“Lockdown Vultures (Moab Mesa),” 2021

California-based photographer Doris Mitsch captures otherworldly images that question the notions of time, space, and our own linear reality. In her recent series titled Locked Down Looking Up, the artist turned to the sky for inspiration and found it in the flight patterns of traveling flocks of birds. Her composite photos combine images of those intricate flight trails and showcase the elaborately choreographed dance of interwoven paths that exist right above our heads.

“The series began as a project about finding beauty in the constraints of the pandemic lockdown,” Mitsch tells My Modern Met, “while we on the ground were locked down, up in the air, there was still a lot going on. But it was in the works for a long time before that.”

From her home in the San Francisco Bay Area and looking out at a tree-covered ridge across a small canyon, Mitsch has spent years experimenting with time-lapse videos and composite photos. One of her first photography classes in college involved her learning alternative methods of capturing images. She loved “seeing how photographers can mess with space and time” using lensless methods like cyanotypes, long exposures with pinholes, multiple exposures, and more.

Over the years, Mitsch’s subjects have ranged from the changing seasons and weather patterns to the paths of the Moon and stars, the movement of airplanes, and the actions of various animals. However, 2020’s lockdown caused the artist to shift her attention and refocus on how creatures inhabit the particular landscape surrounding her home.

“That’s one way my work is different from some other motion study photographs, and it’s another way the series continues to evolve now that I can move around more and capture sequences in different places,” she shares. “The vultures riding thermals in the Moab desert, the bats hunting mosquitos over my garden, and the seagulls that wheel above the shore aren’t just drawing abstract sketches onto the air, they are also in a dance with the land.”

Mitsch’s images capture the mesmerizing trails of various airborne creatures—birds, bats, and even insects—as they swirl and flit far above the Earth. Their flight patterns, when combined in these composite photos, create abstract forms and linear shapes so compelling that they seem as if they were carefully composed by the winged creatures themselves.

Mitsch’s exposures vary in the time they take to capture and the number of birds or other creatures in any given image. For example, one composite photo titled Lockdown Vulture (Signature) shows the path of just one vulture as it makes circles in the air. It was captured over the course of a minute. The total number of images she combines can also vary, ranging anywhere from 500 to 5,000.

“I love finding ways to photograph familiar things to reveal qualities we can’t see any other way, compressing distance or time to make an image that might take a minute or two to understand,” Mitsch says. “Physicists now say that there’s no such thing as linear time, at least not outside of human perception. Try as I might, I can’t get my head around that, but it’s interesting to think about…when I’m trying to make pictures of time in space, or space in time. If linear time really is an illusion, then maybe these photos are what flight actually looks like.”

Scroll down to see more of Mitsch’s incredible composite photos from her series Locked Down Looking Up. Her work is also on view through September 12, 2022, at the Lafayette City Center in Boston as part of the Griffin Museum of Photography’s exhibition, Vantage Point: The View From Here.

Photographer Doris Mitsch captures the mesmerizing flight trails of birds and other creatures in her series Locked Down Looking Up.

“Lockdown Vultures (Moab Slope),” 2021

“Lockdown Gulls (Sea Ranch),” 2021

The series is made up of composite photos that combine anywhere from 500 to 5,000 images.

“Lockdown Vulture (Signature),” 2021

“Lockdown Hawk (Marin Headlands),” 2022

She started the series during the pandemic lockdown in 2020 when everyone was forced to stay home.

“Lockdown Crows (Evening Commute),” 2020

“Lockdown Bats (Pas de Deux),” 2020

“While we on the ground were locked down, up in the air, there was still a lot going on,” Mitsch tells My Modern Met.

“Lockdown Crow (Wildfire Smoke),” 2020

“Lockdown Crows (One Tree),” 2020

Locked Down Looking Up features photos of everything from birds to insects to bats.

“Lockdown Swallows 3,” 2020

“Lockdown Dragonflies,” 2020

Doris Mitsch: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Doris Mitsch.

