America's Got Talent featured the third Golden-Buzzer recipient, Tyler Butler-Figueroa, during Tuesday night's Season 14 episode on NBC.

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When Tyler, 11, from North Carolina got onstage in front of America's Got Talent judges Gabrielle Union, Julianne Hough, Simon Cowell, and Howie Mandel, he revealed he began playing the violin about four years prior.

"I wanted to start playing the violin because I was being bullied in school," Tyler shared with the judging panel. "It's because I had cancer. I almost died."

Diagnosed with leukemia at age 4, Tyler's schoolmates apparently teased him for losing his hair and looking different. They spread rumors his disease was contagious, and so they would also stay away from him.

Tyler began taking free violin lessons to keep his mind off things, and his mother said music was like "sunshine" in her son's life.

"When I'm playing violin, I forget about the bad stuff. I didn't want to be the kid with cancer. Now I can be the kid that plays the violin," Tyler said in a video package that aired prior to his performance.

Tyler then performed a rendition of Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)" on the violin that brought the audience to their feet.

Simon had a shocked look on his face when it was over and done with, and all of the judges gave the young contestant a standing ovation.

Julianne commended Tyler for going through such a difficult situation but turning things around and finding something that brings him a lot of joy.

Simon then asked Tyler how he was feeling about himself, and Tyler -- who has been in remission from his cancer battle for almost four years -- responded, "I'm feeling really proud of myself."

Simon then praised Tyler for being "an extraordinary young man."

"We hear too many stories about people being bullied. But I can tell you one thing: Most people are bullied because they are better than the people who bully them," Simon declared.

"I think you have such an amazing talent, and such a personality. I would like to say something on your behalf to the bullies."

Simon then pressed the Golden Buzzer, and confetti fell over Tyler's head as he placed his face into his hands and cried.

Simon eventually joined Tyler on the stage as he was being hugged by his very emotional mother.

"You're an amazing talent," Simon told Tyler onstage. "Are you up for this?! You are a winner, right?"

Tyler will now automatically advance to America's Got Talent's Season 14 live shows in Hollywood. His mother called the opportunity "a dream come true" for her child.

Last week, Joseph Allen earned Howie's Golden Buzzer for his singing performance, which was his opportunity to leave his mark on the world.

And back in May, Kodi Lee, a blind pianist and singer with autism, received the first Golden Buzzer of the season when his performance of Donny Hathaway's "A Song For You" brought Gabrielle to tears.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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