EXCLUSIVE: Go behind-the-scenes of D'Corey Johnson's 'America's Got Talent' audition
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Competition is just getting underway on Season 18 of "America's Got Talent," but already, Kentucky has a contestant to root for and follow through to what we all hope will be the show's finale in September.
Wearing a green bow tie and smart sports jacket, 11-year-old D'Corey Johnson of Louisville stepped onto the AGT stage during Tuesday's premiere episode and stunned the show's judges with his powerful version of Journey's "Open Arms."
Johnson, a former Bates Elementary student, received four "yes" votes from the celebrity judges including Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sophia Vergara. Now the pint-sized powerhouse has his sights set on the Live rounds later this summer.
On Wednesday, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear named D'Corey Johnson this week's Team Kentucky All-Star saying "Team Kentucky is so proud of you, D'Corey, and we can't wait to see how far you go. Be sure to support D'Corey on his 'AGT' journey."
Background: SEE IT: Viral video paved the way for D'Corey Johnson's 'America's Got Talent' performance
The Courier Journal caught up with Johnson just before the Governor's announcement and got the inside scoop on what it was like stepping onto the AGT stage, what advice he's getting from past contestants, and what the talented Kentucky 11-year-old has planned for the future.
Courier Journal: How did he land on Journey's "Open Arms" to perform at the audition?
"I really love 'Don't Stop Believing' by Journey but I didn't know 'Open Arms' or any of the words at all. That song was the AGT producer's suggestion. I only had five days to learn it," Johnson told the Courier Journal. "I was still on tour with 'Hits The Musical' so I didn't have a lot of time but I practiced every spare minute of the day and I was still working on it the day before (AGT audition) in a hotel room in Los Angeles."
Courier Journal: What were you feeling as you walked out onto the AGT stage?
The 11-year-old singer said he was feeling confident and not very nervous right up until the point that he looked at the celebrity judges.
"It's like my body went into shock because I have always dreamed of being on that stage and here I was," he said. "I was just filled with a feeling of being grateful and very proud of myself because I mean, who doesn't want to be on AGT!"
Courier Journal: After completing your audition, one of the judges asked you to sing part of "Open Arms" again but this time without a backup track. What was that about?
"The audience started cheering so loudly for D'Corey while he was first singing that the judges couldn't hear him very well," Nakia Johnson, D'Corey's mom, told the Courier Journal."Simon Cowell asked him to sing part of the song again but this time acapella so the judges could hear his voice better."
Background: Louisville's D'Corey Johnson performs "Open Arms" on 'America's Got Talent'
Courier Journal: Did singing acapella for Simon Cowell make you nervous?
"It actually came naturally because I like to sing acapella," Johnson said. "It was harder trying to sing the first time through with the audience screaming but I pushed through it like a pro."
Courier Journal: How do you describe what you were feeling as you left the stage having gotten so many positive compliments from the judges and a chance to compete in the next round of the competition?
"After I sang acapella, I was just so happy and overwhelmed with a feeling of gratefulness for this opportunity that the only thing that came over me were tears of joy," Johnson told the Courier Journal. "I couldn't hold back those tears."
Courier Journal: What type of advice have you gotten from Louisville Linkin' Bridge member and AGT Season 11 finalist China Lacy?
In 2016, Linkin' Bridge made it to the finals of AGT and Lacy is more than willing to share what he learned from the experience with Louisville's up-and-coming contestant.
"He told me to go out there on the stage and show the people what you are about," Johnson said. "He said I should always be myself and not try to be anybody else. He said I should not look at the comments on social media and most importantly live my dream."
Background: Meet D'Corey Johnson: 'Old soul' Louisville 10-year-old with a big voice and bright future
Courier Journal: Besides lots of singing rehearsals for the next round on AGT, what else will you be doing this summer?
"Well, I have a new song 'Beautiful Morning' that is on all the streaming platforms," said the 11-year-old. "In the song, I sing about going outside and playing with my family and I will be doing that this summer. But mostly I'll be working toward my goal of performing on a tour of my own like Beyoncé and Bruno Mars because I love them both. I am hungry, I want to be a legend."
How to watch NBC's Season 18 of "America's Got Talent"
Although the Johnson family is unsure which episode D'Corey will appear on next, it will be after the audition rounds conclude at the beginning of August. Audition rounds continue on NBC each Tuesday at 8 p.m. and will stream the following day on Peacock.
Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Behind-the-scenes on D'Corey Johnson 'America's Got Talent' audition
