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How “Beautiful” Gabriel Henrique’s Unbelievable High Notes Led to a Golden Buzzer
Judge Heidi Klum described Gabriel Henrique's unbelievable talent as what would happen if "Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey had a baby."
Being able to channel one amazing pop icon is impressive, but Gabriel Henrique’s “perfect” performance on America’s Got Talent earned him comparisons to two music legends.
“I mean if Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey had a baby it would be Gabriel,” Heidi Klum raved after Henrique’s show-stopping performance that had all four Judges on their feet..
The Brazilian singer ignited the crowd after hitting a series of unbelievable high notes and flawless runs that left Sofia Vergara stunned.
“I mean I don’t have words, that was so perfect. Spectacular,” she said. “Your voice is beautiful. Your energy, who you are, it was, like, perfect.”
What song did Gabriel Henrique sing?
While most may steer clear of any songs made famous by Whitney Houston (she was once dubbed “The Voice” by record producer Clive Davis, after all), Henrique plunged straight into the late diva’s song catalog, performing a cover of “Run to You.”
And it was clear within the first few notes that Henrique was definitely up to the challenge. As he transitioned from one epic run to the next, the crowd got on their feet, loudly cheering him on.
“I did not expect that voice to come out of you,” Howie Mandel exclaimed after the final high note. “You sound like the best and finest pop diva there ever was. I would imagine if people are watching this now in the other room they’re gonna go, did you hear that song? Come in and see who sang that. You’re amazing.”
Through a translator, Henrique explained that he had come to the United States for the first time from his home in Brazil to audition for the talent competition.
“I’m just realizing a dream to be here to sing for you guys here in the United States,” he said.
Who is Gabriel Henrique?
While it may have been his first time in the States, Henrique is no stranger to music. His YouTube channel, which features his original songs as well as covers by Houston, Christina Aguilera, and more pop sensations, has 432K subscribers. His cover of Houston’s “I Have Nothing” has 3.6 million views.
Music is also the focus of his Instagram account, where he’s amassed another 304K followers and earned a recent “like” from Dream Girl herself Jennifer Hudson.
“Finally!!! I am very thrilled and happy to announce my participation on America’s Got Talent, that will air next Tuesday, August 1st on NBC. I am super excited!!!” he wrote alongside a photo of himself taking the AGT stage.
Who gave Gabriel Henrique the Golden Buzzer?
After his performance of “Run to Me,” Judge Simon Cowell predicted the singer would quickly be embraced by AGT fans.
“Gabriel, people are going to really like you. You’re just so interesting. I can tell that you sang in church and you don’t know how good you are,” he said. “It was amazing.”
For Vergara, Henrique’s talent stood out from the pack.
“You’re here every time as a Judge waiting for that feeling and that was what I was waiting for, you know, something very beautiful and very heartfelt,” she said before slamming the Golden Buzzer and sending a sea of golden confetti reigning down on an elated Henrique.
“Congratulations! You’re so good!” she shouted.
Vergara then took to the stage, where she and Henrique embraced and the two shared a word in Spanish.
“How spectacular. You had us dying over here,” she told him.
When the confetti settled and Henrique regrouped backstage, with Vergara and Host Terry Crews by his side, the singer still seemed amazed.
“I can’t believe it,” he said. “Thank you very much.”