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READ: Photographer Creates Mesmerizing Flight Trails of Winged Creatures as a Meditation on Time

It’s not very often that you find a stray cat in a butcher shop. And due to the notoriously wily nature of our kitty-friends, most people’s first instinct would be to chase the feral creature out. However, when a hungry feline wandered into their storefront in Manisa, Turkey, the three friendly butchers at the Yesim Meat Gallery decided to offer the cat a tasty treat instead. And now, a video of the incident has gone viral.

After making its way through the door, the ginger-haired kitty climbed on top of a little lamb statue perched in front of the counter and stood on its two hind legs as if to politely make its order. The butcher at the counter kindly obliged with a few scraps of mouthwatering meat snacks for the hungry cat. It seems to be the kitty’s usual order, as this isn’t even the first time that the feline has stopped by for a tasty treat.

In fact, quite a few animals in the neighborhood make it a point to pay a visit to the butcher shop on occasion for a sampling of their quality meats. And their visits are always welcome because the store’s owner, Ikram Korkmazer, has a long-standing policy to feed any hungry animals who wander into his shop. So, luckily, no stray creatures will have to go hungry for long. If they’re looking for a tasty treat, they know exactly where to go.

This Turkish butcher shop went viral after they offered some tasty treats to a stray cat.

That wasn't even the feline's first time visiting the shop.

 

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A post shared by İkram Korkmazer (@ikramkorkmazer)

 

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A post shared by İkram Korkmazer (@ikramkorkmazer)

 

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A post shared by İkram Korkmazer (@ikramkorkmazer)

In fact, lots of animals stop by the butcher shop for a quick snack because the owner has a policy to always feed any hungry animals that wander past his store.

 

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A post shared by İkram Korkmazer (@ikramkorkmazer)

 

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A post shared by İkram Korkmazer (@ikramkorkmazer)

 

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A post shared by İkram Korkmazer (@ikramkorkmazer)

Ikram Korkmazer: Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok
h/t: [Laughing Squid]

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READ: This Butcher Shop Has a Policy To Always Offer Stray Animals Some Tasty Treats

Alex Chinneck, “A spring in your step,” 2021. Photography by Marc Wilmont

British artist Alex Chinneck is known for his mind-bending architectural sculptures that effortlessly combine the elements of art, design, and architecture. Whether in the form of an unzipped building, a structure turned on its head, or walls sliding down and cracking open to reveal what’s hidden behind them, his inventive sculptures always manage to challenge our perception of the world around us. A feat that always seems to transform the mundane into something remarkable.

One of his most complex and ambitious sculptures to date takes shape as a spiral staircase that springs upward and outward. The soaring structure, titled A Spring in your step, stretches further from expected reality and functionality as you trace its shape upwards. As it climbs skywards, its components uncoil and stretch further apart from each other, ultimately jutting out in three opposite directions. A green door even curves out from the tip of one of the staircase’s metal threads, adding to the sculpture’s surreal effect.

The galvanized steel structure climbs 25 meters (about 82 feet) up the façade of a building in Circus Street, a new neighborhood development in Brighton, England, built by regeneration specialist U+I. According to the artist, the four-ton sculpture “follows a non-repeating, expanding and contracting helical form” and took an entire three years to complete. Now, the site-specific work stands as a playful backdrop to the central courtyard below, contributing to the creative energy envisioned for the space.

Scroll down to see more images of Chinneck’s A Spring in your step. For more mind-blowing sculptures, visit the artist’s website and follow him on Instagram.

British artist Alex Chinneck designed a mind-bending sculpture, titled A Spring in your step.

The galvanized metal sculpture takes the form of a topsy-turvy spiral staircase that climbs 25 meters (about 82 feet) in the air.

A green door even curves from the top of one of the spiral staircase's springing threads, lending to the surreal effect of the architectural sculpture.

Watch this video to see how the ambitious project came together.

Alex Chinneck: Website | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Alex Chinneck.

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For dedicated adult LEGO hobbyists, there’s nothing better than finishing the build of a complicated set. The only thing that can trump that feeling is completing an entire LEGO collection. A LEGO fan since childhood, Étienne Goyer felt that joy when he finally completed all of his space-themed sets. Bursting with pride in his impressive collection, he shared a photo of it on Reddit. His fellow brick enthusiasts were just as stoked as him to see the awesome collection put together.

