I think America's Got Talent star Charity Lockhart has come a long way and she deserves to win

When I first heard Charity Lockhart sing on America's Got Talent, I felt like time paused for a moment. There's something so deeply soulful about her voice; it’s as if every note she hits carries the weight of her story, her faith, and her fight. I’ve been watching America's Got Talent for years, and let me tell you, performers like Charity don’t come around often. They’re rare. They’re electric. And according to me, they’re exactly what this show was made for.

Charity's Golden Buzzer moment on America's Got Talent didn’t just give me chills, it made me believe again in the power of raw, emotional artistry. When Mel hit that buzzer, it felt less like a TV moment and more like a spiritual one.

I think Charity deserves to win, not just because of her voice, but because of how far she's come.

---

Why her journey makes her a standout on America's Got Talent

Charity isn’t new to the stage. In fact, her entire life has been leading up to this moment. She grew up surrounded by music, with a mother who sang and played piano and a father who played the saxophone and preached. And I think you can hear every part of that upbringing in her voice. It’s rich, it’s emotional, and it’s rooted in something real.

According to her official site, she started singing in church and later took her talents on the road, touring across the U.S. and even internationally. She’s performed at everything from weddings to major concert halls. And honestly, when you’ve done it all and still choose to show up for America's Got Talent, it tells me something. It tells me she’s still hungry. Still humble. Still hopeful.

And in a season filled with flashy acts, that kind of quiet determination is refreshing.

---

A tribute act, but never a copy

Let’s talk about Aretha. Yes, Aretha Franklin. Charity has built a powerful tribute show to the Queen of Soul herself, and from what I read on the show’s official page, it’s not your average impersonation gig. This isn’t some Vegas-style mimicry act with glitter and growls. It’s a full-blown celebration, with a 10-piece band, gospel choir, and a sound that “touches your soul.”

But what I think makes it special is that Charity doesn’t disappear into Aretha. She honors her. There’s a difference. She brings her own soul, her own story, and her own spirit to the stage, and somehow manages to channel the essence of Aretha without ever letting go of herself. That’s not easy to do. That’s talent with intention.

So when she steps onto the America's Got Talent stage, she’s not riding on Aretha’s name; she’s bringing her own to the spotlight.

---

I think she’s more than a contestant, she’s a full-grown artist

You can always tell when someone’s been doing this for a while. Charity doesn’t second-guess herself. She knows when to hold back, when to let go, and when to just stand still and let the music do the talking. That kind of control doesn’t come from singing in the shower; it comes from decades of stage time.

You can tell Charity’s been doing this for years. She’s not just a singer, she’s a vocal coach, a motivational speaker, and even an author. She’s married, raising two kids, and still finds time to pour herself into music and ministry. That kind of balance? That’s artistry.

When she’s on stage, it doesn’t feel like a competition. It feels like a lesson in how it’s done. America's Got Talent becomes her classroom, and we’re all lucky to be in it.

---

She brings soul to a show that sometimes forgets it

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a dancing dog or a fire-juggling magician as much as the next person. But sometimes, America's Got Talent leans a little too hard into the spectacle. What Charity brings is soul. Real, undiluted, goosebumps-up-your-spine soul. And I think that’s exactly what this season needed.

She doesn’t rely on drama or gimmicks. She walks out, smiles, and lets her voice handle the rest. And every single time, it does. You can feel the room shift. I felt it from my living room.

There’s a reason audiences love her. She makes music that feels good and means something. That’s rare and valuable, especially on a show like America's Got Talent, where moments can feel big but sometimes hollow.

---

So here’s my take: I think Charity Lockhart is the full package. A lifelong performer with something to say, and a voice that demands you listen. In a season of wild surprises and viral clips, she’s the one act that truly stuck with me.

America's Got Talent has always been about dreams, and Charity’s been dreaming for a long time. But now? She’s living it. And if we’re lucky, we’ll get to keep watching her rise.

I’ll be cheering her on all the way to the finale, and hopefully beyond.