A 13-year-old’s dream moment with Simon Cowell quickly hit a sour note — and took an uncomfortable turn.
Chase Varnes, who hails from Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia, risked it all to fulfill his dreams on a Tuesday episode of “America’s Got Talent.” But that tune of triumph briefly slipped into a minor key.
Varnes took the stage, guitar in hand, and began strumming a melodic tune, only to be cut off mid-performance by Cowell.
“I didn’t love the song,” Cowell said, with the room echoing in shock.
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Still, the notoriously sharp-tongued judge softened the blow, clarifying that while the song itself struck a wrong chord, he did enjoy the young artist’s tone and presence. He then asked the singer if he “had another song?”
Without missing a beat, Varnes pivoted to Ed Sheeran’s “Life Goes On” and soon became a crowd favorite. But a standing ovation couldn’t resolve the suspense that came when the musician faced the panel of judges.
“You know, you remind me of a young Justin Bieber,” fellow judge Howie Mandel told the artist, who lit up with a smile on his face.
Judge Sophia Vergara also sang Varnes’ praises, and agreed with Cowell’s earlier suggestion to switch songs.
Then, came Mel B’s turn at the mic.
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“You were great,” the former Spice Girl said. “You’re a diamond in the rough. You have so much potential. But I can see your nervousness. You’re not quite there yet for me.”
The pop star was met with a resounding boo from the crowd, and then came the judges’ votes.
Mandel and Vergara gave enthusiastic yeses, while Mel B stood her ground with a no. Varnes’ future in the competition came down to Cowell’s vote.
“Sometimes we have on people your age, and I’m kind of like, ‘OK, I’ll be sort of nicer because you’re young,’” Cowell said. “You, I actually do believe that you have something.”
He then told Varnes, “You’ve got everything going for you, and the audience loved you, which is why you’re gonna get three yeses.”
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