Gabriel Henrique had barely finished singing before the America’s Got Talent audience was on its feet. The Brazilian singer delivered a breathtaking rendition of Whitney Houston’s “Run To You” that left all four judges impressed—and ultimately earned him a Golden Buzzer from Sofia Vergara.
The unforgettable audition took place during the Tuesday, August 1 episode of America’s Got Talent Season 18, which continued a season already packed with memorable performances and Golden Buzzer moments.
For 27-year-old Gabriel, the appearance was particularly meaningful. It was his first time in the United States, and because he did not speak English well, he arrived onstage alongside an interpreter.
“It’s my first time here in the United States and I’m just realizing a dream to be here, to sing for you guys here,” Gabriel said before beginning his audition.
Gabriel takes on a Whitney Houston classic
Gabriel chose “Run To You,” Whitney Houston’s 1992 hit from the blockbuster film The Bodyguard.
The song is famously demanding, particularly because of the soaring high notes associated with Houston’s performance. Gabriel nevertheless took on the challenge with confidence, producing a powerful vocal performance that quickly captivated both the judges and the audience.
By the end of the audition, the entire room had risen to applaud him.
Heidi Klum was especially impressed, comparing Gabriel’s voice to two legendary singers.
“If Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey had a baby, it would be Gabriel!” she said. “I mean, wow. You are incredible!”
Howie Mandel admitted that Gabriel’s voice had caught him completely off guard.
“I did not expect that voice to come out,” he said.
Simon Cowell was equally enthusiastic, simply describing the performance as “amazing.”
Sofia Vergara delivers the Golden Buzzer
The judges were unanimous in their decision to send Gabriel through to the next stage of the competition.
But Sofia Vergara had something more in mind.
Vergara told Gabriel that she had been waiting all season to hear a performance that was both “very beautiful and very heartfelt.” Clearly moved by what she had just heard, she decided to give him her Golden Buzzer.
“How spectacular!” Sofia told him. “You had us dying over here!”
The Golden Buzzer meant Gabriel would advance in the competition in spectacular fashion, turning an already impressive audition into one of the standout moments of the season.
Gabriel was the final judge-selected Golden Buzzer
Gabriel’s audition also marked an important moment in Season 18’s Golden Buzzer lineup.
At that point, six of the season’s planned seven Golden Buzzers had been awarded. Earlier in the competition, Heidi Klum pressed her buzzer for blind singer Lavender Darcangelo, while Howie Mandel awarded his to dance group Murmuration.
Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer went to blind singer Putri Ariani, and host Terry Crews used his for the Atlanta Drum Academy.
The first-ever Audience Golden Buzzer was awarded to South African singers Mzansi Youth Choir for their tribute to the late Season 16 contestant Nightbirde.
Gabriel became the sixth act to receive a Golden Buzzer from the season’s seven available opportunities, with the Group Golden Buzzer from the judges still to be awarded.
His emotional Whitney Houston cover had already earned him a standing ovation. Sofia Vergara’s Golden Buzzer made sure the performance would be remembered as one of the season’s defining auditions.