AMERICA’S Got Talent fans were left in tears as widower of a victim from the Kobe Bryant crash, Matt Mauser, stunned in an emotional audition.
The school teacher-turned-singer began to cry as he explained to the judges that he lost his wife, Christina Mauser, in the helicopter accident that killed the lives of nine – including the NBA star and his 12-year-old daughter, Gigi.
As Matt stepped on stage, judge Simon Cowell, 61, asked why he decided to try out for the NBC talent competition.
Already appearing emotional, the dad-of-three responded: “I’m a singer and I’m here because my wife and I were both school teachers.
“And we retired from teaching so I could do music full time and she got the opportunity to coach women’s basketball with Kobe Bryant.
“But on January 26 of 2020, I lost my wife in the same helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant.
“If I had it my way, I’d have my wife here and I’d be supporting her. It’s been a rough year but here I am.”
He said that he went on the show to “show his children that this grief does not define their family.”
The rest of the panel – Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara – looked shocked as Simon said: “I am so sorry.”
Matt belted out the classic Phil Collins ballad, Against All Odds, and by the end of the track, he was so overcome with emotion he could barely sing.
All four judges were impressed and gave the Orange County native a standing ovation.
The singing hopeful got a “yes” from each of the A-list critics and his three children ran out from the side of the stage to give their a big hug.
AGT fans were equally as moved as the Mauser family – with many exclaiming they had “chills” from the performance.
One person wrote: “Wow. Chill bumps, watching #AGT. “Our grief is not going to define who we are.” What a great song and special family. Matt Mauser brought down the house. (I’m not crying, you’re crying!)”
“I am crying. I know Kobe Bryant and his daughter died that day, but people forget about the other 7 people who died. But their families haven’t.
“I felt all of Matt Mauser’s feelings and know he was singing to his wife Christina Mauser. Beautiful job,” another viewer wrote.
A third said: “I’m in tears right now #AGT Yes standing o for Matt!!”
“Now that was filled with so much emotion there! Matt should really be proud of himself for that, while doing this for his kids as well,” a fourth gushed.
One more cried: “I’m crying already and the audition hasn’t even started. Matt, I’m so sorry you lost your wife in the helicopter crash. I know she’s looking down and cheering you on at your audition.”
More to follow…
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