‘America’s Got Talent’: Watch Tyler’s chill-inducing ‘Champions’ finale performance
Tyler Butler-Figueroa wowed America once again Monday night.
The 12-year-old Raleigh native performed along with nine other semifinalists in the “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” finale episode.
After a brief video introduction that also served as a look back at the season, Tyler played a chill-inducing version of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” — completely unaccompanied for the first time in any of his “AGT” performances.
All of the judges stood to applaud at the end of the song.
Judge Simon Cowell spoke first: “You know why that was so impressive? Because you decided to do one of the most iconic songs of all time, stripped back, no gimmicks and this time without anyone on stage with you. I think it made you so vulnerable, endearing.
“I just have this weird feeling, Tyler, that after that, you may have given yourself a shot at maybe winning this competition.”
Judge Heidi Klum told Tyler that amid all the dancers and aerial acts in the finals, he held his own on stage. “That was beautiful,” she said.
Judge Aleesha Dixon: “Tyler you just warm my heart, just you and your beautiful instrument with the perfect song. You just made the SuperFans’ job very difficult tonight, because what is there not to love about Tyler? Another stellar performance.”
Before his performance, Tyler said in the video introduction that he feels more confident after his appearances on “America’s Got Talent.”
“I feel like I’m the Incredible Hulk when I’m on stage,” he said. “Simon has believed in me ever since my first audition, so for him to say he believes in me means a lot.
“I’m ready to show America that I deserve to be a champion.”
Tyler worked his way to the “Champions” finals through SuperFan votes, thanks to last week’s emotional performance of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World.”
This “AGT: The Champions” season initially brought back 40 of the most popular performers from previous season of “America’s Got Talent” from all over the world. Monday’s show featured the season’s 10 finalists.
Tyler was on Season 14 of “America’s Got Talent” and was a Top 10 finalist.
There’s no audience voting this time
The “Champions” season has been a little different than the regular “AGT” season, especially in how winners are picked.
This time, a group of SuperFans have been put in control. Except for the Golden Buzzer picks earlier in the season, and a few “saves” by judges, the SuperFans have made the selections.
The same is true for the finale. The winner, based on Monday’s performances, will be selected by SuperFans.
No winner named tonight
No winner was named Monday. We’ll have to tune in again next Monday at 8 p.m. on NBC for the reveal of this season’s Champion.
More about Tyler Butler-Figueroa
Tyler was a finalist in last season’s “America’s Got Talent,” making it to the Top 10 before being eliminated. In Season 1, he told judge Simon Cowell that he started playing the violin because he was bullied at school. Tyler was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was four-and-a-half-years-old. Tyler underwent three years of chemotherapy, which caused his hair to fall out and kids teased him for that, he said.
Last year, Tyler celebrated four years being cancer-free. He loves to pal around with his little brother, Adam.
This story was originally published February 10, 2020 at 9:53 PM.
