Dave Eminian, Peoria Journal Star
·4 min read
Liv Warfield went from a golden buzzer to a gold medal in the America's Got Talent live show quarterfinals Tuesday at Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
The Peoria native, backed by her horn-laden big band, belted out a song written by Prince and left the panel stunned.
"I thought you were great the first time," said AGT judge Simon Cowell, who gave Warfield a golden buzzer for her May audition in which she sang "Stare," an original song. "This was unbelievable. 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 3 minutes.
"If this was the Olympics for singing, you would have won the gold medal."
Background: 'America's Got Talent' live shows start Aug. 13. How to watch (and vote) for Peoria's Liv Warfield
How to vote for Liv Warfield on 'AGT'
Warfield does not yet know her fate. The quarterfinal show featured 11 acts, of which one advanced directly to the finals with a special golden buzzer, and two others will advance to the semifinals based on America's vote — Warfield's shot at advancing.
'AGT' fans will have until 6 a.m. Peoria time Wednesday to vote for the acts that performed on Tuesday's live show. Viewers can cast their votes at nbc.com/agtvote or via the AGT app, available through Google Play and the App Store.
The results of America's vote, and Warfield's fate, will be revealed live Wednesday in an AGT episode that starts at 7 p.m. Peoria time on NBC.
Liv Warfield sings Prince song on 'AGT'
Warfield, a 1997 Notre Dame High School grad, took the stage barefoot, dressed in black and silver, with a sparkling headband and flowing robe. The song opened with the lyrics "Hello, how are you, you're looking so fine it's true. Remember the first time we met? You think that was good you ain't seen nothing yet."
The song was titled "The Unexpected" and written by Prince and first recorded by Warfield. It was later performed by Prince under the title "Wow" as the opener on his 2014 album "Plectrumelectrum."
Liv Warfield has a story to tell
Warfield told her story in a Journal Star piece after her AGT audition, how she was born and raised in Peoria and was a gymnast and later high school track star before finding her musical path in college.
She touched on much of that in an NBC interview before Tuesday's performance.
More: 'It was everything': Peoria native talks about her music career, next step on America's Got Talent
"When Simon hit the golden buzzer my entire life just flashed before my eyes," she said. "As a child, I pushed to be the best at whatever I did, from wanting to be a gymnast to running track, playing violin. But when I was 21, I sang karaoke for the first time. That's when I found what I love to do.
"I've been grinding for a long time. 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.
"I'm feeling a good amount of pressure, it's a big night. I know it's my chance to show the world I can do this. Which is why I chose a special song that Prince wrote for me. It's something I hold very near and dear to my heart. And that's why I want to sing it on this stage."
What is next for Liv Warfield?
Social media loves Warfield, and so do the AGT judges.
"That was perfection, your outfit, your voice, the song," judge Sofia Vergara said. "It's amazing to have an artist like you here with us."
Said judge Howie Mandel: "I'm a huge Prince fan and he 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, drop your mic."
Seconds later, Warfield's mic was the stage floor. Warfield headed off stage with her band with this parting statement:
"You need to stay always, authentically, you. Don't change a thing. We all have the gift, we all have the talent."
Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on X.com @icetimecleve.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: AGT semifinals: Peoria native Liv Warfield shines in live show
