Lewiston’s ‘Singing Soldier’ shines in spotlight, continues to impress Mel B
Lewiston’s Isaac Atkins Performs Live on “America’s Got Talent,” Eyes Next Round
Lewiston, Maine — U.S. Army Sergeant Isaac Atkins, 23, delivered a powerful vocal performance on the “America’s Got Talent” stage Tuesday night, hoping to secure a spot in the show’s next phase. The Lewiston native, known on the program as the “Singing Soldier,” sang the Icelandic blues‑rock track “Way Down We Go” by Kaleo, a choice that came after discussion with the AGT music team.
The performance followed Atkins’s earlier receipt of a Golden Buzzer from judge Mel B, which granted him direct entry into the live rounds. Mel B described the act as “amazing,” noting that his “voice … is everything.” Fellow judges Sofia Vergara praised his composure, calling his energy and confidence “incredible.”
Despite the enthusiasm, two judges offered constructive feedback. Howie Mandel told Atkins that “we haven’t even tapped into the potential you have,” while Kenan Thompson—who was filling in for Simon Cowell, who is undergoing a medical procedure—echoed the sentiment, encouraging the soldier to expand his vocal range. Atkins said he took the comments to heart, noting he “found some truth in it” and would use the feedback to improve for the next performance.
“It’s all about pushing through nerves,” Atkins said in a phone interview with the Sun Journal. “If you don’t push past that, you’re bound to mess up. I just told myself not to mess up and pushed through it.” He admitted feeling “overwhelmed, nervous and jittery” before stepping onto the stage, but recalled a moment of confidence when he grabbed the camera and sang directly into it, describing the experience as surreal.
The live show was broadcast on NBC, with voting open to the public through a link that expires at 7 a.m. Wednesday. The three acts with the highest vote totals will be announced on the following episode’s 8 p.m. broadcast and will advance to the semifinals.
Atkins, who is currently on active duty in Hawaii, said he had no personal connection between the song and his station. Instead, the track was selected by the production team. “I felt the raw vocals, the power, the grit, the volume… it all felt very powerful and I felt it in me,” he explained.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform on a national stage: “Moving onto the next round would mean the world to me. It would show that people see my passion and that I can keep moving forward.” The Sergeant added that if he advanced, he would aim to “knock the socks off these people.”
Fans can cast their votes for Atkins via the official AGT voting portal, with the next round’s results to be revealed on Wednesday’s episode. The Lewiston community has rallied behind the soldier, many sharing clips of his performance on social media and encouraging viewers to support him.
For more details and to vote, visit the AGT voting page. The results for the next round will be announced Wednesday evening.
