Eleven acts took the stage, but it was Peoria, IL, native Liv Warfield who stole the show with her powerful rendition of “The Unexpected,” a song written for her by Prince .
Warfield, who had already made waves with her Golden Buzzer-winning audition, brought an emotional intensity to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium that left the judges in awe.
Backed by her horn-laden band, she delivered a performance that Simon Cowell described as “unbelievable.” “If this was the Olympics for singing, you would have won the gold medal,” Cowell said. “It felt to me like all those years you’ve been climbing the ladder to where you want to be, it all came out in those three minutes.”
Sofia Vergara was equally impressed, calling Warfield’s performance “Perfection,” and adding, “Your outfit, your voice, the song—it’s amazing to have an artist like you here with us.”
Howie Mandel, a self-proclaimed Prince fan, offered his own high praise. “I’m a huge Prince fan, and he knew what he was doing when he gave you this gem. That was a million-dollar performance. America is crazy if they don’t vote for you, that’s your drop-the-mic moment.”
Warfield’s connection to Prince is both deep and personal. As a former member of his New Power Generation, she was mentored by the legendary artist, who not only shaped her career but also wrote “The Unexpected” specifically for her.
In a heartfelt pre-performance interview, Warfield reflected on her journey: “I’ve been grinding for a long time. Backing up Prince was a dream. But I still haven’t reached the heights I know I can reach. The golden buzzer … when I got home I cried in the car … I cried hard. I didn’t think this would be happening. I’m just everyday people.”
The audience’s response was immediate, with fans taking to social media to voice their support. One commenter noted, “Liv is one of the most talented people that AGT introduced to me,” while another added, “The fact she shared a stage with Prince and sang a song he wrote for her—that alone is amazing. You got my vote.”
As the live rounds continue, Warfield stands out as a top contender, with many eagerly awaiting her next performance.
In addition to her success on AGT , Warfield has made notable achievements on the Billboard charts. Her album The Unexpected reached No. 3 on the Top R&B Albums chart in 2014, and her single “Stay – ‘Soul Lifted’” made an impact on Adult R&B Airplay.
Watch Liv Warfield’s America’s Got Talent performance below.
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