When 27-year-old singer Lamont Landers auditioned for “America’s Got Talent” during Tuesday’s episode, he had no idea that he was going to get a tongue-lashing from Simon Cowell. When Simon stopped Lamont mid-performance of Al Green‘s “Let’s Stay Together” and asked what his second song was, Lamont responded that he’d also prepared Marvin Gaye‘s “What’s Going On.” Simon argued that it was essentially the same song, noting, “Your problem is that you don’t take risks.” Lamont tried to ignore the British judge’s advice and play the second song anyway, and that’s when Simon hissed, “Don’t be cocky.” Watch the “AGT” video above.
Lamont went backstage to prep a new song, but the pressure was getting to him as he complained, “I just wish I’d known ahead of time. It’s like, hard to prepare with like an hour or two, to come up with like a whole new thing.” Ultimately the Alabama-born musician decided to go with Calum Scott‘s “Dancing On My Own,” a much more current and modern offering.
All four judges — Simon, Howie Mandel, Gabrielle Union and Julianne Hough — approved of his new song choice, with Simon saying that he offered him the second chance because he liked him and his voice. But then Simon did the unthinkable and stopped him again. “Shake yourself out here,” he instructed Lamont. “You’re too tense. Can I give you one suggestion, please? Slow it down. Make this feel like you’ve just written the song.”
Lamont heeded the advice and ended up earning unanimous raves from the judges following his final performance, with Simon jumping to his feet to initiate a standing ovation. Lamont told the panelists, “I’m humbled and I’m honored that you guys took the time to give me another chance. I thrive under pressure and I love trying to adapt and overcome. Thank you for the chance.”
Julianne noted how Lamont was an “egg” that the judges were trying to crack “slowly but surely.” Howie proclaimed, “You stepped it up 10 levels as far as I’m concerned.” Gabrielle declared that he “blew [them] all away.” And Simon said, “I respect you for doing what you did,” telling him to let himself go and not worry so much about failing in the future.
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