Her powerful performance impressed even the discerning Simon Cowell, who, in a rare moment of lightheartedness, suggested pairing her with his son Eric,
who is close to Sophie’s age. This playful quip brought smiles all around, showing a softer, more personal side of Simon.
Still, the notoriously sharp-tongued judge softened the blow, clarifying that while the song itself struck a wrong chord, he did enjoy the young artist’s tone and presence. He then asked the singer if he “had another song?”
Without missing a beat, Varnes pivoted to Ed Sheeran’s “Life Goes On” and soon became a crowd favorite. But a standing ovation couldn’t resolve the suspense that came when the musician faced the panel of judges.
“You know, you remind me of a young Justin Bieber,” fellow judge Howie Mandel told the artist, who lit up with a smile on his face.
