Woman Who Signed up Grandma for ‘AGT’ Asked to Sing in Her Place

“I wasn’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,” 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 — or another one of her choice — in place of her grandmother.

“That’s a lot of pressure,” 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.

“Honestly, Lilliana, you’ve got Gina here, but weirdly, Gina got you here,” Cowell said. “So, because you’ve got the better voice — and you’re actually very cool and I like you and I think people are going to root for you. So, as long as Gina, you’re prepared to let Lilliana sing, this could work.”

“It’s OK, darling,” Bellina said to Lilliana. “It’s for you.”

“Your granddaughter has a beautiful voice. Gorgeous voice,” Mandel said.

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

“I think, singing-wise, I thought you sounded good, but I have to be honest, you didn’t quite get there for me,” she said.

Sofia Vergara, however, was impressed.

“I 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 you’re so good,” she said.

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

“I told you,” Bellina said to her

“I’m still shaking,” Lilliana replied.