A notable Eurovision contestant has graced the stage of America's Got Talent. Gabriella Laberge, who previously competed in France's "Destination Eurovision", gave a stunning performance that impressed both the audience and judges.
The French-Canadian musician expressed her aspirations in her introduction video. "I want to pursue music as my lifelong career. This chance means everything to me," she revealed.
The performer from Quebec started her act with a gentle violin solo on stage.
Gabriella Laberge performs James Blunt's 'Goodbye My Lover' on AGT 2021 (Source: www.youtube.com)
While judges Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandel watched intently, Simon Cowell showed initial disinterest. He positioned his hand near the red buzzer, ready to stop the performance. Yet, Laberge had something unexpected planned.
She shifted from violin to vocals, performing James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover." Her magnificent voice quickly changed Cowell's reaction, making him move away from the buzzer.
Her performance received a standing ovation from everyone, including Cowell. The judges unanimously agreed to advance her in the competition.
The path ahead remains uncertain for Laberge. Her audition appeared in episode eight, the final audition show of the season.
The competition has approved more than 150 acts, but only 36 can proceed to live shows. Viewers must wait three weeks to discover if Laberge secures a finalist position.
In 2019, Laberge first appeared on television in France's "Destination Eurovision" season two. Her entry "On cherche encore (Never Get Enough)" gained significant fan support.
Despite audience appreciation, she didn't advance beyond the semi-finals. Bilal Hassani won that season with "Roi."
This AGT appearance represents a fresh start for Laberge, displaying her abilities to worldwide viewers and exciting her Eurovision fanbase.
Her moving performance has created a memorable impact, regardless of future competition results.
'The Worst Rendition': Jon Batiste's National Anthem Performance at Super Bowl
Sparks Discussion
Jon Batiste performed the U.S. national anthem in New Orleans, Louisiana, shortly before the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Kansas City Chiefs for a chance at winning.
On February 9, Batiste appeared at the Super Bowl LIX held at the Caesars Superdome, where he delivered a version of the national anthem. Fans had mixed reactions, with some strongly criticizing his performance.
The artist began his performance with a smooth jazz rhythm, slowly increasing intensity while passionately playing a lively piano at the middle of the field.
His interpretation was distinctive, deviating from typical renditions, which caused some fans to disagree with his style. One person commented, "That’s how you ruin the national anthem," while another said, "It’s the worst version."
A third fan expressed disappointment, saying, "Unfortunately, it was far from impressive. It was a letdown." Several viewers felt his take strayed too far from the original, with one critic remarking, "They ruined the national anthem."
Another echoed this sentiment, stating, "Terrible. If you can't sing along, it’s not the national anthem." One person highlighted the importance of tradition, commenting, "I’ll never understand why they can’t just sing it. Nobody wants to hear your version. It’s the national anthem, not a talent show."
Many viewers shared their disapproval. A particularly critical comment read, "Nobody should change the words of the national anthem." Others looked for positives, with one user saying, "I appreciate the blues influence, but it was kind of weak."
Not everyone was negative. One supporter proclaimed, "This anthem is fantastic," while another praised it as "a powerful and heartfelt performance."
Before the game, Batiste shared a short interview expressing his excitement. "I am eager to find an arrangement that can last, and I look forward to sharing it," he said. He also noted that the Super Bowl is about unity and that he was happy to be part of it.
A few days before the event, he posted a clip on Instagram showing he has talent in both music and sports. "But music, luckily, brought me back to the big game," he commented.
The day before the Super Bowl, Batiste hosted his first Love Riot Festival in New Orleans' 9th Ward. He thanked the organizations and teams that made the event possible, including He Gets Us, George Washington Carver High School, Thrive New Orleans, and Giving Hope.
The festival used music to uplift the community, offering a free concert as a gift. Batiste expressed gratitude to the artists and volunteers who supported the event. In a heartfelt message, he said, "I love you even if I don’t know you."
Batiste is a well-known figure in the music industry, with 22 Grammy nominations and seven wins. Although he skipped the 2025 Grammy Awards ceremony, he took to Instagram to acknowledge recent achievements.
