Following news of her passing, AGT judge Howie Mandel paid tribute to the singer from Ohio. She “was such a bright inspirational light in all our lives,” he wrote on Twitter. “We must continue to live and learn from her words and lyrics. As much as I feel horribly about her passing I feel lucky to to have met, heard and known her.

Viewers met Nightbirde in Season 16 of the NBC competition series, which aired in summer 2021. Judge Simon Cowell hit the Golden Buzzer for her following her performance of an original song, “It’s OK.” She then withdrew in August 2021. The singer had survived breast cancer, but then the cancer metastasized to her lungs, spine, and liver.

America’s Got Talent’ Singer Nightbirde Gives Update on Cancer Fight. “Sharing my heart with the world on AGT has been an honor and a dream come true. My point of view this summer has been astounding. What a miracle that the pain I’ve walked through can be reworked into beauty that makes people all over the world open their eyes wider,” she explained in a post on Instagram. “Since my audition, my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention. … Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it—but we knew that already.