In an episode filled with stunning acts, it was police officer Mervin Mayo from Richmond, VA., who truly stole the spotlight on America’s Got Talent.
His heartfelt rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” left the judges and audience alike in awe, earning him four enthusiastic yeses and a standing ovation.
Mayo, who has dedicated his life to helping at-risk youth, shared a deeply personal story before his performance. He recounted his challenging upbringing in the housing projects of Richmond and how a police officer named Curtis Simmons saved him from a life of crime.
“I’ve seen more murders as a child than I have as a police officer,” Mayo revealed. The experience inspired him to become a police officer and mentor to at-risk youth, working tirelessly for 17 years to provide the same guidance he once received.
With the encouragement of his wife Michelle, the director of school counseling for Richmond Public Schools, Mayo decided to take a leap of faith and audition for America’s Got Talent. His performance of “Thinking Out Loud” was more than just a song—it was a tribute to his wife and the journey they’ve shared.
As Mayo sang, he frequently glanced toward the wings where Michelle was watching proudly, adding a layer of genuine emotion to his performance.
His smooth, soulful voice captured the essence of Sheeran’s romantic ballad, and his heartfelt delivery resonated with everyone in the room.
The judges were visibly moved by Mayo’s story and performance. “You really do have a good voice and everything you did was sincere,” praised Simon Cowell. Sofia Vergara echoed these sentiments, saying, “You guys are a beautiful couple and your voice is spectacular. Super romantic, how beautiful that you love her and you’re singing to her.”
Howie Mandel commended the couple’s dedication to their community, saying, “You are the people that allow us to be safe and people who are in our school system. You are both serving the community and that’s a wonderful thing.”
Heidi Klum summed up the judges’ feelings, “You sounded great up there. You felt right at home. I felt the love. It was beautiful.”
Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” achieved major success on the Billboard charts. Released in 2014 as part of his album x (Multiply), the song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained in the top 10 for 23 weeks.
It also became the first song to spend a full year in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 40. As well as this, “Thinking Out Loud” topped the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart and earned Sheeran two Grammy Awards in 2016 for song of the year and best pop solo performance. In his homeland, “Thinking Out Loud” logged two weeks atop the Official U.K. Singles Chart.
To see how Mayo progresses in the competition, tune in to America’s Got Talent on Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC, or catch it streaming the next day on Peacock.
Watch his full performance on America’s Got Talent below.