A tribute was paid to Nightbirde in America’s Got Talent Season 18’s opening episode. Jane Marczewski was a 31-year-old singer and songwriter based in Ohio who went by the stage name ‘Nightbirde.’ She gave a memorable audition in the show and amazed the judges by singing ‘It’s Ok’ in June 2021. She said she wrote the song for herself when she required the lyrics so badly.
Nightbirde got the golden buzzer from Cowell that helped her move to the next round. Her audition’s YouTube video got more than 41 million views. That day, she revealed her fight with her breast cancer spread to her spine, liver, and lungs. She had to sadly withdraw from the show in August 2021 because her cancer symptoms worsened and took most of her time and energy.
Nightbirde’s breast cancer got detected in 2017. She went to reduce the intensity of cancer but ended up knowing that it had worsened and spread to other parts of the body. Unfortunately, it was the metastatic state of breast cancer that ended the lives of the majority of women.
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Nightbirde’s Death
Nightbirde poured her heart out in her Instagram post, writing that everyone who deserves it does not get a break, and we know it. After getting out of the competition, she again appeared there virtually. She thanked people for letting her perform and share her story. It also made her appreciate the human spirit.
Controlling his tears, Simon Cowell appreciated Nightbirde’s decision to prioritize her health at the moment with a standing ovation. She did not let anyone down on the show during her performance. Terry Crews had already considered her winner during her auditions. Cowell sent her prayers and lots of love on behalf of everyone in the show. They expressed their excitement to see her again singing a beautiful song on the show.
After fighting for four years, Nightbirde lost to cancer and died on 19 February 2022, which left her family devastated. According to a statement given by her family, many people remember her as America’s Got Talent fame. Nightbirde had a good sense of humor and knew how to enjoy her life.
Nightbirde’s personality was greater than her life. She did not hesitate to laugh at the jokes, even if they were on her. She taught the people to have faith in themselves and never give up. Jesus and music were the pillars of her life. After saying this, her family thanked everyone who supported her and sent them messages of love.
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Reaction To Nightbirde’s Death
America’s Got Talent honored Nightbirde through their tweet on 22 February 2022 and Instagram pages. Similarly, Simon Cowell tweeted about how extraordinary, determined, impactful, and talented she was. The other judges of the show tweeted too.
Mandel asked everyone to learn something from Nightbirde’s song’s lyrics through his tweet. Though sad about her demise, he was glad he met her. She taught him to continue living despite discrepancies.
The other three judges, Terry Crews, Klum, and Vergara, shared their condolences through their Instagram stories. Nightbirde might be gone, but her impact on America’s Got Talent was fresh even after a year of her death from cancer.
On 30 May 2023, in America’s Got Talent Season 18, a group of African singers called ‘Mzansi Youth Choir’ sang Nightbirde’s ‘It’s Ok.’ It was the first night of the auditions when they got the golden buzzer from the audience and not from Cowell this time.
Mzansi Youth Choir’s tribute to Nightbirde left Cowell in tears. He knew how passionate Nightbirde was and what the song meant to her. Meanwhile, the choristers got busy overcoming their joy of getting the golden buzzer after having so much pressure. Later, Nightbirde’s elder brother appreciated the group’s attempt to justify her performance.
Nightbirde’s family has decided to release an album of her songs containing the ‘It’s Ok’ that she performed in the show before getting the golden buzzer. According to her brother, Mitch Marczewski, she started putting songs and everything else together before her death though the process was emotionally painful.
The profits made from the sales of the album will go to the women fighting against breast cancer through the Nightbirde Foundation. Each song in the album contains powerful quotes and messages shared by Nightbirde. She wanted another identity instead of only being remembered as a cancer patient. It is how Mitch wants to keep Nightbirde’s powerful thoughts and music alive.
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