A teenager from Vancouver Island turned a dream into national spotlight this week on America’s Got Talent.
Chase Varnes, a 13-year-old from the Saanich Peninsula, appeared on the show Tuesday night with a guitar in hand and a story in his heart.
A self-taught musician who cut his teeth busking on the streets of Sidney, Chase began his audition with an original song dedicated to his grandfather, who passed away from a brain tumour just a week before Chase was born.
But halfway through the performance, judge Simon Cowell abruptly cut him off.
“I didn’t love the song,” Cowell said, as the theatre fell silent. “But I like your voice.”
For a moment, it looked like the dream might end there. Then Cowell asked the Saanichton teen if he had anything else to sing.
Without flinching, Chase switched gears and delivered a heartfelt version of “Life Goes On” by Ed Sheeran and Luke Combs. His voice shook slightly at first — but then something clicked.
The audience stood, clapping in time. The judges started smiling. Chase’s confidence surged.
“You remind me of a young Justin Bieber,” Howie Mandel told him.
“You’re adorable,” added Sofía Vergara. “The girls are going to go crazy with you.”
Even Cowell, who had been the toughest critic moments earlier, gave his nod of approval.
“You’ve got something,” he said. “And the audience loved you. That’s why you’re going to get three yeses.”
Mel B was the lone holdout, calling Chase “a diamond in the rough” and saying she wasn’t quite ready to vote yes. The crowd booed.
But Mandel, Vergara, and Cowell were enough to send the 13-year-old to the next round.
Chase, a Grade 8 student at Pacific Christian School, has long been known to locals as the talented kid playing music at the Sidney Street Market, now he’s captured the hearts of millions across North America.
America’s Got Talent airs weekly to more than 4.5 million viewers, with live performance rounds set to begin later this summer and the season finale scheduled for August 20th.
Chase’s next appearance hasn’t been announced yet, but one thing is clear, this young Islander has already made an impression that won’t soon be forgotten.
And just announced Friday morning, Chase posted on Instagram that he would be performing at this year’s Sunfest in Lake Cowichan.
View this post on Instagram
