Long Island teen Christian Guardino won over audiences around the world with his America’s Got Talent audition, but that’s not the only thing that has people talking.
Guardino’s mother surprised audiences with the candid tale of how her son lost his sight.
“At six months old, I knew in my heart of hearts that there was something wrong and we were told Christian was going to go completely blind,” she said.
Even while struggling with his sight, Guardino remained positive and humble. He first performed for an audience when he was nine, navigating his way around the stage using a cane.
When Guardino was 12 years old, an experimental gene therapy allowed him to regain his sight.
“It’s a miracle, really,” said his mother. “It’s truly a miracle.”
Contestants often share their emotional stories with the judges before their audition, but 16-year-old Guardino never alluded to the issue.
Even when nervous, he remained polite and respectful, repeatedly calling judge Simon Cowell “sir” before being encouraged to use Cowell’s first name.
With Guardino’s nerves on display, no one was prepared for what happened next.
His stirring rendition of Who’s Loving You? by The Jackson 5 had the audience and the judges in the palm of his hand.
A standing ovation nearly pushed Guardino over the edge but he managed to regain his composure.
“You are one of my favourite contestants I’ve seen this year,” Cowell said. “Not only in terms of your voice – I just like you. There was something about you and it is the best possible feeling when we meet people like you.”
Then it was judge Howie Mandel’s turn. He had been enraptured from the first note, leaping to his feet and spending the rest of the song looking awestruck.
“If you could make one wish right now, this second, to make something come true for yourself, what would you wish?” Mandel asked.
The 16-year-old took a moment to think before naming his wish: the golden buzzer.
When pressed by a judge, the golden buzzer sends a contestant straight through to the live shows.
Mandel granted Guardino’s wish, pushing the button and showering the teen with gold confetti. Guardino’s mother burst onto the stage to celebrate, followed closely by host Tyra Banks.
In the wings afterwards, Guardino was still in shock – not about the golden buzzer, but that Simon Cowell had liked him.
“This is the best day of my life,” Guardino said.
The official video of Christian Guardino’s audition and golden buzzer result (below) has already racked up more than 4 million views on YouTube.