Twitter defends young 'AGT' singer following Howie Mandel's harsh criticism

Night one of the America's Got Talent semifinals Tuesday night ended with an incredible, show-stopping performance from contestant Jimmie Herrod, whom judge Howie Mandel called "the best singer in this competition." However, earlier in the night, another singer found herself on the opposite end of Howie's praise.

28-year-old YouTuber Madilyn Bailey originally impressed the judges during her audition, when she sang a song made up of hate comments from the videos on her channel. And despite disappointing the judges with a cover of Sia's "Titanium" during the quarterfinals, Madilyn narrowly escaped elimination when Howie and Simon Cowell, along with America's live "Instant Save" votes, sent her on to the next round.

Cut to Tuesday, when Madilyn sang another original song, which was dedicated to her late grandmother. However, Howie just wasn't quite feeling it.

As Howie attempted to form his thoughts, the judge awkwardly stated, "Okay, Madison, listen. You're very good, that was kind of touching. I'm going to be totally honest, you're a very lucky girl that I think, lady, woman, person… that America is voting and not for me. I didn't think that was anything. I thought you were in the same lane as Tory." Boos from the audience began to take over as Howie finished his thought, saying, "I think you're a good singer. I responded to you. I'm incredibly disappointed. I responded to you in your audition, when you sang those mean tweets. I thought that was quirky, funny, inventive. And now, I don't think this was anything, to be honest with you."

Viewers on Twitter, who loved Madilyn's performance, did not appreciate Howie's harsh criticism. In fact, one person described his insult as "absolutely inexcusable."

Meanwhile, Simon, who is normally the mean one, agreed with the viewers.

"Am I allowed to say 'ass' on American TV," asked Simon. "Okay, good, because Howie, you're talking out of it."

Video transcript

[MUSIC - MADILYN BAILEY, "RED RIBBON"]

- (SINGING) Remember going insane but I'll never give up, a heart that's been broken is a heart that's been loved. Oh, red, red, red, red, red, red ribbon, red, red, red, red--

- The "America's Got Talent" semifinals kicked off Tuesday night. And while the night ended with an incredible showstopping performance from contestant Jimmie Herrod, whom judge Howie Mandel called, "the best singer in this competition," earlier in the night another singer found herself on the opposite end of Howie's praise.

HOWIE MANDEL: I'm going to be totally honest. You're a very lucky girl that I think-- lady, woman, person--

- What?

HOWIE MANDEL: --that America-- I'm just throwing-- that America is voting and not for me. I didn't think that was anything. I thought you were in the same lane--

(CROWD BOOOING)

HOWIE MANDEL: --as Tory.

- 28-year-old YouTuber Madilyn Bailey, who has over 8.5 million subscribers on her channel, originally impressed the judges during her audition when she sang a song made up of hate comments. And on Tuesday, Madilyn sang another original song, this time dedicated to her late grandmother. However, Howie wasn't quite feeling it.

HOWIE MANDEL: Incredibly disappointed, I responded to you in your audition when you sang those mean tweets. I thought that was quirky, funny, inventive, and now-- and I don't think this is anything to be honest with you.

- Viewers on Twitter who loved Madilyn's performance did not appreciate Howie's harsh criticism. In fact, one person described his insults as "absolutely inexcusable," while another tweeted, "Howie, I've loved you for years! But, I must say that I think your comments tonight to Madilyn Bailey were quite unnecessary and way off the mark. It even sounded a bit rude. You could have phrased it better."

And Simon Cowell, who is normally the mean one, agreed.

SIMON COWELL: Am I allowed to say "ass" on American TV? OK, good, because Howie you're talking out of it.

- Yes, thank you.

SIMON COWELL: Madilyn, good for you.