America’s Got Talent 2025 is already filled with jaw-dropping auditions, but one early release has taken center stage: Cole Swensen’s emotional performance of “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. With nothing but a microphone and raw sincerity, Cole delivered a hauntingly beautiful rendition that had everyone—from the audience to the judges—completely still. Then, just as the final chorus rang out, his voice cracked, his eyes welled up, and he began to cry. Not from nerves, but from something deeper: release, relief, maybe even healing.
Cole, a small-town singer with no stage history, spoke before his performance about music being his way through anxiety and self-doubt. That connection bled into every note he sang. He didn’t perform the song—he lived it. And when the final note faded, silence gave way to a roaring standing ovation.
Simon Cowell called it “raw and beautiful.” Howie Mandel said Cole reminded them why AGT exists. Sofía Vergara and Heidi Klum were visibly emotional. Although he didn’t get the Golden Buzzer, all four judges gave him a heartfelt yes, and social media lit up instantly with support.
Cole’s tears weren’t a gimmick. They were real. They were the sound of a young man finally being heard. And in that vulnerable moment, he didn’t just earn a spot in the next round—he earned a place in the hearts of millions.
So what’s next for Cole Swensen? No one knows for sure. But if this audition is anything to go by, his journey is only getting started—and it’s one you won’t want to miss.
Missed the performance? Go watch it—but don’t forget the tissues.