The effort clearly took a lot of dedication, as several of the space-themed LEGO sets have hundreds of pieces—some have thousands. The largest in Goyer’s space collection is the NASA Space Shuttle Discovery LEGO set with 2,354 pieces. And as another interesting easter egg, the NASA Apollo Saturn V set boasts a total of 1,969 pieces, the perfect number to match the year that Americans first landed on the Moon. (The enthusiastic builder admits that set was his favorite one to build of the entire bunch.)

Goyer estimates that it took him around 30 hours to build the whole collection, with 12 of those dedicated to the Shuttle Discovery set alone. But he says that he no longer calculates how long it takes him to complete one as it ultimately ruins the experience. “It’s by doing them slowly that you get to see the details in each set,” Goyer tells My Modern Met.

“Building LEGO sets saved my mental health during the 2020 lockdown,” Goyer continues. At one point, I was tired of watching TV and playing video games, so I ordered the UCS Imperial Star Destroyer (a 4,784-piece set). It kept me busy for nearly a week.”

That’s when Goyer renewed his childhood interest in LEGO building, and now he has a variety of sets and themed collections. Though he hasn’t counted the exact number, he shares, “I would say I have enough [sets] to make my mom seriously angry with me.” His LEGO collection includes sets from popular movie franchises, like Harry Potter and Star Wars, as well as other themes from LEGO Ideas and LEGO Creator Expert sets. Some of the ones he’s completed include the LEGO Titanic, a brick replica of the Colosseum, and a set of the Hogwarts Castle—which Goyer says is his favorite one that he’s ever done.

In the future, he might even be able to add a model of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to his impressive space-themed array. Because, as one enthusiastic commenter said, “The first mistake…is thinking a LEGO collection is complete.”

LEGO enthusiast Étienne Goyer completed his impressive space-themed collection and shared a photo of the proud accomplishment on Reddit.

He's also completed a variety of other complicated LEGO sets with hundreds and thousands of pieces, like the Hogwarts Castle (his favorite)…

…the Titanic…

…and the Colosseum.

Étienne Goyer: Instagram
LEGO: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Étienne Goyer.

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Embed from Getty Images

Getty Images recently announced an initiative that aims to uncover Black stories that are traditionally left unseen and untold. With the launch of its new Black History & Culture Collection (BHCC), the global visual media company will now provide free non-commercial access to more than 30,000 historical images that highlight the history and culture of the Black diaspora in the U.S. and the UK. Photographs in the collection date as far back as the 19th century and span all the way to the present day.

The goal of the collection is to make these rarely seen images more easily accessible to educators, academics, researchers, and content creators in order to allow them to bring to light the untold stories of Black culture and history throughout the diaspora. Getty Images also partnered with several renowned researchers, historians, and educators to thoughtfully curate the Black History & Culture Collection from its vast archive of visual content.

“Getty Images is committed to making this historical content accessible to ensure a more authentic representation of world history and drive more meaningful dialogue,” says Cassandra Illidge, vice president of partnerships at Getty Images. “This collection was curated in partnership with a roster of prestigious historians and educators with the goal of providing unfettered access to historical and contemporary imagery which will help content creators who have been seeking an inclusive visualization of history.”

Organized by decade, starting in the 1800s and extending all the way to the 2020s, this collection covers everything from military and politics to sports, culture, art, and music. While featuring intriguing images of cultural icons like the famous American singer and actress, Eartha Kitt, and snapshots of renowned agricultural scientist and inventor, George Washington Carver, the collection also extends to scenes of everyday life and depicts lesser-known Black trailblazers as well. It offers a more nuanced view of Black lives throughout history, documenting everything from their joy and triumph to their perseverance, innovation, and even their pain and struggle.

“To be involved with the Black History & Culture Collection and work so closely with reframing access to these images made a tremendous impact on me personally and professionally,” says Dr. Deborah Willis of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, one of the experts who helped curate the collection. “It offered me ways in which to guide my students’ research projects and to show how the Black History & Culture Collection is an active/useful archive that can be used by artists, scholars, families, politicians, and students to recontextualize the past and give new meaning to images that have been largely unknown or underused.”

