Thirty-four-year-old BJ Griffin, an entertainer from Virginia Beach, Virginia, brought a unique instrument and a determined spirit to the America’s Got Talent (AGT) stage. BJ revealed that he had once faced a tough decision, choosing to quit football in high school against his parents’ wishes to pursue his true passion: music. Armed with an electric cello, he explained that he was tired of “holding himself back” and was now ready to achieve his dream of sharing “healing through his music with the world.” The audience and judges were immediately intrigued by the sight of the electric cello—an instrument rarely featured in a contemporary singing audition.
BJ launched into a soulful and smooth cover of Al Green’s classic, “Let’s Stay Together.” The performance was a revelation, perfectly fusing his powerful, warm vocals with the deep, melodic sounds of the electric cello. He didn’t just play and sing; he commanded the stage, swaying and gesturing with the confidence of a seasoned performer. The combination was utterly unexpected: a modern, R&B vocal delivery layered over the rich, classical backbone of the cello, instantly captivating the entire auditorium and proving his commitment to music was the right choice years ago.
The judges were completely swept away by his unique talent. Howie Mandel, visibly impressed, called BJ his absolute “favorite” in the singing category, praising his energy and glow. Simon Cowell, recognizing the star quality, declared, “That’s what you call a moment,” and complimented BJ’s truly “stunning” and distinctive voice. The entire panel agreed that his audition was memorable and full of energy. After such a commanding performance that successfully blended classical instrumentation with a soulful contemporary style, BJ Griffin secured four unanimous “yeses” to move forward in the competition.
