July 9, 2025
Woman Who Signed up Grandma for โ€˜AGTโ€™ Asked to Sing in Her Place


Simon Cowell pulled off a memorable switcheroo on the July 8 episode of โ€œAmericaโ€™s Got Talentโ€ when he interrupted a contestantโ€™s audition to ask the womanโ€™s granddaughter to sing in her place.

Gina Bellina came out onstage to sing an original song with granddaughter Lilliana accompanying her on guitar, letting the showโ€™s judges know Lilliana secretly got her on the show.

โ€œMy granddaughter is the reason Iโ€™m here,โ€ she told the judges before she performed. โ€œBehind my back, she signed me up.โ€

โ€œI wasnโ€™t sure if she was going to be mad, but I just felt like if I told her beforehand, she might get psyched out and not do it. So, luckily she was excited,โ€ her granddaughter said.

Bellina then began singing an original song, with a band behind her, including her granddaughter strumming a guitar. Cowell, though, stopped her in the middle of the performance to ask if Lilliana sings. When Lilliana said she does, Cowell asked her to sing the song โ€” or another one of her choice โ€” in place of her grandmother.

Gina Bellina & Liliana
Gina Bellina watched granddaughter Lilliana on “America’s Got Talent.”Trae Patton / NBC

โ€œThatโ€™s a lot of pressure,โ€ she said, as she made her way to the microphone.

With her grandmother standing a few feet to her right, Lilliana then performed the song and blew away the judges with her soulful voice, while earning a standing ovation from the audience when she finished. Her grandmother appeared to be visibly moved by the response, too.

โ€œHonestly, Lilliana, youโ€™ve got Gina here, but weirdly, Gina got you here,โ€ Cowell said. โ€œSo, because youโ€™ve got the better voice โ€” and youโ€™re actually very cool and I like you and I think people are going to root for you. So, as long as Gina, youโ€™re prepared to let Lilliana sing, this could work.โ€

โ€œItโ€™s OK, darling,โ€ Bellina said to Lilliana. โ€œItโ€™s for you.โ€

Gina Bellina & Liliana
Gina Bellina was originally accompanied by granddaughter Lilliana on “America’s Got Talent.”Trae Patton / NBC

โ€œYour granddaughter has a beautiful voice. Gorgeous voice,โ€ Mandel said.

Mel B was not as moved, though, and was the lone judge who didnโ€™t vote her through to the next round.

โ€œI think, singing-wise, I thought you sounded good, but I have to be honest, you didnโ€™t quite get there for me,โ€ she said.

Sofia Vergara, however, was impressed.

โ€œI like that Simon told you to sing because we would have never known that you had this beautiful, beautiful voice. I think people are going to love you because youโ€™re so good,โ€ she said.

After advancing to the next round, Lilliana and her grandma shared a brief hug onstage before walking off together.

โ€œI told you,โ€ Bellina said to her

โ€œIโ€™m still shaking,โ€ Lilliana replied.

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