Did Louisville's D'Corey Johnson make it to 'America's Got Talent' finale?
On Tuesday, a former Bates Elementary School student was back in the national limelight, hoping to once again impress NBC's "America's Got Talent" judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara.
If it feels like forever since Louisville's D'Corey Johnson wowed the four celebrity judges during his audition on Season 18 of "America's Got Talent," you aren't wrong. America's most popular televised talent show runs across 15 weeks and first started airing pre-taped auditions in May. That's when viewers were introduced to Johnson, an 11-year-old, vocal powerhouse from Louisville who belted out Journey's "Open Arms" and received four "yes" votes from the judges and a standing ovation from the audience.
"It was an amazing feeling," Johnson previously told the Courier Journal. "I want to sing in front of people forever. I hope to sing on Broadway one day."
After his stellar audition, Johnson received expert advice from a past AGT contestant. China Lacy, a member of Louisville's "Linkin Bridge," was a semi-finalist on Season 11.
"He told me to be myself and not try to be like anyone else," Johnson told the Courier Journal. " He said 'Go out there and show the people what you are all about and you'll be a success.'"
And that's exactly what Johnson did on Tuesday during the fourth week of Season 18 of AGT's Live Shows. During the Live Shows, 11 acts perform on each episode, so the pressure was high as Johnson stepped onto the national stage knowing only two acts that night would move on to compete in the finals and have the chance to win the $1 million grand prize and a show in Las Vegas.
For his Live Show performance, Johnson was surrounded by twinkling white lights while he sang "Wishing on a Star," which he dedicated to his sister who was seated in the audience.
"I feel like you really improved from last time," Klum told the young performer at the conclusion of his performance. "You sang with so much elegance."
Cowell said, "You are adorable, you've got the best personality and I love the fact that you know who you want to be as an artist."
But which of the 11 acts chosen to move onto the finals isn't in the judges' hands. The Live Shows are decided by fan votes and unfortunately, Johnson was voted out of the competition during Wednesday night's Live Results Shows.
The acts moving on to the finale will perform on Tuesday, Sept. 26 and the $1 million grand prize winner will be announced the following night, Wednesday, Sept. 27.
Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville's D'Corey Johnson voted off Season 18 America's Got Talent
