The country singer closed up the season 17 finale with an electrifying performance of his own song “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” and one judge even said she wants to “purchase a ticket” to his future performances.
PHOTO : DAVID LIVINGSTON/GETTY IMAGES
America’s Got Talent season 17 is coming to an end, and following Tuesday’s performances of the season finale, it seems the competition may have a frontrunner.
Drake Milligan, a country music artist, got all four of the show’s judges up and dancing with his rendition of his original song “Sounds Like Something I’d Do,” which was the same song he performed for his initial audition.
Judge Heidi Klum proclaimed Milligan, 24, to be “the one to beat” and the season’s primary “standout” after her last performance, adding that “you can tell the audience loves you, the camera loves you, and I love you.”
Sofa Vergara went as far as to declare, “I immediately want to get a ticket to your performance,” as she praised the musician as “wonderful,” following her standing ovation.
The actress “never has to buy” a ticket for any of Milligan’s upcoming gigs, the comedian informed PEOPLE backstage.
He responds, “She can get into any concert she wants to.” “She is always given free tickets. She is always admitted free of charge.”
“Sounds Like Something I’d Do” rocketed to the top of the iTunes country chart after Milligan’s audition was broadcast in June, and judge Simon Cowell praised him on Tuesday for his repeat song selection.
He commented in the episode, “You could have just walked, and you didn’t. “You returned and participated, and I believe it was very appropriate to do so with that song and a spectacular performance to remind us of the star you are, because you are.”
He continued, “I genuinely believe this will be the beginning of your career.”
But Milligan says he was “worried” about potential backlash from playing the same song again.
He tells PEOPLE, “You fear that maybe they’re going to feel like you should have brought a new song or something else. It was nice to hear their responses and feel that they recognised that I improved the song and made an effort to do something different with it.
The programme will select a new winner. Judge Howie Mandel stated on Wednesday night that he thinks there “there a chance” Milligan will win the $1 million award. On the judge’s panel, he remarked, “I think you just brought it home and I think you’re a star,” following the final performance.
According to Milligan, he would utilise the $1 million prize money to give his fans an amazing live performance.
He adds that “being on the road is expensive, there’s a lot of gear, and there are a lot of travel fees.” The million dollars would really assist to kind of facilitate getting more material on the road and a bigger production because “we’re in a van and we have a trailer full of gear, and we need more of it always.”
Whether or if he wins the competition, Milligan already feels that his time on the show “changed everything” for his career.
It’s been difficult, he acknowledges, spending the last five years in Nashville writing and recording a song. “It’s been a tough kind of climb-up to get people to come to shows and get on the radio, but AGT has given me that opportunity to get in front of millions of people and break the seal and break the mould and have the opportunity to sing for a lot of people and get my music out there,” the contestant said.
“I’m very grateful,” he adds.
Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, the America’s Got Talent season 17 finale will reveal if Milligan is declared the champion.