The Black History & Culture Collection is now available to view. However, you must apply to gain full access to the images for non-commercial use. Visit Getty Images to learn more about the free collection.

Getty Images recently announced an initiative that will grant free access to more than 30,000 historical images of the Black diaspora in the U.S. and the UK.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

Its aim is to uncover Black stories that are traditionally left unseen and untold.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

The collection dates back as far as the 19th century and extends all the way to the present day, documenting rarely seen moments in Black History.

Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images

Watch this video to learn more about the Black History & Culture Collection.

Getty Images: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
h/t: [PetaPixel]

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READ: Getty Gives Public Access To 30,000 Images of Black History and Culture

For most people, the thought of what you would save if your house ever caught fire doesn’t go much further than a quick response to an icebreaker. But in the case of 25-year-old Nicholas Bostic, that question became all too real. The only catch—it wasn’t even his house. The Indiana native happened to be driving past a home in Lafayette around 12:30 a.m., during his shift as a pizza delivery driver, when he noticed that the two-story house was quickly going up in flames. Now, he is being hailed as a hero after saving the lives of the five children trapped inside the house fire.

As soon as he noticed the flames, Bostic stopped his car and quickly dove into action, fearing that people could be trapped inside the home. However, he didn’t have his phone on him to call 911 and didn’t want to waste time finding someone who could, so he took matters into his own hands and went inside the flaming house himself. He was able to get in the back door and immediately rushed upstairs, yelling about the danger as he went. When he reached the top of the stairs, he found the oldest of four siblings—ages 1, 6, 13, and 18—who was awoken by his shouting.

Thanks to Bostic’s warning, 18-year-old Seionna Barret was able to wake up her 13-year-old sister, Shaylee, and her friend, Livian Knifley, who was staying the night. Then the oldest teen grabbed her 1-year-old sister, Kaylani, and followed Bostic to safety outside “For a minute I didn’t understand it,” Shaylee shares, “but my sister ran upstairs with the baby in her hands and yelling at us to get up because there’s a fire. And for a minute I froze and I laid there because I was confused. That’s when we went downstairs and Nick was downstairs helping us.”

However, once they all made it outside, they soon realized that their 6-year-old sister was still in the rapidly-spreading blaze. Bostic ran back inside without hesitation, quickly heading up the stairs again to search in all the rooms, under every bed, and in every closet. His search seemed to be to no avail; but then, he heard a faint cry coming from the “black lagoon” of smoke downstairs. Though he was terrified, he swiftly covered his mouth and nose with his shirt and dove into the murky fog. “I don’t know how to explain it, but it was like I accepted I was going to probably die, right there, that night,” Bostic shares. “But it was a weird calm. You just got to work as fast as you can.”

He made his way through the unbearable smoke and heat on all fours, crawling toward the sound of the child’s cry. Once he finally got to the little girl, he cradled her to him and tried to make his way to the back door; but the smoke made it impossible to find. Thinking fast, Bostic decided to run towards the only other escape route he knew: the upstairs window. He broke the glass with his bare hand and fearlessly jumped out of the second-story window, landing on his side as he tried to shield the six-year-old from the brunt of the impact.

Harrowing police footage from the scene shows the 25-year-old as he dropped to the ground with the girl in his arms and staggered towards the officers, who had by then arrived at the scene. According to a release, Bostic was severely injured, “suffering from severe smoke inhalation and gravely cutting his right arm” during the heroic fire rescue. However, the little girl was “miraculously mostly uninjured.” Bostic was taken to the hospital to be treated for his injuries. The family dog, Buffy, was later rescued by EMTs who arrived to assist during the emergency.

The children’s parents, David and Tiera Barrett, were out on a date night when the incident occurred, and they were met with quite a horrifying surprise when they returned. But the couple couldn’t be more grateful to Bostic for the heroic lengths he went to save their children. “I literally told him he's now part of our family. And he was all on board with it,” David says. “Once we get settled someplace, we're going to invite him over and his girlfriend for dinner.”

