Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

Michigan Oxford High School Grad Wows Judges on ‘America’s Got Talent’

Author Anne Erickson
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Recent Oxford High School graduate Ava Swieczkowski, who goes by Ava Swiss, had an incredible performance on the NBC reality show “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday night (July 26). The performance was recorded after the shooting and before the school year ended. Swiss was actually inside Oxford High School when four students were shot and killed last fall. She also sang at the candlelight vigil.

Swiss picked the song “Remember” by Lauren Daigle. She told Cowell and the other judges, “I chose this song because back on November 30th, my brother and I were a part of the Oxford school shooting. We lost four of our students and seven others were injured, one of which was a teacher.” In the end, she moved onto the next round.

Cowell asked how she was coping. She answered, “It’s been hard. I remember my brother and I, we said there was no way we were stepping foot back in the school, but we’ve actually been in person for two months now so things are getting better.”

After her performance, Howie Mandel said, “You know, in life, it’s tough to show up, especially after going through incredible trauma. The fact that you can break through that and shine the way you did today is so inspirational for every human being. You really shined. That was wonderful.” Heidi Klum added, “I mean, you are incredible. Wow! You have pipes and they’re just so special.”

“I mean, it took my breath away,” Sofía Vergara added. “You sound beautiful. I thought the song you picked was perfect. You were not just singing, you were like, showing your feelings and it gave me goosebumps.” Finally, Cowell said, “I think you are gutsy. I really, really do. For me, this is one of those auditions I will never forget. I really have so much respect for you. And on top of that, you’ve got a great voice. You’re somebody I’m so happy to have met. That’s the one thing over the years on this show, we’ve just met the most extraordinary people on this show and now we’ve just met you.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ahFTM-1y9k&t=1s

Famous Music Videos Filmed in Michigan

  • Bob Seger, Detroit Made

    Of course the “Detroit Made” music video was filmed in Detroit!

  • Halestorm, I Miss the Misery

    It’s so cool that Lzzy Hale and Halestorm filmed their music video for “I Miss the Misery” at The Machine Shop in Flint and other locations in the city! This was back in 2021.

  • Poison, Ride The Wind

    “Ride The Wind” was filmed at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. One of my friends is actually in the crowd in this video!

  • P.O.D., This Goes Out to You

    P.O.D. filmed their music video for “This Goes Out to You” in Lansing, Michigan. It’s a live video featuring footage from their 2015 performance at Common Ground Music Festival alongside Three Days Grace, Finger Eleven and All That Remains. I was in the crowd and photo pit but don’t see myself in the video.

  • Eminem, Fall

    Eminem filmed a ton of his music videos in Michigan. “Fall” was filmed in Detroit’s Corktown.

  • Big Sean, Single Again

    “Single Again” was filmed around Detroit, including in Downtown Detroit outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.

  • The Lost Trailers, Holler Back

    Nashville country music band The Lost Trailers shot their music video “Holler Back” in Grand Rapids.

  • Uncle Kracker, Smile

    “Smile” was filmed in Mount Clemens and other Michigan locations.

  • Kid Rock, Born Free

    “Born Free” was shot in Alger County. Kid Rock loves to film videos in Michigan!

  • Big Sean, Guap

    Guap was shot in the middle of a road in Detroit, Michigan. He’s another regular when it comes to filming videos in Michigan and Detroit.

  • Kid Rock, All Summer Long

    “All Summer Long” was filmed in Northern Michigan and shows Kid Rock driving a Grand Craft Grand Sport boat out on Torch Lake.

  • Eminem, Lose Yourself

    The music video for “Lose Yourself” was filmed in Detroit, Michigan, and features shots of the city, including the Ambassador Bridge.

  • Eminem, Good Guy

    Eminem’s “Good Guy” music video was filmed in Grosse Pointe.

  • Eminem, Royce da 5'9", Big Sean, Danny Brown, Dej Loaf, Trick Trick - Detroit Vs. Everybody

    Of course “Detroit Vs. Everybody” was filmed in Detroit. What a collaboration!

  • Anna Burch, Not So Bad

    Detroit musician Anna Burch shot “Not So Bad” at the beautiful Senate Theater in Detroit.

  • Metallica: Live in Muskegon, Michigan - November 1, 1991 (Full Concert)

    This isn’t a real “music video” but still very cool! “Taken from a dusty old VHS tape from the Metallica Vault. Filmed at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan on November 1, 1991,” Metallica states.

Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.

Sign Up For The 94.7 WCSX Classic Rock Insider Newsletter

Get the latest Classic Rock and local stories you need to know about, plus exclusive contests, games, and more!

*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Anne Erickson
Category:

More Anne Erickson

Load More