The television show, America’s Got Talent, gives talented individuals the opportunity to not only share their story and their talent with the world but also get a chance at kickstarting or expanding their career in the arts. When we see a great talent on stage, whether it be singing or performing magic, we genuinely hope that the person or group performing such has a very successful, fruitful, and long career ahead of them.
However, for one talented, 29-year-old family medicine doctor, Brandon Rogers, who appeared on the show in 2017, the latter scenario, unfortunately, did not come true. This wasn’t because his talent wasn’t great enough. In fact, his talent was far beyond what anyone would have expected. Rather, it was because a month before his America’s Got Talent audition aired on television, he tragically passed away in a car accident. The driver of the vehicle he was riding in fell asleep while he was in the passenger’s seat. While he is no longer here with us, Brandon’s talent is something the Internet still thoroughly enjoys.
On July 11 when Brandon’s America’s Got Talent audition broadcasted on television, text appeared on the screen prior to showing his performance: “On June 11th one of our contestants, Brandon Rogers, tragically passed away in a car accident. At the request of his family, we would like to honor his memory by sharing his audition with you.”
Before showing his audition, Brandon explains what inspired him to pursue his medical career: “My inspiration for becoming a doctor was kind of born out of a pretty tough experience when I was about six-years-old. I came from school one day, and I found my mom laying in a pool of b***d… The doctors were like heroes; they saved her life, and it made me want to be the doctor that I am today.”
Although Brandon had led a successful career in the medical field, he mentioned in the AGT episode that music is something that helps relieve his stress. “If I could find a way to combine being a doctor and medicine with music and singing, that would be a dream come true,” says Brandon.
Beginning his rendition of “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder on the AGT stage, the audience was already loudly cheering just five words into the song. “Doctor can sang!” says Tyra Banks in response. We agree, Tyra!
With standing ovations from the audience and a yes from each of the four judges after the performance, it’s clear that Brandon Rogers’ talent touched a lot of hearts. While it is a shame we can no longer enjoy future work from Brandon, we are truly lucky to have his voice recorded on film.
According to people who were lucky to have had Brandon in their lives, he was not only smart and talented, he also had a heart of gold; he was the whole package.
“Even with everything he had going on, he was always so humble and always wanting to encourage someone else and be there for someone else,” says Joselyn Spense, a friend of Brandon who graduated in 2006 from the University of Virginia where Brandon also attended.
Although Brandon’s life and America’s Got Talent experience got unexpectedly cut far too short, we can continue to respect, cherish, and enjoy his talent and the kind heart he possessed.
Enjoy and honor Brandon Roger’s impeccable talent by watching his America’s Got Talent audition below!
