Johnny Manuel’s Triumphant Return on America’s Got Talent
In 2017, Johnny Manuel captivated audiences with his powerful rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” on the 12th series of America’s Got Talent. His performance was a dazzling display of vocal strength and emotion, earning thunderous applause from the audience.
This wasn’t Johnny’s first time in the limelight. The Michigan-born singer began his professional career at just 14, signing a brief record deal with Warner Music Group as an R&B artist. During this time, he opened for big names like Jay-Z and Destiny’s Child and even toured with NSYNC. His debut single, “I Got You,” can still be found deep within YouTube’s archives.
Despite his early promise, Johnny’s debut album did not achieve the expected success, leading Warner to drop him. This setback caused Johnny to step away from the music industry to recover from the disappointment during his teenage years. However, by 2017, at the age of 32, Johnny was ready to reclaim his place in the spotlight.
Johnny’s AGT audition impressed all four judges—Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel—earning unanimous “Yes” votes and advancing him to the next stage. His audition video has since garnered 24 million views on YouTube. During the Judge Cuts, Johnny’s performance was so outstanding that R&B legend Seal awarded him the Golden Buzzer. Although Johnny reached the semi-finals, his decision to perform an original song, “Blind Faith,” did not fully showcase his vocal prowess.
Watch the video below to see Johnny Manuel’s unforgettable performance.