His documentary "American Symphony" won the Grammy for Best Music Film, and his song "It Never Went Away" from the same film earned Best Song Written for Visual Media. He shared his thanks alongside a photo with his wife, Suleika Jaouad.
Batiste values innovation, which plays a part in his success. His latest album, "Beethoven Blues," came out in 2024 and blends different genres. It features reinterpretations of Ludwig van Beethoven’s famous works, combining classical melodies with modern sounds.
This project brings Beethoven’s music to a wider, more diverse audience by giving it a new life.
He explained, "Whether you like classical music, whether you're religious, a child, a choir singer, or an amateur pianist, Beethoven’s music is special. It’s a rare part of the musical canon."
A classically trained jazz pianist, Batiste has performed with stars like Beyoncé and Prince. He sometimes works with his wife, who is a New York Times bestselling author, Emmy-winning journalist, and motivational speaker.
The couple collaborated on "American Symphony," a documentary where Batiste aims to compose a symphony, while his wife, Jaouad, learns her cancer has returned. The film explores their journey through life, love, and creativity.
In her end-of-year post for 2024, Jaouad shared her experience fighting cancer. She posted pictures from the past year and wrote, "Finding out for the third time that I have cancer can feel hopeless. But my photos remind me there are also moments of joy. Life is full of contrasts. Our job is to hold both the tough and beautiful moments at the same time."
She revealed that her year was full of extremes: she experienced her lowest moments but also some of the most beautiful, unexpected times. Despite the challenges, she expressed gratitude, especially for her husband’s support, which has been a source of happiness and strength.
She often reflects on the beauty and magic around her, even in difficult times, reminding herself to live fully and love deeply.
Jaouad has written three books about her journey—"Life Interrupted," "Between Two Kingdoms," and "The Book of Alchemy"—which showcase her resilience, love for life, and the healing power of love while she battles cancer.
Kelly Clarkson's Performance Moves Garth Brooks to Tears
Kelly Clarkson transforms any song into a memorable experience. Her rendition of "The Dance," which Garth Brooks calls his "favorite song," left the country star visibly touched.
Throughout his career, Garth Brooks has given many memorable shows. However, at the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors, he watched from the audience as others celebrated him.
The 63-year-old country star was deeply affected as musicians including Kelly Clarkson, James Taylor, Jimmie Allen, and Gladys Knight honored his impressive career.
Actor Bradley Cooper introduced the tribute by saying: "There's country music, rock, gospel, honky-tonk...and then there's Garth Brooks. Garth is a power hitter who swung for the fences and broke down barriers between music genres, expanding country music's reach and changing American culture."
His Beloved Song
Garth Brooks & Kelly Clarkson sing "Ain't Going Down Til The Sun Comes Up" Live Concert Performance (Source: www.youtube.com)
Clarkson, 42, was first to perform, delivering a powerful version of "The Dance," Brooks' hit 1990 ballad that he has named as his favorite composition.
"There's a song that you look forward to all night, like 'The Dance.' I could play it four or five times a night, and I'd still be OK with it," Brooks stated in a 1994 interview.
"'The Dance' will be the greatest success as a song we will ever do. I'll go to my grave with 'The Dance.' It'll probably always be my favorite song," he said about the ballad that explores love, loss, and life's fleeting beauty.
A Sign of Respect
When the American Idol winner performed her version on stage, Brooks seemed to cherish the song even more.
Clarkson, known for her strong vocal range and ability to refresh classic songs, gave a performance both personal and powerful. As soon as the Grammy-winner began singing, the crowd grew quiet, drawn in by her heartfelt delivery.
With just piano backing, Clarkson's voice filled the venue with genuine emotion. While she sang each word with feeling, the audience watched in awe – but no one was more affected than Brooks himself.
The country star, seated next to his wife Trisha Yearwood, held the medallion he received that evening and wiped tears from his eyes.
As Clarkson's voice reached its highest point, Brooks stood up and, in a show of deep appreciation, took off his hat – a traditional gesture of respect in country music – and placed his hand over his mouth, clearly moved by her sincere performance.
High Praise
Garth Brooks Calls Kelly Clarkson 'A Freak Of Nature' (Source: www.youtube.com)
Social media quickly filled with compliments for Clarkson's powerful yet intimate performance.
