Tyler Butler-Figueroa is only 11 years old, but he has already overcome some incredible hardships in his life.
When Tyler was just four years old, he was out with his family at a restaurant in his hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina. Suddenly, he started feeling sick. His mom, Kisua, took one look at him and rushed him to the emergency room. The doctor did bloodwork, and then he told Kisua that her little boy had leukemia.
“It was the worst day of my life,” Kisua said.
Tyler spent the next few years doing chemotherapy, which caused him to lose his hair. Unfortunately, the kids at his elementary school weren’t very kind to him—they bullied him because he was sick.
“I was sad and embarrassed,” Tyler said. “They would spread rumors to say that my cancer was contagious and they all wanted to stay away from me.”
After three years of chemotherapy, Tyler finally went into remission when he was seven. That same year, something happened that changed his life: he saw a flyer advertising after-school violin lessons.
Tyler asked his mom if he could go. Kisua was confused since nobody else in her family played an instrument, but she said he could give it a try.
Tyler absolutely loved the violin lessons. He’d spent hours practicing in his room, and Kisua was so happy to see Tyler excited about something.
“When I play the violin, it makes me forget about the bad stuff,” said Tyler. “I didn’t want to just be the Kid with Cancer — so now I’m the Kid who Plays the Violin.”
When Tyler was eleven, he decided he wanted to try his luck auditioning for America’s Got Talent. He played the violin in Downtown Raleigh to raise money for the airfare. His hometown paper, The Raleigh News & Observer, interviewed him. Tyler told them that he hoped to inspire other kids with his music.
“I like playing the violin — it inspires me to play music for other children with the same story as me,” Tyler said. “I’m proud to be here street performing and I want to show other kids they can do what their heart tells them what to do.”
Tyler raised enough money, and he and his mom flew to the America’s Got Talent auditions.
When it was time for Tyler to audition, he was nervous but also excited. He went on stage and told the judges about his incredible story. The judges were all moved by Tyler’s story, and they were excited to hear him play the violin.
Tyler decided to play a song from his favorite music genre: pop. He did an amazing rendition of Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger.”
When Tyler finished playing, everybody in the audience and the judges gave him a standing ovation. Tyler teared up as he saw all these people who supported him.
Julianne Hough, Gabrielle Union, and Howie Mandel all gave Tyler positive feedback. Then, it was Simon’s turn. After a dramatic pause, Simon said:
“You have an amazing talent and such a personality. And I would like to say something on your behalf to your bullies.”
Then, he slammed on his golden buzzer, sending Tyler straight to the live show in Hollywood.
Tyler and his mother both couldn’t stop crying and laughing as the golden streamers fell all around Tyler. Terry Crews asked Tyler how he felt, and he said:
“I feel very proud of myself and very happy.”
Tyler is an amazingly talented violinist who has overcome so much in his eleven years of life. We can’t wait to see what song Tyler performs in the live shows!
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