During a recent stop on her concert tour, Darci Lynne delivered a performance that was equal parts hilarious and deeply touching — a heartfelt tribute to her longtime mentor, Simon Cowell.
Under a dazzling array of stage lights and the roar of thousands of fans, Darci took a quiet moment to introduce something “extra special.” She smiled and said, “Tonight, I want to thank someone who believed in me when I was just a 12-year-old girl standing on the America’s Got Talent stage — Simon Cowell.” Then she turned to a wooden box, opened it, and pulled out a custom puppet: a pint-sized version of Simon himself, complete with salt-and-pepper hair, signature sunglasses, and that iconic serious expression.
What followed was a uniquely Darci moment — a flawless ventriloquist dialogue between her and “Mini Simon,” filled with witty banter, backstage memories, and humorous reflections on their AGT journey. Then came the emotional gut-punch: the two launched into a duet of “You Raise Me Up,” with Darci singing both parts — hers and Simon’s — through her puppet, blending comedy with raw gratitude in a way only she could.
“Simon wasn’t just a tough judge,” Darci told the crowd through misty eyes. “He was the first person who made me believe I could do something big. So tonight, I’m not just performing for my fans — I’m singing for the teacher who changed my life forever.”
The moment exploded across social media, racking up millions of views within hours and sparking an outpouring of emotional comments from fans worldwide. Many hailed it as “one of the most beautiful thank-you tributes ever seen on stage by a young star.”
