His performance was not just a song—it was a heartfelt tribute to his wife and the journey they’ve experienced together.
In an episode full of impressive acts, it was police officer Mervin Mayo from Richmond, VA, who truly captured the spotlight on America’s Got Talent.
His emotional rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” left both the judges and the audience in awe, earning him four enthusiastic yeses and a standing ovation.
Mayo, who has devoted his life to supporting at-risk youth, shared a deeply personal story before his performance. He spoke about his difficult upbringing in the housing projects of Richmond and how a police officer named Curtis Simmons helped him escape a life of hardship.
“I’ve seen more murders as a child than I have as a police officer,” Mayo revealed. This experience motivated him to become a police officer and mentor to at-risk youth, dedicating 17 years to offering the same guidance he once received.
With the encouragement of his wife Michelle, the director of school counseling for Richmond Public Schools, Mayo decided to take a leap of faith and audition for America’s Got Talent. His performance of “Thinking Out Loud” was not just a song—it was a tribute to his wife and the journey they’ve shared.
As Mayo sang, he often glanced toward the wings where Michelle stood, watching him proudly, which added a layer of genuine emotion to his performance.
His smooth, soulful voice perfectly captured the essence of Sheeran’s romantic ballad, and his heartfelt delivery deeply resonated with everyone in the room.
The judges were visibly moved by Mayo’s story and performance. “You really do have a good voice and everything you did was sincere,” praised Simon Cowell. Sofia Vergara echoed this, saying, “You guys are a beautiful couple, and your voice is spectacular. Super romantic, how beautiful that you love her and you’re singing to her.”
Howie Mandel applauded the couple’s commitment to their community, saying, “You are the people that allow us to be safe and the ones in our school system. You’re both serving the community, and that’s a wonderful thing.”
Heidi Klum summed up the judges’ sentiments, saying, “You sounded great up there. You felt right at home. I felt the love. It was beautiful.”
Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” was a major success on the Billboard charts. Released in 2014 as part of his album x (Multiply), the song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed in the top 10 for 23 weeks.
It also became the first song to spend a full year in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 40. Additionally, “Thinking Out Loud” topped the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart and earned Sheeran two Grammy Awards in 2016 for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. In the UK, the song spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Official UK Singles Chart.
To follow Mayo’s journey in the competition, tune in to America’s Got Talent on Tuesdays at 8/7c on NBC, or stream it the next day on Peacock.
Watch his full performance on America’s Got Talent below.