Teen Evelyn Errante Soars With Powerful Version of ‘Wicked’ Ballad ‘Defying Gravity’ on ‘AGT’

Thirteen-year-old Phoenix native and Broadway wannabe Evelyn Errante reached for the stars during her soaring take on the Wicked showcase tune “Defying Gravity” on Tuesday night’s (July 29) America’s Got Talent. The spunky teen with the 1000-watt smile emoted her way through the iconic song from the beloved musical, bringing the studio audience to their feet as she reached for the sky-high battle cry note struck by Cynthia Erivo in the hit movie version of the Wizard of Oz retelling.

By the end of her energetic performance, Errante could hardly contain her excitement as she took a bow, put her hand to her chest, made a hand heart and smiled her biggest smile as judge Sofía Vergara said, “they’re going crazy for you! You are perfect for what you want to do. It was very beautiful. You could be like a princess. It was amazing. I think you’re going to go very, very far.”

The response from fellow judge and Broadway boo bird Howie Mandel, however, was not quite as enthusiastic. “You’re a lovely young lady who knows exactly what she wants to do and what you want to do is not something I really respond to,” he said to a round of lusty boos and thumbs downs from the audience. ” I have to be honest with myself. It’s a no.”

Mel B was a bit less harsh, pointing out that the good news was that Errante can belt like that at 13, predicting that “by the time you get to 18, your voice is going to be amazing.” Noting that she’s done Broadway twice, the Spice Girls star said that it’s hard work, but encouraged Errante to “keep on going, keep on training.” And though she dubbed it a “great audition,” Mel B lamented that it “wasn’t perfect,” telling the teen she has a “lot of work today” as she gave her a yes while Mandel doubled-down on his no.

Deciding vote Simon Cowell said he was struggling because he “cannot bear” the song, while acknowledging that lot of people love it. “You’ve got a lot of guts to come out here and sing that song,” he added. “You’ve got so much ambition. We should encourage someone like you on this show.” And then, after a painfully long pause, Cowell said yes, putting Errante through to the next round.

America’s Got Talent airs on NBC at 8 p.m. Tuesdays and streams on Peacock the next day.

Watch Errante defy gravity below.