on to the live shows.
Afterward, Simon said that he felt SURE the song would go viral. “That was unexpected,” he said. “Everyone does the obvious.” An overwhelmed Benjamin noted to host Terry Crews backstage that “The little kid who grew up in Tennessee” would be “so proud” if he could see him now.
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8 pm ET/PT on NBC streaming on Peacock next day.
