Guy sings just one word on ‘America’s Got Talent’ — the judges and audience went completely wild

A lot of people enjoy karaoke but aren't great at staying in tune beyond a few lines into a song. Turns out that 'Tequila' by The Champs is just the song for them since it has just one word, and that’s all one has to sing. A few years ago, comedian Andy Rowell performed this song at a karaoke bar. He barely moved and stood awkwardly, waiting for the right moment to say 'Tequila.' The video went viral, getting millions of views across social media platforms. Then, in 2019, Rowell took this song to a bigger stage and had the last laugh. He auditioned for the reality show "America’s Got Talent" and stole the show with the track.

Most might think of it as a prank or a joke, but the audience reacted differently. As the music began playing, Rowell waited for the right moment. Then, right on cue, he sang the word 'Tequila,' just like in the original song. Although it seemed silly, it somehow worked. By the end of his performance, the crowd was cheering, and even the judges seemed to enjoy it, as reported by TIME Magazine. Judge Howie Mandel said, “Song choice is always important on this stuff. Not only the song choice but your exuberance and excitement. I love you.” He went on to claim that he was a big fan, as reported by Billboard.

The judges sent Rowell to the next round with a yes. Before taking the stage, the Chicago comedian had shared that karaoke wasn’t just a pastime for him; instead, it was a creative outlet and a way to turn something simple into something memorable. He said, “When I was growing up, I was really inspired by all sorts of music, but my first time really singing was at a karaoke bar. Ever since then, I’ve been singing. It makes me feel alive. Some people think, ‘Oh, it’s kind of amateur-ish,’ but it’s just as professional as a normal singer. There’s just lyrics on screen.” The crowd cheered and swayed to the rhythm, while the judges, including Simon Cowell, joined in on the fun.

Cowell remarked, “I’d like to hear the whole album, actually. It was so stupid I loved it." As reported by the Chicago Tribune, judge Gabrielle Union also said, “It’s so wrong, it’s right. I want to see what the next song is.” Meanwhile, years ago, when Rowell's video clip went viral, several social media users rushed to the comment section to share their reactions. One YouTube user, @mynameisntcoco4609, commented, “The way his smile slowly disappears after he says ‘Tequila' gets me every time. He looks brain dead.” Another person, @ShootAUT, wrote, “I love it when people know exactly what they're capable of but don't shy away from pushing themselves to the limit.”

Similarly, @pxemusic_ joked, “Why is this me when I try to do my presentation but the teacher is telling everyone to shut up, so I’m just standing there like.” Despite the popularity, some later alleged that Rowell was trying to copy Andy Kaufman's "Mighty Mouse" act from "Saturday Night Live." Like Rowell, Kaufman would wait for the ideal opportunity to sing a single line while standing quietly on stage. The entire performance became legendary due to his weird pauses and stillness. It was so iconic that Jim Carrey even replicated it in the 1999 movie "Man on the Moon."