America’s Got Talent: Opera Prodigy Victory, Golden Buzzer First (Video)

Victory Brinker of Latrobe, Pennsylvania not only impressed on America’s Got Talent Audition 6 episode Tuesday night, but impressed me with her track record (Full audition recap HERE). First, she sang the National Anthem at a Utah Jazz game at 6 years old and was on Little Big Shots as a 7-year-old. She can sing in seven languages, and at two she was memorizing CDs by American Idol Season 5’s Mandisa. Victory is quite the talent.

On Tuesday’s solid night of talent on America’s Got Talent, the show made history when the 9-year-old opera singer received a unanimous group golden buzzer from Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Terry Crews. While I didn’t think it was the most impressive audition of the season, it was still up there as one of my favorite opera vocals, as it was showy enough, but not over the top.

The judges notes a bird is in the building as Victory prepares to walk up on stage. Victory declares that singing makes her “feel happy, happy, and happy.” Her mom says that she sings “morning, noon, and nighttime.”  Backstage, Victory tells Terry that she believes she can win the whole thing. And her mom notes that this is her dream and that she is “beyond proud” of her.

Victory charms the panel

Victory seems nervous as she approaches the stage, but her personality is on full display as the judges ask their typical questions. She simply states where she was from, and when Simon asks, “And?” she replies with a smirk, answering “And what?” She explains to Simon that she is “Exnervous” – a combination of excited and nervous.

What would she do with the million dollars? She would buy Simon a rainbow shirt with glitter on it because he only wears “white, gray, and black.”

Victory then sings “Juliet’s Waltz” in a very angelic manner. She is technically sound. Her voice is mature while remaining young sounding. As I often feel with opera music on the show, emotion seems a bit lacking, but I like how she does not overdo it with bells and whistles on the song. She simply delivers.

Victory makes history

The audition did seem a bit staged–from the judges acting like the bird just came in when it was shown prior to the audition, and Simon calling Terry over for the group golden buzzer. But still, it was a great moment for Victory. Prior to the golden buzzer, Howie described the performances as unexpected and “angelic.”  Heidi called her “incredible,” while  Sofia said she was a “star.” Simon called her “brave.” The panel then gave Victory the group golden buzzer after Simon said that they weren’t going to give her a yes, noting that this had never been done before.

The audition fit in nicely with a very solid night of talent. None of my favorite acts came from tonight, but there was a lot of deserving acts. My favorites were famed YouTuber Madilyn Bailey, natural comedian Cam Bertrand, Tik Tok baton twirler Joel Claudio, kid dancer Breez Carver, and my other feature of the week, crooner Matt Mauser.