Not going to lie, it’s not often that something makes me cry so hard, feel inspired, and want to hug someone all at the same time. Matt Mauser‘s audition for America’s Got Talent did just that.
Matt lost his wife, Christina, in the same helicopter crash that took the life of Kobe and Gianna Bryant in January of 2020. I can’t even begin to imagine his pain, nor the pain of his children.
Nor can I imagine the strength that it took to audition. He started his audition by saying, “On January 26, 2020, I lost my wife, in the same helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant.”
Christina was a basketball coach and was on the flight, heading to a tournament. When she passed, Matt‘s focus immediately went to his children. He knew that his wife would want, “me to carry on, and she would want our kids to have happy lives.”
So why did he audition and what was he hoping he would get out of it?
“I’d like to make sure that my children see that, in spite of the grief that we’ve been through this year, that that grief is not going to define who we are as a family. And that my children see that you have to find joy in life and you have to continue.”
“If this can in any way help my children see that you have to chase your dreams, then I’ll take it,” he added when answering the judges.
Matt sang Phil Collins’, “Against All Odds,” and it will have you feeling all of the emotions. See his audition below.
