“HE TOOK A FEW DAYS OFF FROM THE ARMY… AND LEFT SIMON COWELL GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR.” Most AGT contestants arrive chasing a dream. Isaak Atkins arrived after six years of military service—and delivered a performance nobody saw coming. Taking on Måneskin’s hit Beggin’, the Army sergeant matched the song’s relentless energy note for note, turning the theater into a singalong and leaving the judges visibly impressed. By the final chorus, Howie was bopping along, Mel B was dancing in her seat, and fans were already wondering if this could be one of the breakout auditions of Season 21.

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‘America’s Got Talent’ Hopeful Has the Judges ‘Beggin” With His Take on the Måneskin Hit: Watch

America's Got Talent' Hopeful Has the Judges 'Beggin” With His Take on the Måneskin Hit: Watch

Put your lovin’ hand out for the Golden Buzzer, judges, because this contestant rocks! When America’s Got Talent returns for its third round of auditions Tuesday (June 16), one man is ridin’ high as he delivers his cover of Måneskin’s hit song “Beggin’,” and Billboard has an exclusive sneak peek of the performance.

 

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In the clip, U.S. Army sergeant Isaak Atkins belts out Måneskin frontman Damiano David’s rapid-fire lyrics from the latter half of the second verse, matching the rocker’s speed but adding a rich depth to the raspy vocals. “I’m begging, I’m begging you,” he croons powerfully yet passionately as the audience dances and Simon Cowell wears a grin from ear to ear. “Put your lovin’ hands out, baby!”

By the end of Atkins’ performance of the Italian rock band’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 13 hit (which itself is a cover of the Four Seasons’ 1960s track of the same title), judge Howie Mandel is smiling and bopping his head to the beat, while Mel B. dances happily in her seat as Sofia Vergara watches her.

America's Got Talent' Hopeful Has the Judges 'Beggin" With His Take on the Måneskin Hit: Watch | K-Jewel 99.3 FM

Atkins, who has been in the army for six years and is stationed in Honolulu, took a few days off from duty to audition for NBC’s long-running talent competition, which is currently in its 21st season. His journey to AGT began after he started sharing clips of himself singing in the car (showcasing his covers of artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, sombr, Gucci Mane, Bell Biv DeVoe, The Smiths and many more) on TikTok. After his soldiers learned about his talent and social media clips, they encouraged him to try out for AGT.

America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, and streams the next day on Peacock.

Watch Billboard’s exclusive clip of Isaac Atkins’ audition on AGT below:

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