AGT Act Stephanie Rainey’s Emotional Ballad Had Sofia Vergara Wiping Away Tears (2024)

Stephanie Rainey’s hauntingly beautiful song about loss struck a chord with the America’s Got Talent audience and had Judge Sofia Vergara wiping away tears.

How to Watch

Watch America’s Got Talent Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and next day on Peacock.

“Stephanie, it was such a beautiful, heartfelt song,” Vergara told her. “You can tell what you went through. It was very simple and perfect.”

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The song captivated the audience and earned Rainey the votes she needed to move forward in the talent competition after Judge Simon Cowell declared it the best new song he’s heard all year “by a mile.”

What to Know About Stephanie Rainey’s “Please Don’t Go”

The Irish singer created the powerful “moment” on stage by sharing a song with deeply personal roots.

As she shared with the Judges, her original song, titled “Please Don’t Go,” was written in honor of her nephew, who died just one day shy of his first birthday when she was a teenager.

“It took me a long time to write a song about it,” she admitted. “Honestly, I was about to give up music, so I was like I want to make something for me that I believe in, so this song means more to me than I can actually, like, even describe.”

The 36-year-old confessed she’s had “kind of a roller coaster career” as a singer. One of the largest peaks came after she wrote the song years ago and decided to create a video to accompany the heartbreaking ballad.

“I guess it’s about my experience of grief, and what it’s like,” she told entertainment blog Greeblehaus. “I asked my friends and family who I knew had lost different people to come and take part in the music video. We interviewed everybody, and got them to answer certain questions about what they’d say to their loved one, or what it was like when they lost them – all that kind of stuff. We ended up with this amazing video. And the day I put it out, it just went completely viral. It was a million views the first day.”

With lyrics like “I'll hold your hand till it goes cold/I'll hold my tears until you go/With all the life that leaves your bones/It soaks the purpose from my own,” the ballad pulls at the heart strings and takes the listener deep inside Rainey’s raw grief.

So lay yourself down on my chest/'Cause I know how to hold you best/I'll keep you through these last few breaths/And kiss and love you till the end,” the song continues. “Ohhh, ohh, oh/Please don't go.”

After the viral success of the video, Rainey signed a record deal.

“Yeah, it was really, really crazy,” she told the blog in 2021. “I think anybody who’s ever had a viral video will tell you that it’s the most bizarre thing that can ever happen. I mean, I had writers calling me up asking me if they could share the video. I was like, ‘I don’t know… maybe?’”

But it wasn’t the ticket to industry success that she’d been hoping for.

“I think I probably didn’t fully know who I was back when I signed that deal,” Rainey told the judges. “The journey from then until now has been hard. It’s a tough industry, you know? You have to be resilient and I think sometimes when the downs come you have to be willing to kind of pick yourself back up and so here I am.”

Rainey decided to take one more chance by bringing the song to AGT.

What Did the Judges Say about "Please Don't Go"?

The move paid off and the Judges were blown away by the heart wrenching and honest lyrics.

“Very few acts move people and that was one of the most relatable, emotional moments we’ve had on Season 19, so thank you,” Judge Howie Mandel praised her.

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Judge Heidi Klum added that she thought Rainey’s voice “sounded amazing” on the AGT stage.

“It was just a real, special moment,” she said. “Well done.”

But the song resonated with Cowell the most.

“Of all the new songs I’ve heard this year, this is the best by a mile,” he told her. “Even though it’s about something really sad, it’s real and your voice is beautiful. A lot of people are going to resonate with that song and you. I absolutely loved this.”

After Rainey easily secured the four “yes” votes necessary to move her forward in the competition, Cowell came onto the stage to offer her some final parting words.

“That was what I call a moment,” he said. ““That song is so beautiful. Thank you so much for coming over.”

To find out how Rainey will fare in the competition, watch America’s Got Talent Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC or available streaming on Peacock the next day.

