Irish singer-songwriter Stephanie Rainey received a standing ovation from the audience last night during her audition on Tuesday night's America's Got Talent. She also received four yeses from the judges.

The Cork singer performed an emotional version of her song 'Please Don't Go', which was written about her younger nephew Fionn, who passed away before his first birthday from meningitis.

Before Stephanie sang the song, judge Sofía Vergara questioned her on her musical journey, asking if she had ever taken part in a singing competition like America's Got Talent before.

"I've had a very rollercoaster career, I would say," Rainey replied.

"This song that I'm going to play has had a big moment in the past. We made it in a tiny room and put it up one Monday morning, and by the end of the day, it had a million views."

She explained that she signed a record deal after the track's release but "probably didn't fully know who I was when I signed that deal."

"The journey from then to now has been hard," she added. "It's a tough industry; you have to be resilient. You have to be willing to pick yourself back up. So here I am."

Judge Simon Cowell followed up by asking Rainey what the song she was going to perform was about.

"I wrote it about losing my nephew when I was a teenager," Stephanie explained. "He was about to turn one; it was the day before his first birthday, and he passed away. It took me a long time to write a song about it.

"Honestly, I was about to give up music, and I wanted to make something for me that I believe in; this song means more than I can describe."

"Good for you for doing that and not giving up," Cowell replied. "I know how difficult the music business is. There are so many great people who are giving up, and that's why a platform like this is still really important.

"Well, look, we're rooting for you," he added before the Irish singer began her performance.

 

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Her act was enthusiastically received by the audience and judges alike, who gave her a standing ovation.

Vergara, moved to tears, said it was "such a beautiful, heartfelt song."

Judge Howie Mandel, from Canada, was equally impressed. "Very few acts move people," he said, "and that was one of the most relatable, emotional moments we've had on season 19, so thank you."

Judge Heidi Klum agreed with her fellow judges, saying that Rainey's voice sounded amazing on the stage and that it "was just a real special moment."

Cowell wrapped up the judge's praise.

"Of all the new songs I've heard this year, this is the best by a mile," he said. "Even though it's about something really sad, it's real.

"And your voice is beautiful. A lot of people are going to resonate with that song. I absolutely love this."

After all four judges gave Rainey a 'yes,' Cowell said, "I'm going to give you about 4,000 yeses" before joining Rainey onstage. "That was what I call a moment. That song is so beautiful," he concluded, and thanked her for the performance.

Rainey wrote 'Please Don't Go' nearly a decade ago, in 2015; since its release, the single has already garnered 5 million views worldwide on YouTube and Facebook. The track has over 8 million Spotify streams and  40 million combined views on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram since September 2023.

The Cork singer-songwriter revisited the song earlier this month with 'Please Don't Go Steph's Version', giving a fresh perspective on her emotional single.

Rainey recently announced two Irish headline shows yesterday and is set to take the stage in Vicar Street on November 14 this year and in Cork City Hall on December 18.

Tickets go on sale this Friday 28th June at 10.00 am. See here for Dublin tickets and here for Cork tickets.

Check out Rainey's performance below: