America's Got Talent judge Heidi Klum hit the Golden Buzzer for soul singer Dee Dee Simon during the Season 19 Live Show that aired Tuesday night on NBC.

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Heidi pressed the Golden Buzzer, unleashing golden confetti from above and a roar of cheers from the audience, for Dee Dee from Oakland, CA, sending the singer straight through to America's Got Talent finals.

America's Got Talent featured 11 of the show's top 44 quarterfinalist acts performing live for America's votes on Tuesday, and Dee Dee kicked off her high heels halfway through her performance of "Lose Control" by Teddy Swims.

Dee Dee received a standing ovation from Heidi and her fellow America's Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara.

Howie took off his shoes and used them to clap for the singer, who had brought the house down with a band of musicians behind her.

"You did it! There are no words," Howie shouted to the nurse.

"You knocked your shoes off, you knocked my shoes off! And I've got to tell you something: I imagine Jelly Roll is going to be posting that. You made him proud, and you made it your own! It was amazing."

Simon went on to share how he loves seeing talented aspiring singers -- who aren't full-time performers -- live out their dreams on the America's Got Talent stage.

"There was no holding you back. There was no fear and you were like, 'You know what? This is who I am. This is my talent.' And you just went for it," Simon gushed.

"I loved the part when you kicked the shoes off and it just went up in gear. You know what, Dee Dee? I think you've given yourself a shot of winning the whole competition."

Sofia agreed with Simon and applauded Dee Dee on being "a real person living her dream!"

"That was amazing, the whole thing! That song, this was more your lane," Sofia shared. "I loved your performance. It was even better than your audition. Congratulations. You are a star tonight."

Heidi proceeded to compliment Dee Dee's stage presence as well as her range and the tone of her voice.

"You look stunning tonight, but I feel like something is missing," Heidi announced with a smile. "Like a sparkly belt, a sparkly ring, sparkly gold. My stomach is talking to me."

Heidi then hit the Golden Buzzer, and Dee Dee jumped up and down and danced on the stage as her family celebrated in the AGT audience.

When Heidi rushed the stage to hug the performer, Heidi told Dee Dee that she was "the best" in her eyes that evening.

Dee Dee will join Sofia's Golden Buzzer, Matata Acrobatics, as well as Howie's Golden Buzzer AIRFOOTWORKS in the finals.

Prior to taking the stage, Dee Dee shared in her intro package how she sang during her first audition like she was in the comfort of her own home.

"During my audition, I was so nervous and I said, 'Get these shoes off because this is your moment!' I went home there. I was singing like I was back in my kitchen with my little three-person audience -- my son, my husband, and the fireball, my mama," Dee Dee explained.

"Growing up, my mom knew I wanted to sing, but when I started my family, I became a nurse because I wanted to help people. But working at San Quentin has its ups and downs because it is a prison. When you drive through the gate, there is a no-hostage policy. You know that when you go in, you may not get out."

When the inmates saw that Dee Dee was on America's Got Talent, she compared it to the Super Bowl.

"All of a sudden, there was this long list of people who were sick. [I'd ask], 'How long have you had this cold?' [And they'd reply], 'How was AGT?'" Dee Dee quipped.

"My mom always told me to go after my dream, and today is the day! I know it. I just know it!"

The quarterfinals round will consist of one more episode, which will feature Simon's Golden Buzzer.

Each AGT judge can hit the Golden Buzzer once during this stage of the competition, but most of the power is in America's hands considering they get to vote for their favorite acts.

Only four of the 11 acts in each episode will advance in the competition. While the Golden Buzzer goes straight to the finals, America votes for their three favorite acts to compete in the semifinals.

The three acts who received the highest number of America's votes on Tuesday night will be revealed Wednesday night at 8PM ET/PT as America's Got Talent's nineteenth season continues.

Once the quarterfinals round comes to a close, 12 acts will compete in the semifinals for only six spots in the finals, based on home viewers' votes.

Those six acts will then join the four Live Show Golden Buzzers and perform in America's Got Talent's two-night finale on Tuesday, September 17 and Tuesday, September 24 on NBC.


About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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