When Matt Mauser, a 51-year-old father and former schoolteacher, stepped onto the AGT stage, the audience expected to hear a heartfelt story—but no one was prepared for just how powerful that story would be.
Matt shared that he lost his wife, Christina, in the same tragic helicopter crash that claimed the life of Kobe Bryant in January 2020. Christina had been coaching girls’ basketball with Kobe at the time. What followed was one of the most emotionally raw and heartfelt performances in the show’s history.
“When I was out there tonight, I was singing to her… I wanted to make her proud,” Matt said, fighting back tears.
A Performance That Moved Millions
Matt performed Phil Collins’ “Against All Odds”, a hauntingly fitting ballad that echoed his grief, love, and strength. With every note, his pain and resilience rang through—touching not just the judges, but millions watching.
The auditorium fell completely silent, then erupted in applause, as Matt sang:
“Take a look at me now… There’s just an empty space.”
By the end, all four judges were visibly emotional, giving him a resounding “yes” to move forward in the competition.