Fourteen-year-old singer-songwriter Benicio Bryant delivered another amazing performance in the first week of the AGT semifinals. The young talent has been a favorite among the judges since his first audition.
As we wait to see how far Benicio will go in the competition, let’s take a look at five facts that tell you how far he’s come. He’s had quite the journey for someone so young.
Benicio Bryant Got His Start On YouTube
Benicio has been posting covers to his YouTube channel since 2014. Above, you can see him performing Katy Perry’s “Roar” on the guitar. Other covers include Sia’s “Bird Set Free” and “Chandelier.” It’s interesting to see how far Benicio has come as a musician in just a few short years.
He Appeared On ‘The Voice Kids’ In Germany
Benicio’s YouTube videos were discovered by the producers of The Voice Kids in Germany. They invited him to audition for the show last year. He turned all four coaches’ chairs with his cover of “Bird Set Free,” and he finished the competition in second place.
Benicio Performed “The Joke” With Brandi Carlile
Benicio auditioned for AGT with this song, which he previously got to sing with the artist herself as part of a high school fundraiser last year. He later joined her to perform the song on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
“Benicio understands this song on a level I can only imagine,” Brandi said of the young singer. “When he sings it, it comes to life in a new way for me. He won’t be 13 forever and he knows how it ends.”
Benicio Debut Single Is Called “My Love”
You can listen to “My Love” on Spotify. Benicio released it last year, and he said in a live performance of the song that it’s “about my love for music.” Benicio has shown off his songwriting skills throughout the competition this season on AGT. Titles include “Here Goes Nothing,” “Who I Am,” and “Fall Apart.”
Simon Cowell Compared Him To Harry Styles
Benicio may not have received a Golden Buzzer, but he got a pretty big compliment from judge Simon Cowell, who compared him to One Direction star Harry Styles. “He had this presence about him,” Simon said, recalling Harry’s audition for The X Factor.
This week, Howie Mandel threw another comparison out there — Troye Sivan. These comparisons could be a good sign for Benicio, considering Season 11 winner Grace VanderWaal was compared to Taylor Swift during her time on the show.
