Gabriella Laberge, a talented French-Canadian singer, walked into her America’s Got Talent audition with big dreams and high hopes. But her journey almost came to a halt before it even began. The first part of her audition was a little awkward.
After a somewhat uncomfortable interview with the judges, Gabriella picked up her violin and played a sweet, pleasant melody. However, it wasn’t anything extraordinary — just the kind of music you might hear from a street performer on a busy corner.
Simon Cowell, one of the toughest judges on the show, was already hovering his hand over the red buzzer, ready to end her performance. But Gabriella wasn’t about to give up that easily.
With a deep breath, she opened her mouth to sing — and suddenly, the room was filled with her beautiful, soulful voice. She performed “Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt, and her delicate vocals instantly caught the judges’ attention.
Simon Cowell quickly pulled his hand back from the buzzer, clearly impressed by her powerful voice. The other judges followed suit, and the atmosphere in the room shifted. Gabriella wasn’t just playing the violin; she was pouring her heart into the song.
Her voice was so full of emotion, and she added her own personal touch by singing with a little twang, blending folk elements into the song. As the music built up, Gabriella transitioned into a violin solo during the bridge, showing off her incredible musical skills.
And when she reached the intense outro of the song, the judges couldn’t hold back. They were on their feet, giving her a standing ovation.
Gabriella, who was 28 years old at the time, made a brilliant choice with “Goodbye My Lover.” The song allowed her to showcase both her vocal and violin talents, but it was her emotional connection to the music that truly stood out.
She sang with such sincerity that it felt like she was telling a personal story. Her performance left a lasting impression, and all four judges hit their buzzers, sending her through to the next round.
Judge Howie Mandel was clearly moved by her performance. As Gabriella played the violin solo during the bridge, he said, “Wow, I love this!” Fans watching online shared the same excitement, flooding the comments with praise like, “She’s amazing!
She plays the violin like a master, sings like an angel, and is beautiful to watch… she’s the whole package!”
Gabriella wasn’t a stranger to the big stage. She had already made a huge impact in 2016 when she performed a stunning blind audition of Coldplay’s “The Scientist” on The Voice France. That performance became one of the most popular auditions on the show’s YouTube channel, ranking as the fourth most viewed audition ever.
Before her America’s Got Talent audition, Gabriella shared how much the opportunity meant to her. “Growing up, I was watching America’s Got Talent every week, so never in my life would I expect to be here,” she said. “This is the opportunity of my life to chase my biggest dream, which is doing music for the rest of my life.”
Later, when speaking directly to the judges, Gabriella said, “I think the American dream could come true and I’ve been dreaming of that moment since I can remember.” It was clear that this audition was a dream come true for her.
After a flawless performance, Gabriella received a clean sweep of “yes” votes from all four judges. But despite this success, her journey on America’s Got Talent came to an end when the judges decided to cut her during the deliberations for the top 36 contestants.
However, Gabriella didn’t let that setback stop her. She had already made a name for herself on The Voice France, where she made it all the way to the quarter-finals in the fifth season. She also competed in the semi-finals of Destination Eurovision in 2019, a contest to choose France’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
There, she performed her song “On cherche encore (Never Get Enough),” showcasing her versatility as an artist.
As an accomplished musician, Gabriella isn’t just known for her beautiful voice. She’s also a skilled violinist, able to weave intricate melodies into her performances. With her soul-stirring rendition of James Blunt’s “Goodbye My Lover,” she proved that she has the talent and heart to captivate any audience.
Gabriella Laberge is a performer you don’t want to miss. Keep an eye out for her future performances — she’s only just getting started!
What do you think of Gabriella’s story? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
