In one of the most unexpected moments in reality TV history, a chicken wowed the judges of America’s Got Talent with a piano performance that left the entire studio speechless. During Season 12 of the show, Jokgu the Chicken stepped onto the AGT stage and delivered a surprisingly emotional rendition of Ray Charles’ patriotic classic “America the Beautiful.”
At first, Jokgu appeared hesitant, prompting some groans from the audience and skeptical reactions from judges Mel B and Simon Cowell. However, the mood shifted dramatically once Jokgu began confidently pecking out the song’s familiar notes on the keyboard. Judge Howie Mandel, visibly intrigued, even jumped out of his seat in anticipation.
NBC reported that as soon as Jokgu began playing, Mel B was left stunned. “No way. That is crazy. I have never seen that before,” she exclaimed. Mandel, deeply moved by the chicken’s musical talent, stood with his hand over his heart. Not long after, Heidi Klum rose from her seat, grinning with admiration. Even the typically tough Cowell stood and applauded by the end of the performance. Show host Tyra Banks also chimed in with enthusiasm, proclaiming, “That is what I call talent.”
With four enthusiastic yeses from the judges, Jokgu advanced to the next round, marking a milestone not only for novelty acts on AGT but also for avian performers everywhere.
Once the audition was shared online, fans flocked to the comment section to show their support. One user joked, “Chicken does nothing. The audience boos. Jokgu: ‘Okay, Bish wants a piece of this??!!??’ Plays the piano.” Another wrote, “This is the best performance ever on America’s Got Talent. It deserved the golden buzzer.” A third added, “Poor Chicken initially had stage fright, but once she overcame it, she went on to impress and delight the audience.” Yet another fan praised Jokgu’s courage, saying, “She impressed the hell out of everyone even after they booed her… what a brave girl. She’s ‘no chicken.’”
Jokgu’s appearance was facilitated by her two owners, Seiree Arii and Shannon Myers. During the audition, Mandel asked what Jokgu would do on stage. Arii responded, “She’s gonna play the keyboard and she’ll play ‘America the Beautiful.’” Simon Cowell, surprised, asked, “Are you serious?” Arii confirmed, and Myers added, “She’s gonna play that keyboard right there.”
According to HuffPost, Shannon later praised Jokgu’s rapid learning and intelligence, stating, “She picked it up very quickly, she’s very intelligent.” Jokgu’s journey on America’s Got Talent, while brief, certainly made an impression. She was eventually eliminated during the Judge Cuts round after attempting to perform Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” on the piano, this time alongside her feathered sibling, Aichan.
Though her time on the show ended sooner than fans hoped, Jokgu’s unforgettable piano performance earned her a place in AGT history—and in the hearts of viewers around the world.
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