Isaac Atkins is one man whose job doesn’t define him.

The 23-year-old from Lewiston, Maine, speaks with a booming baritone voice, the kind that thumps your chest like a sound system built to handle bass. No doubt he uses that talent to some effect in his regular job, serving as a sergeant in the U.S. army.

On Tuesday night, June 16, Atkins got his chance to chase his dream when he stopped by America’s Got Talent during the Auditions phase.

At the top, Simon Cowell asked why Atkins was stood before him, and why now? Atkins, who is currently on leave (“I took a few days off to come here”), loves nothing more than to sing in the car. He’s been doing it since he was a kid, we learned, when his dad introduced him to the magic of Motown, and Sam Cooke.

Roughly 18 months ago, Atkins decided to share his gifts on social media with clips of himself singing songs by a slew of artists, from Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, sombr, Gucci Mane, Bell Biv DeVoe, The Smiths and others. His colleagues saw it, loved it. They were “the ones who kind of urged me to come here and sing. And realize my dream,” he recounts on the AGT stage. “So, I’m really happy to be here.”

Performing in front of a national — no, international — audience is no accident. “This is my dream,” he remarks.

Atkins didn’t waste his chance. He showcased his range and power with a cover of “Beggin’,” the soulful 1967 song by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons that enjoyed a second life when it was covered by Eurovision champions Måneskin in 2017.

“Isaac, let me tell you,” Mel B enthused. “You can sing.”

Sofía Vergara had similar thoughts. “What a voice. What a sexy voice you have,” she added.

Before Cowell or Howie Mandel had a chance to chime in, Mel B took matters into her hands. “Hold on a minute, before anyone else does this, I’m going to do it,” the Spice Girl said, as she reached for the Golden Buzzer. Cue gold confetti and good times.

Atkins, who has been in the army for six years and is stationed in Honolulu, now advances to the Live round of NBC’s AGT, which is currently in its 21st season.

Watch his Audition in full below.

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