Not only did Victory Brinker make Simon Cowell chuckle during her America’s Got Talent audition in 2021, the then-9-year-old opera singer from Latrobe, Pennsylvania made history with her breathtaking performance that made every Judge’s jaw drop to the floor.
Victory Brinker masterfully sang classic opera in French at 9 years old on AGT
“When I’m singing, it makes me feel happy, happy, and happy,” Brinker told cameras ahead of her AGT audition in Season 16. Her mother added that “Victory sings morning, noon, and night,” and it’s been her dream to “sing on AGT.” And now that dream was becoming a reality.
When Host Terry Crews asked Brinker if she thought she could “win the whole thing,” the young girl excitedly answered “Yeah!” and said her goal was to get a yes from all four Judges.
Dressed in a sparkly tulle skirt and silver shoes, Brinker walked on to the AGT stage and adorably introduced herself to the Judges and the crowd.
“Are you excited?” Cowell asked.
“I’m ex-nervous,” she answered, clarifying that she was feeling a combination of “excited” and “nervous.”
“Ex-nervous, I love that,” Cowell said with a chuckle. “What would you do if you won the million dollars?”
“Buy Simon a rainbow shirt that has glitter on it!” Brinker said without any hesitation, making Cowell laugh once again. “You need some color!”
After her sweet introduction, Brinker then began to sing the classic opera song “Juliet’s Waltz” in French. Within seconds of her performance, every Judge’s eyes widened, completely gobsmacked by what they were hearing.
Watch the incredible moment below.
“I was not expecting that and you’re angelic and I loved it. I loved it,” Howie Mandel told Brinker.
“I loved it, too,” Heidi Klum added. “You have a beautiful voice. It was incredible. You are incredible.”
“I agree. You are a star,” Sofia Vergara said. “I think you have a powerful voice. That was amazing, I really loved it.”
Cowell then told Brinker he thought she was “incredibly brave” to audition on AGT before asking Crews to come speak with the Judges privately. “I just want to talk to Terry for one moment,” he said, leaving everyone worried and confused.
“How would you feel if we were to do something different this year?” Simon whispered to Klum, Mandel, Vergara, and Crews.
“Look, Victory, as I said, you know, turning up in terms of your career is really important. However, we’re not going to give you a yes today,” Cowell said, making the crowd erupt in disappointment. “We’re gonna do something else we’ve never, ever, ever done on the show before. We’re all going to give you something special.”
That something special was a collective Golden Buzzer from all four Judges and Crews, marking the first time the whole group decided on the same AGT performer to go straight to the Live Shows. As gold confetti rained over Brinker, she cried happy tears and ran over to hug her mom.
“I got ya!” Cowell playfully teased Brinker as all the Judges joined her on stage, before adding in a more serious tone, “Victory, you have the most amazing voice. Amazing voice.”
“I got all the Golden Buzzers!” Brinker said excitedly as she left her audition. “I’m so thankful!”
Following her history-making AGT audition, Brinker was among the final 10 Contestants in Season 16. Since then, Brinker has kept very busy. In 2021, she released a holiday-themed EP, The Wonder of Christmas. The following year, she was awarded the Guinness World Record for World’s Youngest Opera Singer. And she continues to perform at a variety of venues and events today.
As for her career goals after AGT? “I just want to sing all over the world and share my gift,” Brinker said during an appearance on the Tamron Hall Show in February 2025. “I just love music.”
