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Elton John moved to tears by wrongfully imprisoned America’s Got Talent performer Archie Williams

AGT
AGT

Sir Elton John has revealed he felt emotional after watching a moving performance of his song Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me on America’s Got Talent.

In a Twitter post, the legendary singer praised Archie Williams’s rendition of the song, saying he was ‘moved to tears’ on hearing the contestant's story.

During his audition, Williams explained how he was imprisoned for 37 years after he was wrongfully accused of attacking a woman in 1982.

He was freed thanks to the efforts of the Innocence Project, a non-profit organisation that aims to end wrongful convictions, and DNA evidence that cleared his name.

Williams then delivered a powerful rendition of Sir Elton John and George Michael’s Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me, which all four judges praised.

Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara were left emotional and gave the performance a standing ovation.

Archie Williams was thrilled when he made it through (America's Got Talent)
Archie Williams was thrilled when he made it through (America's Got Talent)

Sir Elton John clearly felt the same way, as he tweeted: “I was moved to tears when I heard Archie’s story and saw him perform Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me.

“The courage and forgiveness shown by him is truly inspiring. The same spirit that the world found so inspiring with Nelson Mandela. Love, E xx”

Head judge Simon Cowell also tweeted in support of Williams, writing: “I will never forget this audition for the rest of my life. And I’ll never listen to this song in the same way ever again.”

He later revealed he has become an Ambassador for the Innocent Project, hoping it will “encourage more people to support the incredible work they do”.

Williams was freed from Angola prison in Louisiana at the age of 58.

The singer said he would watch America’s Got Talent in prison and visualise himself performing on the show.