AGT Act Stephanie Rainey’s Emotional Ballad Had Sofia Vergara Wiping Away Tears (2024)

FAQs

Who won season 11 of AGT? ›

The eleventh season was won by singer and ukuleleist Grace VanderWaal, with mentalist duo The Clairvoyants finishing second, and magician Jon Dorenbos placing third. During its broadcast, the season averaged around 11.44 million viewers.

How long has Simon been on AGT? ›

Simon Cowell, creator of America's Got Talent and the Got Talent franchise, is primarily a judge on the British international version of the franchise. He has operated as a judge on AGT since May 2016.

Who judges America's Got Talent? ›

The 9-year-old Tampa, Florida, native wowed judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel and beloved host Terry Crews with her soulful rendition of Ike and Tina Turner's "River Deep —Mountain High" in the July 2 airing of the show.

What is Sophia's last name that plays on America's Got Talent? ›

SOFIA VERGARA: America's Got Talent judge - NBC.com.

Who is the most famous AGT winner? ›

Terry Fator has been one of the most successful winners in “AGT” history, with his singing ventriloquist impressions act finding great popularity in Las Vegas. In 2008 he signed a five-year deal with the Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip, where he performed on a nightly basis.

What is Simon Cowell's illness? ›

As well as throbbing head pain, many people suffer other symptoms such as feeling sick, being sick and increased sensitivity to light or sound. Aside from medications, studies indicate that individuals with photophobia, or sensitivity to light, may find relief with migraine glasses, ones like Cowell sported.

Why is Simon Cowell wearing red lens glasses? ›

Simon Cowell wears red glasses to prevent migraines. He also suffers with photophobia and acute light sensitivity. The red-tinted glasses are designed for people with migraines and are said to cost between £20 and £300. However the NHS does not suggest wearing them as a potential aid.

Who will be the judges on AGT this year? ›

A big change this upcoming season involves the golden buzzers. Judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel will each have two for use during auditions. Get ready for golden buzzers galore this season of "America's Got Talent."

Who currently hosts America's got talent? ›

Terry Crews

By 2019, a whole new group joined the cast, including now-host Crews. The actor, who currently hosts The Champions iteration of the NBC talent competition show, took over for Banks when Union and Hough stepped in to take over for Mel B and Klum as judges.

What is the golden buzzer on America's Got Talent? ›

A Golden Buzzer is a special feature on America's Got Talent that allows judges to send an act directly to the live shows, bypassing lower levels of the competition. In past seasons, each judge and host received one chance to use the Golden Buzzer per season.

Why is Sofia Vergara not on AGT All Stars? ›

Parade reports that Vergara is expected to be back for Season 18 of America's Got Talent, but she wasn't available for the All Stars spin-off as she had "committed to an acting job." Who got a Golden Buzzer on 'America's Got Talent: All-Stars' last night?

What does Sofia Vergara do now? ›

Vergara has been a host on America's Got Talent since 2020. Vergara has been married to actor Joe Manganiello since November 2015. Vergara shares son Manolo with ex-husband Joe Gonzalez, to whom she was married from 1991 to 1993. Sofía Vergara and Son Manolo Pose Together at Launch of Their Culinary Brand in L.A.

How much is Sofia Vergara paid for America's Got Talent? ›

Forbes reported that Vergara earned $10 million per year as a judge when she joined the show in February 2020 for the fifth season, boosting her overall net worth to $180 million and earning her title as the highest-paid actress in 2022.

Where is Brian Justin Crum now? ›

BJC is a singer-songwriter currently creating in Los Angeles. He is known for his soaring vocals and emotional storytelling.

How far did Loren Allred get on AGT? ›

Loren Allred was a singer who competed on America's Got Talent: Fantasy League, competing on Simon Cowell's team. She was eliminated in the Semifinals, finishing her night in 2nd place.

Did Marcelito Pomoy win America's Got Talent? ›

Marcelito Pomoy was a singer from AGT: The Champions 2. He finished the competition in 4th place.

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