Nineteen-year-old Luca Di Stefano, hailing from Sicily, Italy, walked onto the America’s Got Talent (AGT) stage visibly nervous. His strong Italian accent and slightly hesitant demeanor led the judges to initially tease him about his nervousness, especially when he was trying to introduce his act. The entire atmosphere was light-hearted, with the judges joking about his heavy accent and his excitement level. However, this seemingly quiet and nervous young man was about to deliver a performance that completely defied his timid introduction, setting up a massive surprise for the entire room.
Luca chose to sing the classic soul hit “Let’s Get It On” by Marvin Gaye. The moment he opened his mouth, his stage persona underwent a drastic and stunning transformation. The shy teenager disappeared, replaced by a smooth, powerful, and incredibly soulful vocalist.
His voice possessed a deep, mature, and resonant quality that was perfect for the R&B classic, a style that no one, especially the judges, expected from him. He commanded the stage with a confidence that felt completely natural to his singing.
The judges were in absolute shock by the dramatic contrast between his speaking voice and his singing voice. Sofía Vergara exclaimed that she “would not have thought that was your voice in a million years,” praising how much fun it was to watch. Howie Mandel, known for loving surprises, echoed her sentiment, stating that he “wasn’t expecting that out of you” and could “hear you sing that all night long.” Luca’s genuine shock and pride at the praise were evident, showing he was just as amazed by his own success as the audience. He earned the unanimous support of the panel, securing his spot to continue his dream.
