America’s Got Talent has a history of presenting touching stories, but this story melted viewers’ hearts so much that it brought them to tears.
Moms Holly Campbell, of Odessa, New York, and Kim Scadlock, of Eugene, Oregon, took the stage for a segment dubbed by AGT as “2 Moms United by One Heart.”
Speaking to jurors Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel, Holly revealed that her baby boy died and because he was signed up as an organ donor, his heart went out to Kim’s 16-day-old son.
The two women didn’t know each other at the time, but they had both sung the same song to their sons during these life-changing moments.
An act to remember: The audition episode ended with “2 Moms United by One Heart” on stage with moms Holly Campbell and Kim Scadlock
Holly explained that the last song she sang to her son before he died was For Good from the hit musical Wicked.
Meanwhile, Kim also sang the same song to her son right after his heart transplant.
So when the two women took the stage for their audition, she sang the tune, causing both judges Sofia and Heidi and spectators to burst into tears.
Viewers at home were just as emotional, admitting they couldn’t stop crying.
“This brought me to tears,” one user tweeted while sharing a video of the performance.
Another wrote: ‘Can’t stop crying… what a story… amazing!’
‘Oh no, the water pipes are flowing again! What a story,’ agreed a third.
Viewers at home were just as emotional, admitting they couldn’t stop crying
Others thanked the two women for being brave enough to share their stories.
Thank you for sharing an incredible journey. You turned a difficult emotional roller coaster situation into a rallying cry about organ donation,” one viewer tweeted.
Another used it as an opportunity to promote their goal of becoming an organ donor and thank them.
“No one will forget this #AGT moment,” they wrote.
Thank you to these two incredible women for inspiring others to #DonateLife. Register as an organ, eye and tissue donor today!’
Golisano Children’s Hospital, the hospital where Holly’s son donated his heart, even responded to the touching clip.
“Absolute chills,” the hospital’s Twitter account wrote.
“What a moving story of two families, united forever by heart and song, that began at GCH.”
Emotional audition: Heidi Klum (pictured) and Sofia Vergara were moved to tears by two moms promoting organ donation by singing on Tuesday’s episode of AGT
Others thanked the two women for being brave enough to share their stories
But some left comments on the video beating the judges for advancing to the next round, even though they felt the women weren’t the best singers.
However, fans came to their defense, claiming that these women and their heartwarming story have a place in the competition.
“Understand that AGT is a show of talent, but this story of humanity, love and compassion is a healthy intake for our souls,” one user wrote.
Another viewer said the quality of their story was priceless.
“It’s not a million dollar act. But the story is priceless, I loved it and money can’t buy that,” they tweeted.
Some left comments on the video slapping the judges for letting them through, but fans came to their defense
Magic moment: “That was probably the most magical moment I’ve ever experienced on America’s Got Talent,” said Judge Howie Mandel, 67,
For their rendition of Wicked’s For Good, the women stood before the four judges and explained their relationship to each other.
Holly revealed that they met because her baby boy was an organ donor when he died in 2007 and his heart went out to Kim’s son.
“My son was 16 days old when he got the heart,” Kim said.
“And we lived thousands of miles apart and had no idea who each other were.”
Holly added, “Never met and the last song I sang to Jake to say goodbye to him was “For Good” from the musical Wicked.”
Kim then revealed, “And when Beckham finished his heart transplant, I wasn’t allowed to hold him.
“I could just pat his head. And the first thing I did when I stroked his head was I sang that Wicked song ‘For Good.’
Wiping away tears: Sofia wiped away tears after being moved by ‘2 Moms United By One Heart’
Franchise Maker: Let me tell you something that will make a difference, which you did. I promise you. It will really, really happen,” said judge and franchise holder Simon Cowell, 63
Organ recipient: Kim’s son Beckham joined them on stage after they performed
Holly said they didn’t meet until several years later when Kim wrote her a letter.
And when they finally met, Kim gave Holly a hug and it was “one of the best moments of my life.”
After their performance was over, the judges raved about the “magic moment” the two shared onstage as they sang a song that meant so much to both of them.
“That was probably the most magical moment I’ve ever experienced on America’s Got Talent,” said judge Howie, 67.
“What strong women, what a story,” said 50-year-old Heidi with a tear streaming down her cheeks.
“Let me tell you something that will make a difference, which you did. I promise you. It will really, really happen,” said judge and franchise holder Simon Cowell, 63.
Kim’s son Beckham also joined the women on stage and helped them celebrate as all four judges said ‘yes’ and passed them through to the next round of the competition.