’s Got Talent viewers were blown away as blind teenager Putri Ariani sang her heart out, before getting a coveted golden buzzer from .
The 17-year-old made her debut on Tuesday night’s show, having traveled with her family from Indonesia to perform for the judges.
Ahead of her audition, which has since gone viral, she told the camera: ‘I always dreamed to be on America’s Got Talent since I was little. My biggest challenge is people look at me as a blind person, not as a musician. But when I’m singing, I feel like a superstar.’
Speaking to the panel – made up of Simon, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel – she also made her ambition clear, declaring that she wanted to be on the same level as Whitney Houston and win big at the .
She performed an original song and received a standing ovation from the judges and the crowd, before Simon made his way onto the stage and introduced himself to the budding musician and her dad, requesting a second track because he ‘liked her voice so much’.
She took the challenge in her stride and belted out a stunning rendition of Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.
Sofia began the critique by praising: ‘It was amazing, we’re all mesmerized by you. Your voice, you’re an angel.
‘A lot of people don’t believe in angels but I think one just landed on our stage. You’re a superstar,’ Howie Mandel continued, as Heidi Klum agreed: ‘You sounded so beautiful tonight,’ Heidi agreed.
‘I think we’re all feeling the same thing,’ Simon replied. ‘You’re 17, you write songs, you’ve got an amazing, distinctive voice. You have a glow about you.’
Smacking the golden buzzer, he rejoined Putri on stage, adding: ‘You are, I think, one of the best singers we’ve ever had on our show.
‘I am blown away, and you’re a great songwriter.’
Fans watching on from home couldn’t cope with the scenes, and flocked to Twitter to praise Putri’s talents.
‘Putri Ariani’s voice is absolutely astonishing! #AGT #AGTAuditions,’ a viewer commented.
A Twitter user said: ‘I love Putri and she deserved golden buzzer #agt.’
‘I hope Elton and Bernie were watching Putri’s cover of “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”,’ one wrote.
‘She delivered one of my all-time favorite covers of the tune. Goosebumps all over! #AGT.’
‘Absolutely incredible! Phenomenal voice and an inspiration,’ another agreed. ‘I think Putri Ariani is our next winner! #GoldenBuzzer well deserved #AGT.’
Heidi herself added: ‘What an inspiring story… What an incredible voice… I can see a Grammy in the future for Putri #AGT.’
With the golden buzzer, Putri has been sent straight into the live shows, something she is thrilled about.
‘I can’t describe how grateful I am and how amazing and magical that moment [was] for me,’ she told People Magazine. ‘It’s so incredible. I never expected that it would happen to me.
‘It’s such a dream and this was my first time to go to America.
‘I’m so happy because people there appreciate me so much. I’m speechless.’