"Absolutely flawless performance. Garth looks so proud. Kelly you are an amazing artist," wrote one person in the comments of the clip shared by the Kennedy Center Honors on Facebook.
"Fantastic job singing that song. You can see Garth was filled with emotion. [You're] amazing!" comments another viewer.
A third person notes, "Garth's reaction made me cry," while someone else believes, "I liked Kelly's version much better."
Kelly Clarkson's interpretation of "The Dance" went beyond a simple cover - it created a truly special musical moment.
Fears for Ariana Grande as new image shows star looking painfully thin
A recent social media photo of Ariana Grande at the BAFTA Film Awards has ignited new worries about her health. The photo shows the Oscar-nominated performer looking extremely thin while giving autographs to fans.
Reddit users expressed deep concern after seeing the now-removed image. One commenter stated, "I just hope she's okay because I certainly would not be if I were in her shoes and everyone felt so entitled to talk about my body all the time." Other users shared similar worries, with one noting, "Every time I see a new pic I feel shocked all over again," and another adding, "It's sad to watch it happen."
Ariana Grande Wears Plunging Louis Vuitton Gown With ... (Source: www.yahoo.com)
The Grammy winner faced intense scrutiny about her physical appearance during the promotional activities for the movie Wicked, where she played Glinda. Medical experts state that visible sternums and hollow cheeks in adults can indicate health issues, including malnutrition. This condition can cause serious problems like reduced energy, muscle loss, weakened immunity, and slow wound healing.
During a New York Times interview, Grande and her co-star Cynthia Erivo described demanding filming schedules for Wicked. Both actors caught Covid during production, with Grande filming "Popular" shortly after recovery. Erivo later expressed relief when the 2023 actors' strike paused production, saying they had "worked themselves to the bone."
Grande previously addressed public commentary about her appearance, stating, "I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people's bodies, no matter what."
Ariana Grande Wears Poufy Pink and Black Gown at 2025 BAFTAs (Source: people.com)
During a December interview with French journalist Salima Jeanne Poumbga, known professionally as Sally, Ariana Grande discussed public reactions to her appearance. The conversation took place during the Wicked promotional tour, where Grande opened up about constant online discussions regarding her weight.
Grande, who started her career at age 16 on Nickelodeon's Victorious, shared her experience of public scrutiny. She explained, "I've been a specimen in a petri dish since I was 16 or 17. I've heard every criticism about what's wrong with me. When you fix one thing, it becomes wrong for different reasons."
The performer addressed the challenges of dealing with public commentary, noting that unwanted remarks about appearance can be distressing in any context. She mentioned how even casual comments at family gatherings about weight changes can feel invasive and uncomfortable.
Ariana Grande addresses body-shaming comments on TikTok (Source: www.elle.com)
Grande strongly criticized society's casual attitude toward commenting on others' appearances. She emphasized the inappropriate nature of public discussions about people's bodies, faces, clothing choices, and assumed health conditions. The singer expressed gratitude for her support system that helps maintain her self-confidence.
In 2023, Grande directly confronted body-shaming through a TikTok video after viral images compared her weight over different years. She defended her health status and urged for more consideration when discussing others' physical appearance, stating: "I think we should be gentler and less comfortable commenting on people's bodies, no matter what."
Grande made a compelling appeal against unsolicited comments about physical appearance. She stated, "Even well-intentioned remarks about someone being healthy, unhealthy, big, small, or attractive should be avoided."
Is Ariana Grande Quitting Pop Music? (Source: popcrush.com)
The "Yes And?" performer addressed viral comparisons of her body, revealing that photos people considered her "healthiest" actually captured her during a difficult period. She explained that those images showed her while taking antidepressants and consuming alcohol, a potentially dangerous combination.
Grande openly shared that during the time when fans thought she looked her best, she struggled with poor eating habits and experienced severe emotional challenges. She emphasized that health manifests differently for everyone, saying, "There are many different ways to look healthy and beautiful."
The singer chose to share these personal details hoping to create positive change through vulnerability. She concluded her message by reinforcing that healthy appearances vary among individuals, challenging standard perceptions of wellness and beauty.
