“The judges joked, the audience chuckled — but the moment he opened his mouth, the room transformed.”
Nineteen-year-old Luca Di Stefano from Sicily walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage with nerves written all over him. His accent was thick, his hands were shaking, and he struggled to introduce himself. The judges teased him playfully, and the mood felt light and humorous.
No one — not the judges, not the crowd, not the viewers at home — expected what would happen next.
Luca chose a soul classic that most seasoned performers would fear: “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye.
The instant he started singing, everything changed.
His shy persona vanished, replaced by a confident, smooth, rich tone that filled the entire theater. His voice was deep, soulful, and shockingly mature for someone his age. The contrast between his timid speaking voice and his powerful singing voice left the judges visibly stunned.
Sofía Vergara was the first to react, shouting, “I would not have thought that was your voice in a million years!”
Howie Mandel grinned ear to ear, telling him, “I wasn’t expecting that out of you — I could listen to you all night long.”
Luca himself looked overwhelmed, as if he couldn’t fully believe what he had just done. The judges praised the authenticity, the confidence, and the power behind his voice.
In the end, he earned a unanimous “YES” from the panel, securing his place in the next round — and possibly in AGT history.
