Alabama Teen Reid Wilson Impresses 'America's Got Talent' Judges with Whitney Houston Song

Alabama Teen Impresses Judges with Whitney Houston Song on 'America's Got Talent'

Reid Wilson, a 15-year-old from Montgomery, Alabama, wowed judges on "America's Got Talent" with his stunning performance of Whitney Houston's classic, "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)." Despite the praise, Reid didn’t secure enough votes to move forward in the competition during Season 19 and was eliminated.

All four judges—Howie Mandel, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara—had nothing but compliments for Reid’s skillful and unique take on the song.

Howie Mandel said, “Reid has a great career ahead of him," and called his voice "beautiful" and "killer."

Sofia Vergara added, “You picked a very difficult and well-known song, but you made it your own. Amazing.”

Although Reid didn’t make it to the top 10, his journey on the show ended on a high note. His performance got cheers and applause from the audience and judges alike.

The competition was tough, with the show cutting the contestants from 12 to six. The top acts moving forward include four performers who earned a “Live Golden Buzzer” from one of the judges. Reid, though eliminated, reflected on his experience with gratitude.

“It felt so great,” Reid said about performing the Whitney Houston hit. “It’s such an honor to be able to sing one of her songs here.”

Though Reid won’t compete further this season, his appearance on the show significantly raised his public profile. In an interview, Reid mentioned, “The competition is fierce, but if this isn’t the end of my singing career.”

Six acts have made it to the finals, joining four others who advanced through the Golden Buzzer. The top 10 acts will compete in the two-part finale on September 17 and 24, with the winner receiving a $1 million prize.

The top 10 finalists include a mix of singers, acrobats, dancers, magicians, and comedians.