After a brief hiatus for the Paris Summer Olympics, America’s Got Talent made a triumphant return on Aug. 13 with the first of four live quarterfinal rounds.
Among the eleven acts that took the stage, it was Liv Warfield, a Peoria, IL native and former protégé of Prince, who stole the spotlight with a powerful rendition of “The Unexpected”—a song written specifically for her by the legendary artist.
Warfield, who previously wowed audiences and earned the coveted Golden Buzzer during her audition, delivered a performance that was nothing short of electrifying.
Backed by her horn-heavy band, she brought a raw emotional intensity to the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, leaving the judges in awe.
Simon Cowell, known for his critical eye, was particularly impressed.
“If this was the Olympics for singing, you would have won the gold medal,” he declared. “It felt to me like all those years you’ve been climbing the ladder to where you want to be, it all came out in those three minutes.”
Sofia Vergara echoed Cowell’s sentiments, calling Warfield’s performance “Perfection.” She added:
“Your outfit, your voice, the song—it’s amazing to have an artist like you here with us.”
Howie Mandel, a self-professed Prince fan, offered his own high praise, saying:
“Prince knew what he was doing when he gave you this gem. That was a million-dollar performance. America is crazy if they don’t vote for you—that’s your drop-the-mic moment.”
Warfield’s connection to Prince runs deep. As a former member of his New Power Generation, she was mentored by the iconic artist, who played a significant role in shaping her career.
In a heartfelt pre-performance interview, Warfield reflected on her journey, saying:
“Backing up Prince was a dream. But I still haven’t reached the heights I know I can reach. The golden buzzer … when I got home I cried in the car … I cried hard. I didn’t think this would be happening. I’m just everyday people.”
The audience’s response was overwhelming, with fans taking to social media to express their admiration.
One commenter wrote:
“Liv is one of the most talented people that AGT introduced to me,” while another added, “The fact she shared a stage with Prince and sang a song he wrote for her—that alone is amazing. You got my vote.”
As the live rounds continue, Warfield has emerged as a top contender, with many eagerly anticipating her next performance.
Beyond her success on AGT, Warfield has also made significant strides in the music industry.
Her album The Unexpected reached No. 3 on the Top R&B Albums chart in 2014, and her single “Stay – ‘Soul Lifted’” made a notable impact on Adult R&B Airplay.