But as for Bostic, he doesn’t consider himself a hero. ”I’m glad I was there at the right time, the right place,” the courageous 25-year-old says. “If [the] opportunity came again and I had to do it, I would do it…I knew what I was risking. I knew the next second it could be my life. But every second counted.”

The city will be honoring Bostic for his brave fire rescue during an upcoming Lafayette Aviators Baseball game. A percentage of ticket sales will also be donated to a GoFundMe account to help cover his medical expenses. A separate Facebook fundraiser and GoFundMe campaign started by Bostic’s family members have already raised more than $100,000 for the hometown hero between the two platforms. It goes without saying that every single penny is well deserved.

Nicholas Bostic, an Indiana pizza delivery guy, saved five children in a heroic house fire rescue.

Here’s the video to go along with the story. pic.twitter.com/TvZ5wzCg1f

— LafayetteINPolice (@LafayetteINPD) July 15, 2022

A statement released by police details the entire harrowing incident, including Bostic's brave jump from a second-story window to save a 6-year-old.

Heroic actions of a Lafayette Citizen saves the lives of several children! #hero #inspiring #courage #awesome @City_Lafayette pic.twitter.com/s5eLfNs21Q

— LafayetteINPolice (@LafayetteINPD) July 14, 2022

Watch this video to hear Bostic's account of the entire house fire rescue.

h/t: [HuffPost]

All images via Lafayette Police Department.

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READ: Heroic Pizza Delivery Guy Saves 5 Kids From a Burning House

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Mattel recently unveiled the newest Barbie in its Inspiring Women series—a doll made in the likeness of world-renowned primatologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall. The new Barbie doll is launched in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute and accompanies the introduction of a number of eco-initiatives the two organizations will spearhead together. But what really makes the Jane Goodall Barbie so unique is that it is the brand’s first signature doll to be made of recycled ocean-bound plastic.

Barbie’s Inspiring Women series aims to pay tribute to incredible women throughout history, so it’s fitting that they would choose such a subject for their latest doll. “Kids need more role models like Dr. Jane Goodall, because imagining they can be anything is just the beginning—seeing it makes all the difference,” says Lisa McKnight, executive VP and global head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel.

“We hope that this collection and homage to a groundbreaking pioneer for women in science and conservation inspires kids to learn more about green careers, how they can protect the planet, and act out sustainable stories through doll play,” she continues.

Goodall is most well-known for her ground-breaking research and field study of chimpanzees. Launched just before World Chimpanzee Day on July 14, the doll’s release also happens to perfectly coincide with the 62-year anniversary of Dr. Goodall’s first foray into the jungle of Gombe National Park in Tanzania, where she first began her immersive research when she was just 26 years old.

“I wanted a doll to be me even before this idea came up. I've seen…little girls playing with Barbie dolls and certainly at the beginning, they were all very girly girly, and I thought little girls need…some choice,” Dr. Goodall shares. “Mattel has changed its range of dolls and there's all kinds of astronauts and doctors and things like that. So many children learn about me at school. They'll be thrilled to have the Barbie doll.”

The doll’s attire and accessories are meant to reflect what the budding primatologist actually would have worn in the field back in the early 1960s. The Jane Goodall Barbie wears a khaki button-down, shorts, and black boots, and comes equipped with her trusty field notebook and binoculars as well. Of course, the set wouldn’t be complete without her chimpanzee companion, David Graybeard, the first Gombe chimp to trust and bond with Dr. Goodall during her research. The primate holds a wooden stick, which she noted that the animals used as tools to catch termites to eat.

Of all the Jane Goodall Barbie doll’s plastic parts and accessories, 90% are made of recycled plastic. And they made sure to box the toy in sustainable packaging as well. In addition to these eco-friendly initiatives, Mattel is also partnering with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots youth program to teach kids about their social and environmental impact and how they can make a change.

“My entire career, I’ve wanted to help inspire kids to be curious and explore the world around them—just like I did when I first traveled to Tanzania 62 years ago. I’m thrilled to partner with Barbie and encourage young children to learn from their environment and feel a sense that they can make a difference,” says Dr. Jane Goodall. “Through this partnership, I hope to inspire the next generation of eco-leaders to join me in protecting our planet and remind them they can be anything, anywhere—on the field, in the lab, and at the table.”

