Charity Lockhart’s America’s Got Talent audition did not go according to plan.
The 49-year-old singer walked onto the AGT stage and began an a cappella performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” But after only a short time, Simon Cowell stopped her.
Instead of ending the audition, however, Simon asked Charity if she had another song.
She did.
Charity returned with The Beatles’ “Golden Slumbers”—and the second performance completely changed the atmosphere in the room.
Mel B eventually hit her Golden Buzzer, sending Charity directly to the live shows.
Charity Lockhart Steps Onto the AGT Stage
Charity Lockhart appeared during Season 20 of America’s Got Talent in 2025.
Before performing, she shared part of her personal story with the judges. She explained that there had been a period when she and her children were living in a car following a divorce.
During that difficult period, Charity relied heavily on her voice. She approached live bands in clubs and bars and asked if she could sing with them. According to contemporary coverage, she eventually won a local singing competition, which helped her secure an apartment.
Her goal on AGT was to continue building her career as a singer.
Simon Stops the First Song
Charity chose “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for her first performance.
She performed the song a cappella, meaning there was no instrumental accompaniment behind her.
But the audition quickly became difficult.
Simon Cowell stopped Charity during the performance.
He explained that he liked her but did not feel the song was working for him. Rather than simply rejecting the audition, Simon encouraged her to try another song.
The moment created plenty of tension in the room, especially because Charity had already been nervous before beginning her performance.
Charity Had Another Song Ready
Simon asked whether Charity had another song.
She did.
Charity chose “Golden Slumbers” by The Beatles, a completely different musical direction from her first performance.
The change turned out to be significant.
Instead of performing a cappella, Charity sang with musical accompaniment, allowing her voice to sit within a fuller arrangement.
And the reaction from the judges was dramatically different.
“Golden Slumbers” Changes the Audition
Charity’s second performance quickly won over the room.
The judges and audience responded enthusiastically, and the performance ended with the judges on their feet. TVLine reported that Simon described the performance as the kind of audition people would be talking about the following day.
Then Mel B made the moment even bigger.
She told Charity that she connected with her and believed she was amazing.
Mel B then pressed the Golden Buzzer.
Gold confetti filled the stage as Charity realized that her audition had gone from a difficult opening to a direct ticket to the live shows.
Why the Second Song Worked So Differently
The contrast between the two performances is what makes Charity’s audition so memorable.
Her first choice was an exposed a cappella performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.”
Simon did not think it was working.
Her second choice was “Golden Slumbers,” performed with musical accompaniment.
That performance allowed Charity to show a different side of her voice and musical style.
It also demonstrated how much can change when a performer finds the song and arrangement that fit them best.
The Story Behind “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
Charity later explained that “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” had a personal meaning for her.
She had previously sung the song during a local talent competition while she and her children were living in a car.
She won that competition, and the success helped her secure an apartment.
That history was one reason she wanted to perform the song again on AGT.
So when Simon stopped the performance, it was not simply a song being interrupted.
For Charity, it was a song connected to an important chapter in her life.
“Golden Slumbers” Came From Her Son
There was also a personal story behind Charity’s second song.
In an interview with Parade, Charity explained that her 21-year-old son suggested “Golden Slumbers” after hearing Jennifer Hudson perform it in the animated movie Sing.
She followed his suggestion and used the song for her AGT audition.
That decision ended up changing everything.
Instead of leaving the stage after the difficult first performance, Charity found a song that allowed her to deliver the performance she wanted.
From a Difficult Start to the Golden Buzzer
Charity’s audition became one of the more dramatic transformations of AGT’s 2025 audition rounds.
She started nervously.
Simon stopped her first song.
She then changed direction.
The second performance received a completely different response, culminating in Mel B’s Golden Buzzer.
The Golden Buzzer sent Charity directly to the live shows, bypassing the usual next stage of the competition.
A Singer With a Bigger Goal
Charity’s AGT journey was also about more than singing.
In interviews, she discussed wanting to use the opportunity to help other people experiencing homelessness.
She had experienced housing insecurity herself and said she hoped success on AGT could help her eventually secure a home and support other families facing similar circumstances.
That personal motivation gave additional meaning to her appearance on the show.
Final Thoughts
Charity Lockhart’s AGT audition began with uncertainty.
She wanted to sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” a cappella, but Simon Cowell stopped her and asked her to try another song.
Charity returned with The Beatles’ “Golden Slumbers.”
This time, the judges stood up—and Mel B hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Charity directly to the live shows.
What began as a difficult audition became a Golden Buzzer moment, showing just how dramatically a performance can change when a singer finds the right song.
