This video captures the electrifying audition of singer Liv Warfield on America’s Got Talent (AGT) Season 19, which earned her the coveted Golden Buzzer from the usually hard-to-please judge, Simon Cowell. The performance was an absolute powerhouse display of raw talent, decades of professional experience, and undeniable stage presence, securing her spot in the live shows of the competition.
The Audition: An Explosive Rock & Soul Performance 🎤🎸
Liv Warfield, an R&B and soul singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois, stepped onto the AGT stage not as a novice, but as a seasoned professional, and her presence was instantly captivating. Accompanied by her incredible and energetic band, she chose to perform her original song, “Stare,” from her 2023 album, The Edge.
From the very first note, Liv’s performance was an adrenaline-fueled experience. Her vocals were described as “soulful” and “unbelievable,” possessing a powerhouse quality with a distinct, deeper tone. Blending rock and soul, Liv’s performance was much more than just singing; it was a full spectacle, complete with “funky dance moves” and an electrifying stage presence that got the entire audience on its feet, dancing and cheering along. Her energy was so intense and commanding that it was compared to a force of nature.
The Judges’ Reaction and the Golden Buzzer Moment ✨
The judges were left completely stunned by the sheer force of Liv Warfield’s talent.
- Simon Cowell, the notoriously critical judge, was visibly “jaw-dropping” and “genuinely stunned” by the performance. His immediate reaction was, “That wasn’t long enough!”. He encapsulated the feeling by saying her energy was “like being, in a good way, punched in the face by your energy, the band, all these years of frustration, and you come on here”. This powerful, emotional delivery of her frustration and her dream, coupled with her magnificent talent, led Cowell to slam the Golden Buzzer, showering Liv and her band with golden confetti and sending her straight to the Live Shows.
- Sofia Vergara and Howie Mandel were also seen grinning and in awe of the spectacle, giving her a standing ovation.
Simon even rushed up onto the stage to congratulate Liv with an emotional hug, telling her, “You just made our show great, thank you,” emphasizing the impact she instantly had on the competition. This reaction proved that even for a professional artist, the AGT stage can be a pivotal, life-changing moment.
A Legacy Connected to a Legend: The Prince Connection 👑
What makes Liv Warfield’s story even more compelling is her deep musical history, particularly her close professional relationship with the late music legend, Prince.
- The New Power Generation (NPG): Liv’s big break came in 2009 when Prince personally selected her to join his iconic backing band, The New Power Generation (NPG), after seeing a video of her performing The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter”. She toured with Prince and the NPG for five years, developing her stage presence and musicality under his mentorship.
- Prince as Mentor and Producer: Prince was not just her bandleader; he was her mentor, teaching her to “really listen to the music” and understand how to give space and arrangement to every instrument. He even executive-produced her second solo album, The Unexpected (2014), and co-wrote the title track, “The Unexpected,” specifically for her. She also toured with other greats like Lionel Richie and Cyndi Lauper.
- Stepping Into Her Own: Despite her incredible resume and chart-topping achievements with Prince, Liv felt her “ultimate potential” had yet to be reached. Her audition was a powerful statement of her readiness to step fully into the spotlight as a solo artist, not just a backup singer for a legend, proving that her years of climbing the musical ladder had finally led to this glorious, golden moment.
Liv Warfield’s Golden Buzzer audition for her original song “Stare” is a powerful testament to the idea that passion, hard work, and decades of dedication can culminate in an unforgettable moment of recognition, even for a music veteran. She is also part of the band Roadcase Royale with Heart’s Nancy Wilson. Her journey from secretly singing Whitney Houston songs in a strict Pentecostal household to a track scholarship athlete, to a singer who once slept in her car, to a Prince protégé, and finally, to an AGT Golden Buzzer winner, is the definition of inspirational resilience. It was truly a million-dollar performance! 🏆
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