The Jane Goodall Inspiring Women Barbie Doll is now available to purchase for $35. You can buy it online from the Mattel Creations shop, Walmart, or Amazon.

Mattel just released a new Barbie doll in the likeness of Jane Goodall as part of its Inspiring Women series.

The doll and its accessories are made up of 90% recycled plastic. It wears authentic field attire, comes equipped with a notebook and binoculars, and also includes Dr. Goodall's first chimp subject, David Greybeard.

Watch this video to learn more about the doll.

Barbie: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube
h/t: [CNN]

All images via Mattel/Jane Goodall Institute.

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Japanese artist Kaori Kurihara sculpts fanciful ceramic sculptures of lusciously textured exotic fruits and vegetation, both real and imagined. Her exquisite pieces are heavily inspired by the plant world, especially the shapes and natural geometric repetition of forms in nature, which lend themselves to captivating motifs while also allowing for infinite diversity. Her first muse? The durian—a spiky fruit, commonly found in Southeast Asian regions, that is known for its pungent odor and distinct taste.

“I was amazed by its unique and magnificent shape,” Kurihara shares. “Thanks to this discovery, I started to create my series of ‘the imaginary fruits’…I inspire myself by nature and looking between reality and fantasy. It’s my own imagination.”

Kurihara also takes inspiration from the shapes and textures of other exotic fruits and tropical vegetation. And with one foot firmly planted in nature and the other skimming the surface of dreams, Kurihara crafts imaginative pieces that are at once realistic and otherworldly. Each one is hand-formed with painstaking detail before they’re adorned with vibrant hues that combine to make up vividly striking colorscapes.

“I want to represent something alive, and to feel the vitality of my pieces,” Kurihara says. “Each part of the piece must be touched and worked on, I never leave a blank part…If I feel a connection visually, this means I have succeeded.”

Despite how intricately detailed each of her ceramic sculptures is, Kurihara admits that the longest step in the process is deciding which colorful pigments to add to her one-of-a-kind creations. “The piece itself guides me to its own colors,” she explains. WhenKurihara’s vision comes together, it’s difficult not to become mesmerized by the luscious textures and nuanced tones that grace the surface of her strange and enchanting fruits.

Scroll down to see more images of Kurihara’s gorgeous ceramic sculptures. To keep up with her latest work, follow the artist on Instagram and Facebook.

Japanese artist Kaori Kurihara hand-crafts gorgeous ceramic sculptures that push the boundaries between fantasy and reality.

Her lusciously textured creations are inspired by exotic fruits and other naturally occurring motifs in nature.

She combines elements—both real and fictional—to create her own “imaginary fruits.”

Each piece is hand-formed and adorned with meticulous detail.

And when Kurihara's vision comes to life, it's hard not to be mesmerized by her enchanting ceramic creations.

Kaori Kurihara: Website | Instagram | Facebook

My Modern Met granted permission to use photos by Kaori Kurihara.

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READ: Japanese Ceramicist Handcrafts Fanciful Sculptures of Enchanting Exotic Fruits

Over the years, America’s Got Talent has graced our screens with a number of electrifying moments, from sensational acts to mind-blowing musical numbers. But there’s nothing more exhilarating than when a contestant gets the coveted Golden Buzzer. Usually, the honor is only reserved for those auditioning to be on the show. But in a heartwarming segment from AGT’s most recent season, 11-year-old Madison Taylor Baez was plucked from the audience and managed to wow the judges with her incredible vocal skills—so much so that they invited her to come on stage. And against all odds, her encore performance led to more than she ever could have expected.

It was always a dream for Baez to appear on the stage at America’s Got Talent. She began attending show tapings at just 4 years old! For years, she attempted to sing during the commercial breaks and her wish finally came true. Although she had planned to audition this year, the producers instead placed her in the audience as a sneaky surprise for the judges. And as soon as the young girl got her hands on a mic, she instantly blew everyone away with her powerful vocals as she sang Amazing Grace.

