‘AGT’s Mackenzie Sol Teases Quarterfinals Performance

Alyssa NorwinTue, August 25, 2026 at 2:42 PM UTC

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Mackenzie Sol - Trae Patton/NBC

Mackenzie Sol returns to the stage for the America’s Got TalentQuarterfinals during the Tuesday, August 25, episode. After getting one of Mel B.‘s Golden Buzzers following his audition, the singer admits there’s added pressure to perform well and is ready to bring something completely different to the Live Shows.

“We’re doing something that hasn’t been seen really on AGT,” Mackenzie tells TV Insider. “And it’s very different. It’s very raw. It’s very me. It’s just raw and emotional, and it’s a female song that I’m doing a rendition of. So, there’s a lot of pressure going into it, but I want to take the risks to see what the outcome is.”

At the end of the day, Mackenzie wants to connect with the audience and viewers at home, who will be voting for their favorites to move forward in the competition. Of the 11 acts who perform on night two of the Quarterfinals, one will get the live Golden Buzzer and three will be voted through by America.

“I want people to really hear the lyrics,” Mackenzie teases. “Obviously, I go through what every other human goes through, and it’s something I think a lot of people can relate to. And I think I want people to feel more connected to me. That’s what I want. I want people to feel that connection that I feel with this song. And I want to bring that emotion and feel and connection to my performance as well.”

Scroll down for more from our interview with Mackenzie, including how his time on American IdolSeason 22 helped prepare him for AGT and more.

Tell me a little bit about how you came to audition for AGT and what that process was like for you.

Mackenzie Sol: I originally was hoping to get on this season because I don’t know how many more seasons Simon Cowell was going to be on. And I was like, “You know what? I was 4 years old [when I went on The X Factor UK]. I want to reunite with Simon before it’s too late.” And AGT loved the idea, and it was just like, “OK, let us hear you sing.” And that’s kind of how it started.

How did you decide to sing Sombr’s “Back to Friends” for your audition?

I’m probably the worst decision maker in the world. So me and the music team at AGT, we worked together and we crafted ideas and stuff, and this is the one we both landed on. And I was unsure because I don’t really sing pop music. It’s not who I am. I like to sing soul and Motown, but they were like, “Just trust us.” And I kept practicing and I did it. And I mean, look at what happened. So it was the right idea. It got the Golden Buzzer.

What did it mean to you to get that Golden Buzzer, particularly from Mel B.? Were you expecting that at all?

I wasn’t expecting it. I wasn’t expecting it in the slightest, so it was just such a cool moment and just a blanked out, “I can’t believe this just happened,” moment.

Were you able to talk to her at all afterwards? Has she said anything to you specifically since then?

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After I got the Golden Buzzer, we threw the confetti on stage, came backstage, she was there for five to 10 minutes. I told her about my hometown, what I’ve been doing with music. And she’s like, “I think you’re at the right place, the right time.” And then she signed my T-shirt and so did Terry Crews, and she messed up. I need to find the T-shirt because it’s in my house somewhere. She messed it up three times and she scribbled it out.

Do you feel added pressure going into the Quarterfinals knowing that you were only one of 10 Golden Buzzers and having to live up to that?

Yeah, I mean, getting the Golden Buzzer definitely added pressure, but I want to prove to people that Mel made the right decision and that I can bring more. That’s what I want to get out there and prove and show.

What have you been doing to prepare and what has the rehearsal schedule been like?

Rehearsal’s been great. It’s a lot more than the first round, so it’s great to actually have time to really work and really get on the stage, really get used to the environment. I feel like the first audition, I was so nervous. Obviously was not expecting so many people in the crowd. I was like, “Oh, wow. OK, this is great.” But I got the nerves. I was definitely nervous in my first audition. I think with this time, I’ve spent more time in the theater, I’ve spent more time with the people. It feels more like a home, so, hopefully, I can bring that on the stage and just chill and just do what I need to do.

You were previously on American Idol. What did you take from that experience into this one? How did that help prepare you? Did it give you a leg up at all?

I think with Idol, I didn’t have much experience going into it. I just loved to sing. I went to karaokes. I went to do this, that, the other. After I got Top 20, all that happened, I did book a few gigs locally and I started to perform more. Whether it’s a massive venue or a tiny lounge with 10 people watching, it doesn’t matter. I get the experience of performing. And I think that’s hopefully going to benefit me when it comes to being on stage … it’s having a lot more experience than I did when I did that show.

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Regardless of how this turns out for you, this is another experience that’s going to give you a bigger platform. Have you been working on original music that you’ll be ready to share when this is over?

Yeah. I’ve been in the studio quite a lot and I’m going to keep going in the studio no matter what happens with this show. I want to release, I want to write, I want to produce. That’s the dream. So, I just want to keep writing and keep making music and hopefully one of them takes off. I mean, I think Drake released 60 songs before his hit song came out, and I haven’t even done 10 yet. You know what I’m saying? And that’s what I want to do. Obviously I want to win. Everyone wants to win the show. There’s a guy called Charlie Rocket. I don’t know if you’ve ever seen him. He’s one of the most inspiring people on social media. One of his quotes is, “A winner is only a loser who tried again.” And I think I can really relate to that with what I’ve done. That’s something that’s really hit me. So, I’m going for the win. I really am. I’m going to do everything I can to get up there and do my best.

America’s Got Talent, Season 21, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8/7c, NBC

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”