
America’s Got Talent crooner Sal Valentinetti gave a One Direction song a musical makeover on Tuesday night’s (Aug. 2) performance show with a dash of Frank Sinatra swagger.
The former American Idol Season 14 alum looked suave and dapper in a white tuxedo as he took the group’s “Story of My Life” back to another time period. Backed by a jazz band, standup bass, guitar and piano, the Long Island singer took a risk with a Postmodern Jukebox-like jazzy arrangement, but earned a standing ovation from the judges at the Dolby Theater.
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Judge Heidi Klum, who automatically put Valentinetti through to the live rounds by hitting the Golden Buzzer, praised her “golden boy,” and complimented how “handsome” he looked.
“Your voice was silky and smooth,” she said.
Cowell was especially complimentary of the performance after Valentinetti nodded to the judge saying, “Simon, you can pay me for this later.”
“You’re a showman, you’re like a singing pizza,” he said. “You played to the crowd and you rose. Congratulations. And that’s a great song.”
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The only criticism came from Howie Mandel, who suggested Valentinetti should stick to standards. Cowell immediately disagreed, hitting his buzzer as Mandel spoke.
Cowell has been impressed with the 20-year old singer since he auditioned for the show with Sinatra’s “My Way.”
“I love everything about that guy,” he told reporters last week.
Watch below: