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Sarah Hardwig knew exactly what she was doing when she chose to cover Lainey Wilson's "Heart Like A Truck" on America's Got Talent.
Hardwig has a heart like a Mack Truck, an 18-wheeler.
Raised in Naples, Florida, and now based in Nashville, TN, Hardwig was born blind, diagnosed at just 5 months of age with a genetic eye condition, Leber's Congenital Amaurosis.
"Music has always played an important role in my life," she explained at the top of her audition. "And I want to prove to the world that regardless of whether you have a disability or not, you can do absolutely anything that you set your mind to."
The 23-year-old lives it and led by example with her performance, which aired Tuesday night, July 21. Several minutes later, Hardwig, overflowing with emotion and energy, admitted she felt "amazing."
Everyone in the room felt the same thing.
"That was beautiful and heartwarming," remarked Howie Mandel, "and you are the epitome of resilience to show up here and to sing your heart out and to move three or four thousand strangers in this room and hopefully millions of people at home, I love your message and I love your energy and this show is about inspiration and you're inspiring."
Spice Girl Mel B agreed. "Sarah, you've got a really good voice young lady. Your trills and the way you control your voice is on-point," she remarked. Mel B also dished out some criticism. The hopeful has more to give, she noted, and her next song selection should be "even bigger."
Forget that, chimed in Sofía Vergara. "Everything you did was amazing. I wouldn't change a thing. Your voice, the song, I think we all fell in love with you and everybody else is going to fall in love with you."
Simon Cowell, as he tends to do, spoke last. "I understood where Mel was going," he suggested. "Our auditions are our first introduction. However, that was a really, really good audition. I really hope this boosts your confidence, because you really, really have a natural gift."
Hardwig earned four "yeses" from the judges, a standing ovation 4,000-plus folks in the room, and progress in this 21st season of AGT.
This isn't Hardwig's first rodeo. In 2023, she won the Tennessee Songwriters Showcase, was tapped to participate in The Acoustic Guitar Project at the Country Music Hall of Fame, has won a Danny Award for musicians with disabilities, and last year made her debut at The Grand Ole Opry.
AGT airs Tuesday evening on NBC and next day on Peacock.
Watch Hardwig's audition below.
