Stephanie wows on America’s Got Talent
Simon Cowell was the first to his feet to applaud Cork’s Stephanie Rainey after her emotional performance on America’s Got Talent on Tuesday night.
The Leeside star left the audience in floods of tears with a beautiful rendition of the song that kick-started her career back in 2015, ‘Please Don’t Go’.
The song is about Stephanie’s nephew, Fionn, who lost his life to meningitis the day before his first birthday.
“It took me a long time to write a song about it. Honestly, I was about to give up music, so I wanted to make something for me that I believe in, so this song means more to me than I can even describe,” she told the judges.
Her performance received a resounding four yesses from judges Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Simon Cowell, who said he would give her “4,000 yesses”.
Howie Mandel said: “Very few acts move people, and that was one of the most relatable, emotional moments we’ve had on season 19, so thank you so much.”
Simon Cowell said: “Of all the new songs I’ve heard this year, this is the best by a mile – and 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 and you. I absolutely love this.”
Cowell then joined Stephanie on stage to thank her again for her beautiful performance.
She will now go through to the next round of the competition.
Almost 10 years since its first release, ‘Please Don’t Go’ has found new audiences with over 8 million Spotify plays and a staggering 40 million combined views on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram since September 2023.
The song’s resurgence has catapulted her to the top of the Singer-Songwriter Chart in Canada, claiming the number 1 spot, and reaching number 2 in the United States. Her music also charted on the main iTunes Charts in Ireland, Australia, and the UK. The song’s accompanying music video features a poignant tapestry of personal tributes.
Often compared to the likes of Adele, Dermot Kennedy, and Ed Sheeran, Stephanie has become one of Ireland’s most played female artists on radio, enjoying much success in 2021 and 2022 with hit singles like ‘Ross & Rachel’, ‘No Cowboy’, ‘13’, and ‘Remember Who Your Friends Are’.
Stephanie has also just announced two headline shows in Vicar Street, Dublin, on 14 November, and Cork City Hall on 18 December.