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Why Heidi Klum Called Firefighter Trent Toney’s Ex in the Middle of His Audition
Oregon man Trent Toney hoped to win back his ex-wife with his original ballad, "Always and Lately."
Love is in the air on America’s Got Talent, where one Oregon man hoped to win back the love of his life with an “absolutely beautiful” original song.
Firefighter Trent Toney of Hillsboro, Oregon joined the AGT competition with his keyboard for what Judge Sofia Vergara would soon call “the perfect audition.”
Other Judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, and Heidi Klum might have been disappointed not to see Toney dressed in his firefighting gear, but they were more than happy to hear he wrote a song specifically for a woman named Faith.
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“I’m still in love with her,” Toney confessed, much to everyone's melting hearts.
Who is Trent Toney?
Separate from the AGT stage, 30-year-old Toney — whom Klum referred to as "handsome" several times during his Audition — is already establishing himself as a talented songwriter and singer. He has thousands of followers subscribed to his YouTube channel, which he began in college, featuring a handful of original indie and alt-pop songs and videos.
Thanks to his parents' encouragement, Toney started playing the piano at age 7 and continued lessons throughout high school. He became more immersed in his craft following a rough breakup, which occurred during or soon after his time in college. He locked himself in a room, taught himself guitar, and began writing songs that eventually brought him to the level of musical passion he feels today, according to Music Industry Weekly.
Toney keeps busy with gigs around Hillsboro and Portland, which he says is “a fun scene to get into,” according to his website.
“My friends are a major influence to my music; they go to my shows and listen to my songs,” Toney previously stated. “They make me want to make fun videos and encourage me to do my best. I’m thankful to God for them and any opportunity I get to play music.”
In 2021, New York Weekly profiled the West Coast performer, saying, “A high level of creativity plays a significant role in his songwriting process. It’s not typical pop music, which makes Trent Toney a refreshing figure in the industry.”
His indie songs can be found on Apple, Spotify, and Pandora.
Are Trent Toney and his ex together now?
Toney came to the AGT competition with his original song, “Always and Lately,” saying he wrote the ballad about his ex-wife, Faith.
“I used to be married,” Toney told the Judges. “I think we were immature; I think we both made a lot of mistakes, but I don’t think getting married to her was one of them.”
According to AGT, the pair remain close friends and are not romantically involved today.
Toney told the Judges he wanted Faith back “yesterday,” though it was unclear if his separation from Faith was the same breakup that helped him discover his true passion for music.
Klum asked whether she should call his ex, prompting Klum to go onstage. Toney ran back to fetch his cell phone as the live audience chanted, “Call her,” before Klum placed the video call.
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“Does that attract a woman to come back if Heidi Klum is calling her?” Mandel asked.
All in attendance waited with bated breath — including AGT Host Terry Crews, who crossed his fingers — until Faith answered after the fourth ring. Fans could see Faith smiling on the other end of the call as Klum called Toney a “handsome firefighter.”
When she returned to the Judges’ panel, Klum took the phone with her while Toney performed “Always and Lately.”
Trent Toney's AGT performance
After investing so much into Toney’s love life, the Judges crossed their fingers in hopes that he was talented. Thankfully, any reservations were quashed when he began to sing the love song, eventually bringing Cowell to his feet.
Klum held the phone so Faith could listen to the loud round of applause.
“The whole room was standing for your firefighter, Trent,” Klum told the smiling woman. “He sounded amazing.”
Cowell told the singer that wearing his heart on his sleeve was “very brave” and something he “seriously wouldn’t” have done himself.
“People, I think, are going to like you,” said Cowell. “And I think you have a really, really good voice; this is one of those auditions people are certainly gonna talk about.”
Vergara called Toney’s performance “amazing,” while Mandel said he could “feel the emotion” of Toney’s heartfelt tune.
“I could tell, just by looking at her [Faith] and seeing how she’s reacting to it,” Mandel continued. “That was absolutely beautiful.”
Toney made it past the Audition with four Yeses, and while he and Faith may not be back together, he's certainly putting a fire in all our hearts.
Keep watching more of America’s Got Talent as the competition continues, Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC and the next day on Peacock. Following AGT, you can watch Hot Wheels: Ultimate Challenge Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC and next day on Peacock.
