Lewiston’s ‘Singing Soldier’ shines in spotlight on national TV: ‘That voice is everything’
Lewiston’s Isaac Atkins Advances to Next Round of “America’s Got Talent”
Lewiston, Maine – A 23‑year‑old U.S. Army sergeant from Lewiston, Isaac Atkins, moved his audition forward in the live episode of “America’s Got Talent” that aired Tuesday night. The Lewiston native, nicknamed the “Singing Soldier,” performed the song “Way Down We Go” by Icelandic blues‑rock band Kaleo, and received a mix of praise and constructive feedback from the judges.
Atkins, who is stationed in Hawaii on active duty, said the performance felt “surreal.” “My raw vocals and just the power and the grit and the volume of the song, it all felt very powerful and I felt it in me,” he told the Sun Journal. He added that the moment he “grabbed the camera on the stage and sang into it” was something he had rehearsed, but the experience still felt extraordinary.
The act began the show with a clear focus: “I just tell myself to not mess up and pushed through it.” Speaking on his nerves, Atkins said, “I feel very overwhelmed, I still feel nervous and jittery… I feel like I could have done some stuff better but that’s what life’s about: just pushing and perfecting your craft.” His performance was the second time he has appeared on the AGT stage and the first time he has sung on a live broadcast.
The judges’ reactions were a mixture of enthusiasm and guidance. Former Spice Girl Mel B, who had given Atkins a Golden Buzzer in the audition rounds, called his effort “amazing” and remarked, “That voice, that voice is everything.” Actress and model Sofia Vergara praised his composure, noting that his energy and confidence were “incredible.” Kenan Thompson and Howie Mandel offered more pointed feedback. Mandel said, “I know we haven’t even tapped into the potential you have,” while Thompson encouraged the singer to explore greater range.
Thompson, a stand‑up comedian and actor, is stepping in for Simon Cowell, who will miss live episodes due to a medical procedure. The show’s host, Terry Crews, was seen greeting Atkins on the set, but he was not in the judges’ panel.
If the audience votes Atkins forward, he would join the remaining two acts who received the highest number of votes. Voting opens at 10 a.m. on Tuesday and closes at 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Viewers can cast their ballots on the AGT voting site. The results will be announced on the Wednesday night episode at 8 p.m., when the three finalists will advance to the semifinals.
“Atkins said moving onto the next round would mean the world to him,” the Sun Journal reported. “It would show me that people see I have a passion for this and see me continue to move forward and continue to thrive.”
Atkins expressed a desire to improve based on the judges’ critiques. “Mel and Sofia, they loved it, they were all in. Howie and Kenan offered some constructive criticism and I found some truth in it. That’s something that if I get voted through I would work on and be better for the next performance.” He added, “If I get voted into the next round I’m going to be better and knock the socks off these people.”
The performance took place in front of a live studio audience, with the show’s cameras capturing every moment. As the singers took the stage, Atkins’s military background added a unique layer to his storytelling, a fact that resonated with viewers and judges alike.
As the voting window closes, fans of the Singing Soldier have the opportunity to help decide whether his talent will carry him further into the competition. The next steps for the Lewiston native hinge on the public’s vote, and the results will be revealed later this week.
