Gabriella Laberge Stuns AGT After Simon Nearly Hits His Red Buzzer

The stage is quiet, the lights are soft, and one young woman walks out with a violin and a dream she has carried for years. In a few minutes, that dream almost slips away, then turns into one of the most moving moments of the night.

Gabriella Laberge introduces herself with a calm smile and a gentle voice. She shares that she is French Canadian, from Montreal, and that her name is Gabriella. The moment feels small and simple, but for her, it is the biggest stage of her life.

From the first words, it is clear that this is not a casual try. She explains that she has dreamed about this chance for as long as she can remember. She talks about the American dream, and how this show feels like a door that might finally open.

Simon Cowell guesses that she will play the violin. She confirms it, standing there with the instrument that has clearly been part of her life for a long time. The judges wish her luck. The room is ready, but no one yet knows what is about to happen.

For Gabriella, this is not just a performance. It is years of practice, hope, and quiet belief, all pressed into a few short minutes in front of millions.

When the music starts, things do not seem perfect. There is tension in the room that the viewers at home can almost feel. Simon reaches toward his red buzzer, the one every act fears. It looks like her dream might end before it has even begun.

Gabriella begins to sing “Goodbye My Lover” by James Blunt, while also holding the violin. At first, the focus is on her voice, clear and emotional. Her tone is gentle but strong. She does not rush, and she does not hide.

The violin adds another layer, a soft echo behind the words. She moves between playing and singing in a way that shows both control and heart. The judges lean in. The crowd grows quiet, then starts to respond, almost as if the entire room is changing its mind at once.

What began as a possible rejection turns into a moment that no one wants to end.

As she moves through the song, her control becomes more clear. She shifts from soft phrases to stronger ones, matching the music with her own inner build. Even without deep stage effects, the space feels full.

The camera catches the judges listening closely. The crowd reacts to every rise and pause. For a performance that began as a near miss, it turns into one of those auditions that people remember just for its feeling.

Early on, Simon looks unconvinced. His body language, and that almost-pressed buzzer, show that he does not see the magic at first. Many fans of the show know that he has heard thousands of singers, so it takes something special to move him.

As Gabriella keeps going, the shift in the room is clear. Sofía Vergara and Heidi Klum listen with warm expressions. Howie Mandel watches in that quiet way that signals he is paying full attention. Then, near the end of the performance, one judge can be heard saying, “Wow, I love this.”

The applause comes in strong when she finishes. The crowd rises, claps, and calls out, giving her the kind of response every performer dreams of. Gabriella looks overwhelmed, almost holy in her shock, repeating words through happy tears that sound like “I am so” over and over, as if she cannot find all the right words in that flood of emotion.

That is the mark of a true turning point. A moment that began with an almost-red buzzer ends with a wave of love.

Who Is Gabriella Laberge Outside This One Performance?

Gabriella is presented as a French Canadian artist from Montreal. She speaks English with a soft accent that adds to her charm. There is a quiet warmth to her personality, a mix of shyness and courage.

She clearly plays the violin with skill. The way she holds the instrument and moves with it suggests years of work. At the same time, she is a singer with a strong sense of feeling. Blending voice and violin on such a big stage is not easy, but she makes it seem natural.

Gabriella talks about the American dream in a way that feels honest. She is not trying to sound grand. She simply wants a chance to share what she loves, and to see if that love can reach people far beyond her home city.

Many viewers see in her a picture of anyone who has ever had a big dream and only a small window to show it.

Why This AGT Moment Stands Out For Fans

America’s Got Talent has featured many singers with big voices. What makes Gabriella’s moment stand out is not just vocal power. It is the blend of elements that come together at once.

First, there is the near failure. The idea that Simon almost hit the red buzzer adds tension. Fans like to see risk. When a performance pulls out of that danger and wins the room, the story sticks in the mind.

Second, there is the mix of violin and voice. Many acts bring one skill to the stage. Gabriella brings two and connects them. The violin is not there as a trick. It is part of her sound and her story.

Third, there is her clear emotion. She does not hide how much this means to her. When the judges react well and the crowd cheers, her face tells a full story by itself. That reaction helps viewers at home feel like they are sharing the win with her.

These pieces together create a strong, shareable moment that fits perfectly into the memory of AGT season 16.

The Power Of A Dream On A Global Stage

Shows like America’s Got Talent reach far beyond the theater. Fans watch from their living rooms, phones, and laptops all around the world. When someone like Gabriella steps onto that stage, they are not just singing for four judges in one room. They are singing for people who might see themselves in that courage.

Gabriella speaks of AGT as a dream she has held from childhood. That explains the weight in her voice when she starts. Many viewers have their own versions of that same wish, even if it has nothing to do with music.

Her story is a simple proof that a person from a different country, from a city far from Hollywood, can still reach this level. She stands there as a French Canadian artist in front of an American crowd, yet the music builds a bridge that makes borders feel small.

That feeling is part of what keeps fans returning to the show every year.