Thirteen years have the charms of a Midnight sun at Vancouver Island when it gently waned away in an almost-unheard-of act of America’s Got Talent. The young man walked in with a show that was practically 50 percent acoustic originals, but Simon Cowell interrupted early on. Such was the maturity of Cowell, as his usually hard demeanor softened on young Varnes to coax him into another song. Unhesitatingly, the young singer chose Ed Sheeran’s moving ballad, "Life Goes On," and that was the turning point. The crowd erupted, inundating that peculiar moment with cheers, making it difficult even for the panel members to hold back tears. Yes, an AGT panel does not often come away with a 13-year-old artist, with the sincerity and strength that came from this act.
Howie Mandel Sees a Young Star in the Making
As the act was unfolding, Howie Mandel was one of the first to speak in praise of Varnes, stating that in his own words, Varnes reminded him of a young Justin Bieber. Besides attraction, both were Canadian and began their careers as street performers. Notedly, Mandel saw great potential in Varnes' voice and presence, stressing that with evolution, the kid could be something special. Another judge, Sofia Vergara, went on to cite the improvement from the first to the second song, justifying Cowell’s decision to pull a fast one on that audition. She praised Varnes' ability to recover despite the nerves, admitting that teenage fans would probably get wrapped up in his charm and vulnerability. However, the young singer's road was not paved with universal praise.
Mel B Offers Constructive Feedback Amid High Praise
While the judges were mostly impressed by the act, Mel B took a more grounded view of it. She acknowledged Varnes' raw talent and the emotional delivery he gave. Yet she also mentioned that she could see him being nervous and that he was not quite ready for her. However, even these statements were hardly discouraging. She called him a "diamond in the rough," meaning that perhaps, given some time and experience, his stage presence could be just as good as his voice. Conversely, Cowell seemed entirely convinced; his final comments were sincerely delivered; he made it clear that Varnes had something special and had to move forward with the competition.
A Viral Moment for a Budding Artist
Chase Varnes probably won three "yes" votes, a crowd of fresh supporters, and one for the ages. His rendition of "Life Goes On" went viral on social media and was selected from a lineup of odd comedy acts, including a group of rapping cats from Los Angeles and a cat-themed dance troupe. Yet, the appeal of Varnes' performance ran deep; it was a matter of chunks of spirit fighting, gems of character, and natural talent shining through. Among the novelty acts of the evening, his delivery gave you a fresh breath of realness. If the welcome that followed his debut is anything to go by, Chase Varnes could very well be the brightest young voice that this season has seen yet.
