French-Canadian singer Gabriella Laberge had big dreams when she stepped onto the stage for her America’s Got Talent audition. But things didn’t start off the way she hoped.
At first, her opening interview felt a little awkward, and when she picked up her violin, the music she played was pleasant, but it was nothing special—nothing you wouldn’t hear from a street performer on a busy corner. Simon Cowell, always the tough judge, hovered his hand over the red buzzer, ready to send her home.
But Gabriella wasn’t done. She had a surprise waiting.
As she opened her mouth to sing, a beautiful, soulful voice filled the room, surprising everyone. She chose James Blunt’s heartfelt song “Goodbye My Lover,” and it was clear this wasn’t just another audition. Cowell’s hand quickly pulled away from the buzzer, and the judges could feel the magic.
Gabriella’s voice was powerful and full of emotion, bringing a unique twist to the song. She added a folk-style spin, with a little bit of twang that made it her own.
Then, Gabriella did something even more unexpected. Midway through the song, she effortlessly picked up her violin again and played a stunning solo. The room was electrified. As she moved into the final, intense part of the song, the judges jumped to their feet in awe, giving her a standing ovation.
At 28 years old, Gabriella had chosen a perfect song to showcase her talents. “Goodbye My Lover” wasn’t just a chance to sing; it was a way for her to demonstrate her ability to connect emotionally with her audience while also showing off her musical skills, both vocally and instrumentally.
Every judge pressed their buzzer, sending Gabriella straight through to the next round with a smile on her face and excitement in her heart.
Judge Howie Mandel couldn’t contain his excitement, exclaiming, “Wow, I love this!” as Gabriella nailed her violin solo during the bridge. Fans watching online were just as impressed. One comment read, “She’s amazing! She plays the violin like a master, sings like an angel, and is beautiful to watch… she’s the entire package!”
But Gabriella wasn’t new to the spotlight. In 2016, she had an incredible audition on The Voice France, where she performed Coldplay’s “The Scientist.” Her version of the song went viral and became the fourth most-watched audition on the show’s YouTube channel.
Before taking the stage at America’s Got Talent, Gabriella shared how much it meant to her: “Growing up, I watched America’s Got Talent every week. I never imagined that I’d be here. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to chase my biggest dream, which is to do music for the rest of my life.”
Later, in a heartfelt moment with the judges, she said, “I think the American dream could come true, and I’ve been dreaming of this moment for as long as I can remember.” With all four judges saying yes, it seemed like Gabriella’s dreams were coming true.
However, despite her incredible performance, Gabriella’s journey on the show didn’t last long. The judges eventually decided to cut her during the deliberations, leaving her out of the top 36. But this wasn’t the end for her. Gabriella’s talent continued to shine on other stages.
She made it to the quarter-finals of The Voice France in its fifth season, and in 2019, she reached the semi-finals of Destination Eurovision, the French competition to choose the country’s Eurovision entry, with her song “On cherche encore (Never Get Enough).”
Gabriella Laberge is a gifted musician, not just for her voice, but for her violin skills as well. Her delicate, soulful take on “Goodbye My Lover” left everyone in awe, and she’s sure to keep impressing with her future performances.
What do you think of Gabriella’s audition? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
