Man falsely imprisoned for 37 years gives unforgettable ‘America's Got Talent’ audition

Man falsely imprisoned for 37 years gives unforgettable ‘America's Got Talent’ audition

The man gave Elton John's classic ‘Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me’ a whole new meaning, receiving a standing ovation from all the judges and special praise from Simon Cowell. 

Archie Williams
Archie Williams/ YouTube screenshot

It is not every day that Simon Cowell praises people who audition on ‘America’s Got Talent’.

In fact, he is the toughest judge to please.

However, Archie Williams, a man who was wrongfully imprisoned in Angola for 37 years, is one of the talented hopefuls who gave Simon an unforgettable experience. 

READ: Making Africa proud: Ndlovu Youth Choir shine bright in final of 'America's Got Talent'

Williams received a life sentence after a woman was stabbed and raped in her home in 1982.

After being in prison for three decades, Williams was found not guilty and freed in March 2019, after new fingerprint technology matched another man to the crimes.

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The gentleman ascended the 'America’s Got Talent' stage wearing a grey suit and explained how he had been picturing himself on the stage for so many years while serving time in prison for a crime he did not commit. 

"I always desired to be on a stage like this, and now I'm here. Thank God. I know it's the chance of a lifetime,” he told the judges. 

Williams sang his heart out, doing a rendition of Elton John's classic, ‘Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me’. 

READ: Elton John: Five decades of great music

His performance moved the crowd and the judges. He even received praise from Simon. 

The talent scout and record producer posted a snippet of the performance on his Twitter page, stating that this is an audition he will never forget. 

“This is Archie Williams. I will never forget this audition for the rest of my life. And I’ll never listen to this song in the same way ever again,” he wrote. 

Watch Williams’s heart-warming performance below:

Image courtesy of YouTube screenshot

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