America’s Got Talent contestant Jane Marczewski popularly known as Nightbirde has died after a long battle with cancer.
Marczewski fought cancer for four years and died on Feb. 19, 2022. “We, her family, are devastated by her passing and unimaginable loss,” the Marczewski family said.
The 31-year-old singer-songwriter earned a legion of followers following her audition on the talent show and was Simon Cowell’s Golden Buzzer act on season 16.
Nightbirde moved the judging panel to tears last year when she auditioned with her original ballad, ‘It’s Okay’, a song that chronicled her battle with cancer in her lungs, spine, and liver.
She told the panel she had just a “two percent chance of survival”. She added: “But two percent isn’t zero percent. Two percent is something and I wish people knew how amazing it is. It’s important that everyone knows that I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.”
Although Simon hitting his golden buzzer sent the singer into the final of the competition, Nightbirde ultimately had to pull out because of her declining health.
She announced in August 2021: “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.
“I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of AGT. Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it — but we knew that already. Thank you for all your support, it means the world to me. Stay with me, I’ll be better soon. I’m planning my future, not my legacy. Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.”
Host Terry Crews, judges Heidi Klum and Howie Mendel are among the many who have tribute to the bright star on their own social media accounts