America's Got Talent judge Sofia Vergara hit her Golden Buzzer for 27-year-old Brazilian singer Gabriel Henrique during the Season 18 episode that aired Tuesday night on NBC.

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Gabriel performed a powerful rendition of "Run To You" by Whitney Houston -- which showed off his impressive vocal range and falsetto -- and was awarded Sofia's Golden Buzzer. The singer will therefore automatically advance to America's Got Talent's Season 18 live shows.

When Gabriel first walked onstage, he admitted that he doesn't speak English well and so he brought a language translator with him.

"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 through his English translator.

After Gabriel performed his song, America's Got Talent judges Sofia, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel all gave him a standing ovation.

"Gabriel, if Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey had a baby, it would be Gabriel!" Heidi announced. "It's like Whitney singing and then [your upper register] is like Mariah singing. I mean, wow. You are incredible!"

Howie was also floored by Gabriel's unique sound.

"I did not expect that voice to come out of you!" Howie told the AGT contestant. "You sound like the best and finest pop diva there ever was."

Howie added, "I would imagine people watching this now in the other room, they're going to go, 'Did you hear that song? Come in and see who sang that!' You are amazing!"

Simon predicted that "people are going to really like" Gabriel, both for his talent and sweet personality.

"You are just so interesting. I can tell that you've sung in church and you don't know how good you are," Simon said. "It was amazing."

Sofia then noted how the performance was "perfect," explaining, "I don't even have words. It was... spectacular. Your voice is beautiful, and your energy and who you are, it was perfect!"

Sofia went on to announce how she was going to honor Gabriel in a special way.

"You are here every time as a judge, waiting for that 'feeling,' and that is what I was waiting for -- something very beautiful and very heartfelt," Sofia shared with the singer.

"I think it's time to vote, but what I really want to do is this!"

Sofia proceeded to hit the Golden Buzzer and gold confetti fell from above the crowd cheered and Gabriel -- who doesn't speak English very well -- celebrated onstage with his language translator.

Sofia then rushed the stage and told Gabriel with tears in her eyes, "How spectacular! You had us dying over here!"

Gabriel said he couldn't believe such a magical moment was happening to him, and then he thanked the AGT judge.

"I can't believe it!" Gabriel said after the magical America's Got Talent moment.

The other Golden Buzzers of this America's Got Talent season went to blind and autistic singer Lavender Darcangelo, Atlanta Drum Academy, blind singer Putri Ariani, dance group Murmuration, and Mzansi Youth Choir.

Heidi gave Lavender the Golden Buzzer, Terry hit the Golden Buzzer for Atlanta Drum Academy, Simon hit the buzzer for Putri Ariani, and Howie decided to give the honor to Murmuration.

Mzansi Youth Choir received the show's first-ever Audience Golden Buzzer.

The America's Got Talent judges have yet to give a contestant their Group Golden Buzzer.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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