There\u2019s always one big emotional moment that closes out each audition episode of \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent,\u201d and this week\u2019s moment belonged to Raleigh\u2019s 11-year-old violinist, Tyler Butler-Figueroa. Tyler\u2019s audition in week three of Season 14 of NBC\u2019s talent competition series went as well as it possibly could have, earning him a Golden Buzzer pass straight to the live shows, which start Aug. 13. Tyler busked on the streets of downtown Raleigh to earn money to go audition for the show. Just before Tyler took the stage, his mother, Kisua Butler-Figueroa, told him to go out and be strong. He was wearing a black suit and sneakers that lit up, and those flashy sneaks drew compliments from judge Julianne Hough. The judges asked Tyler why he started playing the violin, and he told them it was because he had been bullied. When Hough asked him if he knew why he was bullied, Tyler told her, \u201cIt\u2019s because I had cancer, and I almost died.\u201d Cue gasps from the audience, and then a pre-recorded clip of Tyler and his mom, telling more about his story. A cancer diagnosis, then bullying Tyler, now a student at Walnut Creek Elementary School in Raleigh, was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia when he was four-and-a-half-years-old. He underwent three years of chemotherapy, during which he lost his hair. In the NBC video, Tyler said the kids at school laughed at him and spread rumors that his cancer was contagious. Then he saw a flier for an after-school music program offering free violin lessons. Tyler started the lessons and practiced in his bedroom. His mother said once he started the classses, he was \u201cfull of sunshine and happy energy. It\u2019s like, oh my God, I got my son back.\u201d Tyler said on the video: \u201cWhen I play the violin, it helps me forget about all the bad stuff. I just didn\u2019t want to be the kid with cancer. So now I\u2019m the kid who plays the violin.\u201d Tyler\u2019s performance Before Tyler played a single note, the crowd loved him. When he started playing, the crowd went wild. He played Kelly Clarkson\u2019s \u201cStronger (What Doesn\u2019t Kill You),\u201d accompanied by some background music. He danced around the stage while playing \u2014 he\u2019s a natural performer \u2014 and the audience clapped along. When he finished playing, everyone \u2014 audience and judges \u2014 jumped to their feet for a standing ovation. Julianne Hough made eye contact with Tyler and made the \u201cheart\u201d symbol at him with her hands. \u201cI just wanted to commend you for taking something that is probably one of the hardest things that you\u2019ll ever have to go through and turning it around and finding something that brings you joy,\u201d Hough told him. AMERICA\u2019S GOT TALENT — \u201cAuditions 3\u201d Episode 1403 — Pictured: Tyler Butler-Figueroa — (Photo by: Trae Patton\/NBC) NBC Trae Patton\/NBC Judge Simon Cowell then chimed in. \u201cWow wow wow,\u201d Cowell said. \u201cHow are you feeling now?\u201d \u201cI\u2019m feeling really proud of myself,\u201d Tyler told him. Everyone\u2019s crying by now, including Tyler\u2019s mom from backstage. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind me asking, how is your health now?\u201d Cowell asked. \u201cI\u2019ve been in remission for almost four years,\u201d Tyler said, to more cheers. \u201cYou are an extraordinary young man,\u201d Cowell told him. \u201cWe hear too many stories about people being bullied, but most people are bullied because they\u2019re better than the people who bully them. You are such an amazing talent and amazing personality and I would like to say something on your behalf to the bullies.\u201d At that point, Cowell reached over and pushed the Golden Buzzer, which sends Tyler straight to the live shows (those start on Aug. 13). 11-year-old Tyler Butler-Figueroa of Raleigh gets the \u201cGolden Buzzer\u201d from judge Simon Cowell during his audition for NBC\u2019s \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent,\u201d which aired June 11, 2019. NBC Trae Patton\/NBC Tyler was in tears now, as gold confetti rained down around him. His mom was on stage hugging him and crying. Judge Gabrielle Union was crying. We are all crying. Cowell went onto the stage and spoke to Tyler as celebratory music played. \u201cYou\u2019re an amazing talent,\u201d Cowell said. \u201cAre you up for it? You\u2019re a winner, right?\u201d Tyler said \u201cYes\u201d and Cowell shook his hand. The crowd was now chanting his name. Tyler told the audience that he was \u201cvery proud and happy\u201d and Tyler\u2019s mom said it\u2019s \u201ca dream come true.\u201d It looks like Tyler\u2019s dream is just starting, though. Watch Tyler: The Live shows start Aug. 13 on NBC, but we\u2019re not sure yet exactly when Tyler will appear. For these shows, Tyler will need votes to advance.<\/p>\n