Everyone was visibly shocked because no one expected the 11-year-old girl to be such a powerhouse. As the crowd jumped to their feet in a standing ovation, each one of the judges spun around in their chairs to locate the source of such mind-blowing talent. And notoriously picky judge Simon Cowell, who had gone backstage during the break for a coffee, immediately ran back into the room to see what all the commotion was about.

“We do ask people in the breaks if they’d like to sing a song and I was literally just coming back in and I heard this voice, thinking, ‘Who the hell is that?’ And then I see this little thing in the audience and it’s you,” Cowell told Baez after inviting her onstage to sing again, this time in an official audition.

Without a backtrack, Baez belted out the classic once more, even going on to the second verse as the judges and audience clamored for more. “I’m not kidding,” Cowell continued, showering the girl with praise. “In all the years we’ve ever done this, this has never actually happened before. I mean, I normally leave during the break because people do sing, so this is actually the opposite. It actually brought me back into the room.”

Judge Howie Mandel then asked the 11-year-old what she planned to do if she managed to go all the way and win the $1 million grand prize. Her answer was more touching than even her outstanding performance. “I would help my dad with cancer research,” Baez responded through stunned tears. “He's had stage four colon cancer for the past nine years.”

Of course, by then there was no question about which way this audition was going to go. The audience jumped to their feet, repeatedly chanting “Golden Buzzer” as the judges prepared themselves to take a vote. In the end, no vote was necessary. Mandel took no time in rewarding the audience’s request as he stood and brought both hands down on the special buzzer, showering Baez in the signature gold confetti.

Many members of the audience were brought to tears, along with Baez, as they invited the girl’s father to join her onstage. He had come to show his support for his talented daughter as she made her dreams come true, but as he spoke to the judges, he revealed another piece to the story. “I've been battling cancer for the last nine years, and that's how she learned to sing,” her father, Chris, told the audience. “She would sing to me at the hospital throughout all my surgeries, through all my chemo treatments. She would sing to me and helping me get better, and I'm doing very well.”

So it seems young  Baez literally has the voice of an angel, and there’s no doubt that her Golden Buzzer was well deserved. Now, the next step is to see just how far her dreams will take her. And judging by her incredible audition, it will probably be pretty far.

Watch 11-year-old Madison Taylor Baez wow the judges and get the coveted Golden Buzzer on America's Got Talent.

Madison Taylor Baez: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
America's Got Talent: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube
h/t: [Upworthy]

All images via AGT.

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READ: 11-Year-Old Singer’s Unexpected Vocals Take ‘America’s Got Talent’ Judges by Surprise

 

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A post shared by Kenny_james16 tiktok (@sergioturtle)

Turtles aren’t known for their speediness, but a cute one named Sergio has finally found a foolproof way to get past the hare. In an adorable Instagram reel, the tiny reptile can be seen zooming around the house on a little Hot Wheels car. And once you see him in action, you won’t be able to take your eyes off the endearing display.

The way Sergio “drives” his car is both simple and ingenious. The turtle manages to attach himself to his “speed racer” by using non-toxic Silly Putty to stick the car to the bottom of his shell. And according to his human Kenny James, it’s one of Sergio’s favorite things to do.

Sometimes the turtle takes his Hot Wheels car for a spin with no hands. And once, he even brought one of his amphibian friends, Tubby the toad, along for a ride. But when he’s not driving his car, Sergio can often be found taking a dip in his custom pool. What a life.

Scroll down to see Sergio the reptilian speed demon in action. And for more funny videos, follow the turtle on Instagram and TikTok.

One cute pet turtle named Sergio loves to speed around his house on his own tiny Hot Wheels car.

 

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A post shared by Kenny_james16 tiktok (@sergioturtle)

He manages to stick the car to the bottom of his shell using non-toxic Silly Putty.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kenny_james16 tiktok (@sergioturtle)

Occasionally Sergio takes his Hot Wheels car for a spin with no hands.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kenny_james16 tiktok (@sergioturtle)

And sometimes he even brings his favorite amphibian friend, Tubby the Toad, along for the ride.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kenny_james16 tiktok (@sergioturtle)

Sergio the Turtle: Instagram | TikTok
h/t: [Laughing Squid]

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