Johnny Manuel: From Teen R and B Star to AGT’s Soul Sensation

Johnny Manuel’s 2017 performance of “I Have Nothing,” the legendary soul song by Whitney Houston, on the 12th season of America’s Got Talent, was the show-stopper. The crowd went wild with applause after Johnny’s mesmerizing performance, which was a combination of fire and delicacy.

Johnny Manuel has been on stage before, including at America’s Got Talent. A professional debut had been made by the singer, who was born in Michigan, 18 years prior. Johnny, an R&B performer who had a brief record deal with Warner Music Group when he was fourteen years old, opened for major acts like Jay-Z and Destiny’s Child, and went on tour with NSYNC. Deep within YouTube’s algorithm, his first track, “I Got You,” is still hiding.

Warner eventually severed ties with the rising sensation when Johnny Manuel’s debut album failed to meet expectations. The incident happened while Johnny was still a teenager, so he had to take a long break from his music career so he could get over it. But in 2017, at the age of 32, Johnny attempted to regain the limelight—a legendary act that had shocking repercussions.

Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel all gave Johnny a “Yes” during his American Idol audition, advancing him to the next round. R&B icon Seal gave him a Golden Buzzer for his performance on Judge Cuts, and his audition video alone has 24 million views on YouTube. Johnny risked advancing to the semi-finals by singing an original song called “Blind Faith,” which fell short of showcasing his incredible singing abilities.

Johnny Manuel may not have made it to the final, but he cemented his position as an exceptional performer and an inspiration to the Black LGBTQIA+ community. Being a member of the Bulgarian band EQUINOX, he went on to participate in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. In 2020, he finished as the runner-up on the 9th season of The Voice Australia. After putting out an extended play in 2022 and a full-length in 2023, Johnny Manuel’s candid conversation with Queerty exposed the real man underlying the music—a man who looks up to Diana Ross and wants to see queer Black liberation. Johnny has been an inspiration to aspiring singers ever since he stepped foot on the America’s Got Talent stage.