When 12-year-old Luke Islam stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage in 2019, he already knew exactly what he wanted: to become a Broadway star. The young singer from New York told the judges about his love for musical theater—and revealed that judge Julianne Hough was one of his biggest inspirations.
Then it was time to show everyone what he could do.
Luke chose “She Used to Be Mine” from the Broadway musical Waitress, a demanding song requiring both vocal power and genuine emotion. Despite his young age, Luke delivered a confident and heartfelt performance that quickly had the audience cheering.
As the song built, his powerful vocals caught the judges completely by surprise. By the final note, the theater was on its feet, and Luke was visibly overwhelmed by the reaction.
But Julianne Hough had an even bigger surprise waiting for him. Deeply impressed by his talent and his Broadway ambitions, she reached across the judges’ table and pressed the Golden Buzzer, covering the stage in golden confetti and sending Luke directly to the live shows.
For a 12-year-old who dreamed of performing on Broadway, it was an unforgettable moment—and the beginning of an exciting journey on America’s Got Talent.
