A 27-year-old musician didn’t let his second chance on “America’s Got Talent” go to waste after getting off to a rocky and “torturing” start with Simon Cowell.
Lamont Landers’ guitar and singing performance of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” was quickly cut off by Cowell, who slammed the lackluster version as a “wedding song.”
“I’m wondering if we should come up with a better song, because your problem is you don’t take risks,” Cowell said to an unenthusiastic Landers, who literally shrugged off Cowell’s advice.
Landers fired back, saying, “I think it’s great. I’m not sure if it’s what you guys want, but I think it’s beautiful.” The Alabama native asked the crowd what they wanted, prompting host Terry Crews to gasp, “He went over Simon’s head.”
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Cowell put his foot down. “Lamont, you are getting on my nerves right now because I actually like your voice. So I would suggest you think about what I’m saying. I’m gonna give you another shot. Don’t be cocky.”
Landers reluctantly agreed to come back in a couple of hours with another song, although he questioned if he even wanted to compete on the show anymore.
After more difficulties, including the singer bluntly telling the audience not to “clap along,” Landers performed a flawless take on Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own.”
He received a standing ovation from Cowell and four “yes” votes from the judges.
“We don’t know each other well, Lamont, but I respect you for what you did,” Cowell said. Howie Mandel added, “Taking all the directions from Simon and listening to everybody, you stepped it up 10 levels.”
“I’m humbled and honored that you guys took the time to give me another chance,” Landers told the judges, before addressing the audience: “I apologize, you had every right to clap.”
And that’s exactly what the audience did. Clap.
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