Simon Cowell has revealed that America's Got Talent will pay tribute to former contestant Jane 'Nightbirde' Marczewski who passed away aged just 31 in February following a battle with cancer.
The singer-songwriter auditioned for Cowell's NBC show in 2021 and received a Golden Buzzer for her original song "It's OK".
She later pulled out of the contest ahead of the live shows quarter final stage as the disease had got progressively worse, spreading to her lungs, spine and liver.
The Ohio-born musician was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, before being given the all-clear a year later. It recurred in 2019, however, with 'Nightbirde' given three to six months to live. A second all-clear followed though before a third bout was diagnosed just before filming of the show began.
Describing her death as "unfair", 62-year-old Cowell said that Marczewski, who possessed a stunning voice, would be given a special mention in the live shows.
The head judge and show boss added that he was still working out how the tribute will work, however, when the 17th series of the talent show airs this Summer.
Cowell admitted: "I think we should do something special on the live shows. Because there is no question when we got the news, even though, you know, it, the last time I saw her, she was very frail at the same time she was very optimistic, talking to me about her music.
"She came over to the house and I was like, you just don't know. You just don't know. And when I heard the news, it was so unfair, she is actually such a nice person, so talented. And she said to me, you know should I do the show or not? And then she, you know, I'm gonna do it. And she said, the great thing was, is that millions of people got to hear my music.
"And that was really a big thing for her. And then it was all taken away from her. Life's unfair like that."
After learning about the news of her passing earlier this year, Cowell tweeted: "Heart breaking news to hear about @_nightbirde, she was an extraordinary person, so brave, so talented.
"She made a huge impact on AGT and the world. Her determination to fight this terrible illness was remarkable. Rest in peace, Jane. I am sending my love to her family. Simon."
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