The 16th season of “America’s Got Talent” has already been shaping up as one of the best ones yet. With a new wave of talent entertaining the competition, the audience and judges have been introduced to some amazing people and witnessed some great acts throughout the audition rounds. Singer Matt Mauser auditioned for the show, and shared his incredibly emotional story with people all over the world.
Mauser and his wife both worked as school teachers before they found different career avenues. While Mauser pursued music, his wife got the opportunity to work as a girl’s basketball coach alongside basketball legend Kobe Bryant. Back on Jan. 26, 2020, a tragic helicopter crash in Calabasas, California, killed Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, baseball coach John Altobelli, the pilot and five other passengers. The world was rocked by the news, and just a year and a half later, a widower of a woman who was killed in the crash has come forward with his own story. Mauser’s wife, Christina, lost her life in the crash.
Grieving the loss of his wife, Mauser decided to not let it overtake his life, and auditioned for the competition series to set a good example for his children. He chose a heart-wrenching song to match the emotions he had inside of him, and they poured out when he sang the meaningful lyrics in front of the judges, the audience, and viewers all across the country. Mauser really has had to fight against all odds to get where he is today, and his story and emotions were perfectly evoked throughout his sentimental performance.
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The Emotional Performance
Before the audition began, a video showcasing parts of Mauser’s life played and showcased just how beautiful his love with Christina was. The couple was married for 15 years and had three children together. “When she left that day, she kissed me and she said, ‘I love you.’ And that was the last thing my wife ever said to me,” Mauser said. Once in front of the judges, Mauser told his emotional story before auditioning with the song “Against All Odds” by Phil Collins.
The judges had expressed their sympathy with the singer prior to his audition starting and looked just as emotional as they listened to him sing the powerful and meaningful lyrics. Mauser poured his heart and soul into his performance and became increasingly overwhelmed by his own emotions, so much so that he began getting choked up as the song came to an end. The crooner then received a standing ovation from all four judges and a booming round of applause from the audience.
Blown away, the judges praised Mauser for sharing his raw feelings with the world. Mauser explained why he came on the show. “I’d like to make sure that my children see that, in spite of the grief that we’ve been through this year, that that grief is not going to define who we are as a family,” he said. “And that my children see that you have to find joy in life and you have to continue.” Mauser is set to continue on in the competition series as he received four yes votes from the judges, moving him on to the next round of the competition.
What did you think about Matt Mauser’s emotional story and heart-wrenching audition? Let us know, and be sure to pass this on to your loved ones, too.