North Huntingdon singer Aubrey Burchell has been teasing fans about her upcoming appearance before the judges on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.”
Now the date is set — she’ll debut on the Season 17 episode airing at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
NBC just released a YouTube video that shows the 21-year-old wowing the judges with an emotional rendition of The Weeknd’s “Call Out My Name.”
Dressed in a flowered dress and black boots, Burchell became emotional telling the judges that she’s newly diagnosed with level 1 autism spectrum disorder.
Her goal, she said, is not only to sell out arenas and win Grammy Awards, but to show others with autism that “you can not fit in the box and do what you do and keep at it.”
She had to take a moment before starting to sing.
“I’m already crying,” she said.
Tears flowed again as audience members rose to their feet as she finished her song.
“That’s how you do it!” host Terry Crews said.
Judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara all gave positive feedback, with Klum praising her “fantastic voice” and “very cool look.”
Cowell said every note wasn’t perfect, but it didn’t matter, because “we’re just witnessing somebody’s career about to skyrocket.”
All four then said yes to Burchell moving on in the competition.
In 2018, Burchell made it to the top 70 on ABC’s “American Idol.”
Since then, she’s been honing her talents by writing songs in the R&B and pop vein and performing on weekends at bars, wineries and other area venues.
She has a job as a personal shopper at the North Huntingdon Target, telling the “AGT” judges that she sings in the store restroom during her breaks.
Burchell started performing as a child at area fundraisers and other events. At about 14, she started singing at the former Keynote Cafe in Jeannette.
