The 20th season of America's Got Talent kicked off with an electrifying premiere on Tuesday, May 27, delivering a night filled with excitement, mesmerizing performances, and highly emotional moments. The milestone season opener saw judges Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell each award their coveted Golden Buzzers to two exceptionally deserving acts, setting a high bar for the competition ahead.

One of the standout recipients was 23-year-old singer Jourdan Blue from New Orleans. Jourdan, who makes a living as a street performer, shared his compelling life story. He sings late into the night to provide for his girlfriend and young son, Jax. Fatherhood, he admitted, came when he wasn't ready but taught him valuable life lessons and a desire to lead by example for his son by chasing his dreams. Jourdan's journey was not without hardship; born to a police officer mother and a lawyer father, he described himself as a rebel during his teenage years, leading him down a difficult path where he was kicked out of school and, at 16, found himself homeless, often sleeping in bathrooms at his workplaces.

His life took a turn when his grandfather, affectionately called 'Grandpappy John,' discovered his plight, drove out to get him, and offered him a home. Jourdan has lived with his grandfather ever since, and this close bond was evident as his grandfather watched his audition via FaceTime, assisted by host Terry Crews. Jourdan's decision to audition for AGT was profoundly influenced by a tragic attack in New Orleans on January 1, 2025, on Bourbon Street, the very block where he performs. This event, he explained tearfully, made him realize there was much more to live for and spurred him to seize the opportunity AGT represented to 'level up'.

For his audition, Jourdan delivered a powerful and moving rendition of The Script's "Breakeven (Falling to Pieces)." His performance captivated both the audience and the judges, earning him a standing ovation. Sofia Vergara called him a "rockstar" and praised his energy. Mel B remarked that it felt like she was "hearing that song for the first time," lauding his "tone" and "pitch-perfect" delivery. Simon Cowell commended Jourdan's "distinctive voice" and his natural ability to connect with the audience, stating the performance made him feel "amazing."

It was Howie Mandel, however, who was most visibly moved. Addressing Jourdan, Howie said, "That stage and that moment can take you anywhere and this is just the beginning of where you can go." He then dramatically hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Jourdan directly to the Live Shows. Overcome with emotion, Jourdan fell to his knees in tears as golden confetti rained down. He sweetly collected some pieces, later being gifted a box of confetti to take home to his grandfather. His girlfriend and son joined him on stage to celebrate the momentous occasion, with Howie affirming, "I think you're a star."

The emotional highs continued as Simon Cowell also used his Golden Buzzer earlier in the episode for Light Wire, an innovative group from Brazil. Light Wire's act involved a breathtaking combination of dance and lights to create immersive art performances. Simon was profoundly impressed, declaring their performance "one of the most beautiful, stunning acts to see across all of the Got Talents." He added that they were "magic" and "one of my favorite ever acts." The members of Light Wire were ecstatic, jumping and hugging on stage with tears of joy, their leader proclaiming, "This is a dream come true!"

The season 20 premiere of America's Got Talent set a remarkable tone for what promises to be an unforgettable season. Viewers can catch new episodes on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, with performances available for streaming the next day on Peacock.