America’s Got Talent, one of the Americas’ most watched talent competitions, recently showcased a well-known figure for Eurovision enthusiasts. Gabriella Laberge, a French-Canadian vocalist and violinist who participated in France’s Destination Eurovision in 2019, performed an awe-inspiring audition that left both the audience and judges spellbound.
Prior to her performance on the AGT stage, Gabriella opened up about her aspirations in a pre-show video. “This is the chance of a lifetime,” she shared, “to pursue my greatest dream, which is making music for the rest of my life.”
The Quebec-born performer took the stage next with her violin, starting her audition with a soft, elegant solo piece.
As judges Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara, and Heidi Klum were clearly captivated by her performance, Simon Cowell appeared less interested. His finger lingered near the red buzzer, indicating he was prepared to end her act. However, Gabriella had an unexpected twist in store.
As Gabriella seamlessly switched from playing to singing, she delivered a heartfelt version of James Blunt’s “Goodbye My Lover.” Her ethereal voice immediately drew Cowell’s attention, causing him to pull his hand away from the buzzer.
Her performance resulted in a standing ovation from both the judges and the audience, with Cowell himself joining in the applause. The panel unanimously agreed to advance her to the next stage of the competition.
With more than 150 acts receiving “yes” votes throughout the season, only 36 will advance to the live shows. Fans will have to wait until the series returns after a three-week break to discover if Gabriella will make it to the finals.
Gabriella’s journey on television began in 2019 when she competed in the second season of France’s Destination Eurovision. Her song, “On cherche encore (Never Get Enough),” quickly became a fan favorite.
On a brisk autumn morning, Tom Harris — a devoted farmer in a sleepy countryside town — found himself at the heart of an extraordinary and life-altering moment. For decades, Tom had poured his sweat into the soil, building a modest, content life alongside his wife, Maggie, on their cherished little farm. In their community, Tom was the kind of man everyone knew: generous, dependable, never one to expect anything in return. But on this day, his quiet world was about to be turned upside down.
It started like any ordinary morning on the farm—Tom was already out in the fields, tending to his crops and getting things ready before the cold season rolled in. Inside, Maggie was busy in the kitchen, making breakfast, when a sudden, urgent knock broke the quiet rhythm of her morning.
She opened the front door to find a young boy, no older than ten, standing nervously on the porch. His clothes were ripped and dirty, and he looked worn out, his wide eyes filled with fear.
“Ma’am… I’m sorry to bother you,” the boy stammered, his voice barely steady. “I’ve been lost in the woods for hours. I don’t even know how I got here… I just can’t find my way back.”
Maggie, ever the protector, quickly brought the boy inside and gave him a glass of water. Her heart ached at the thought of a child wandering alone through the thick woods. Without hesitation, she went off to find Tom.
When Tom heard what had happened, he didn’t waste a second. Dropping everything, he headed straight for the forest with the boy beside him. The hours stretched on, but thanks to Tom’s deep knowledge of the land and his unshakable focus, he eventually located the child’s family. They were overwhelmed with emotion — scared and desperate — and greeted their son with tearful gratitude. Their relief was obvious, and they couldn’t thank Tom enough for safely reuniting them.
But, as life so often reminds us, the unexpected was just around the corner.
The Setback
Just days after the rescue, a letter from the bank brought devastating news. They were moving ahead with the foreclosure of Tom’s farm. A string of tough breaks had caused him to fall behind on payments, and despite his tireless efforts, he couldn’t catch up. In their quiet town, extra work was scarce, and the weight of losing the land he had hoped to leave to his children hit him hard.
Tom’s chest tightened as he walked through the quiet barn, eyes scanning the land he’d poured his life into. Every inch held a memory—early mornings, long hours, the laughter he and Maggie shared amid the hard work. The farm was more than soil and fences—it was their life, built with sweat, patience, and love.
The sound of tires crunching gravel snapped him out of his thoughts. The sheriff had arrived, foreclosure notice in hand. As the paper was nailed to the front gate, Tom felt his world crumble.
He had always taken pride in providing, in building something lasting. But now, it all felt like it was slipping away—his farm, his home… his legacy—being stripped from him piece by piece.
Shaq’s Surprise Visit
That evening, as Tom relaxed on his porch, staring across the sprawling fields he was about to lose, something out of the ordinary unfolded.
Just as the morning light crept in, a firm knock echoed on his door. When he answered, a polished black SUV was waiting in the driveway, and a towering figure emerged. There was no mistaking him.
It was Shaquille O’Neal—the basketball icon, celebrated not just for his legendary plays, but also for his sharp business mind and generous spirit.
“Mr. Harris, I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time,” Shaq said with a kind grin. “I’m Shaquille O’Neal.”
Tom blinked, completely taken aback. “Hold on—Shaquille O’Neal? The Shaquille O’Neal?” he asked, struggling to wrap his head around the bizarre moment.
