WATCH: Nightbirde’s 'America’s Got Talent' audition that moved Simon Cowell and the judges
Singer and songwriter Jane Marczewski, also known as “Nightbirde,” presented one the most moving performances in America’s Got Talent’s Season 16 that made the judges emotional, including the typically unflappable Simon Cowell.
Marczewski, whose original song It’s OK touched millions worldwide, died on Feb. 19 after a four-year battle with cancer. She was 31.
It was during her audition when Marczewski revealed that she was dealing with cancer, which at the time was found in her lungs, spine and liver.
(She later revealed that she was given a 2% chance of survival. “But 2% is not zero percent. Two percent is something, and I wish people knew who amazing it is.”)
She told the judges, “It is important that everyone knows that I’m so much more than the bad things that happened to me.”
Her powerful storytelling seeped through the heartfelt performance of It’s OK, a song Marczewski described as “the story of the last year of my life,” which chronicles her struggles.
Marczewski received a standing ovation from the audience and the judges, who were visibly moved.
“Your voice is stunning, absolutely stunning,” Cowell said. “There was something about that song, you almost casually told us what you’re going through.”
Cowell then smashed the Golden Buzzer, which meant Marczewski automatically advances to the live shows.
“Everything about that was really special,” Cowell told Marczewski on stage.
Weeks after her audition, Marczewski announced on Instagram her departure from the show as her health has “taken for the worse” with her then ongoing battle with cancer. She thanked those who supported her and described her condition at the moment as “Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.”
During one of AGT's results shows in August 2021, Marczewski appeared remotely and told the judges and the viewers, “I cannot say thank you enough for the opportunity to have a moment to share my story and we are witnessing such a beautiful picture of the human spirit.”
Howie Mandel said Marczewski is a “poster human for courage in the face of adversity” just as the world continues to face many challenges.
When it was Cowell’s turn to give a message, he choked up as he recalled speaking with Marczewski a few times since her audition.
“You made the decision, rightly so, that your health is your priority right now and I know the last time we spoke you actually said that you feel like you let people down,” said Cowell, whose eyes welled up with tears.
“On behalf of us, you haven’t let anyone down. Even though you haven’t competed—you already own… the most important thing is your well-being,” he said.
As Cowell continued his message, he appeared unable to let out his words as he was overcome with emotions. “Thank you so much for auditioning on the show and for singing such a beautiful song.”
Marczewski's audition video that went viral on social media has almost 40 million views on YouTube as of this writing, and her song received millions of streams in different music platforms worldwide.
In January 2022, in what would be her final post on Instagram, Marczewski shared an update to her fans on her health situation.
“Honestly, things have been pretty brutal. But this is a photo of myself from last week where I felt pretty, and alive, and awake, and human, and real. I needed that. We’re all a little lost and it’s alright,” she wrote.
Watch Nightbirde bid her final farewell to the America's Got Talent judges below.