AFTER battling cancer for more than five years, America’s Got Talent star Jane Marczewski reportedly died at age 31.
The singer passed away on Sunday, after the disease spread to her lungs, spine, and liver, TMZ reported.
Macrzewski performed under the stage name Nightbirde, and she competed on the 16th season of America’s Got Talent.
The singer dropped out of the AGT finals, and shared the news on Instagram last August after revealing her health had deteriorated.
Show host Terry Crews shared a tribute to the star on Instagram:
“We are saddened to learn about @_nightbirde’s Passing. Our Condolences goes to her Closest Family & Friends in such of This difficult time. We Love you, Nightbirde,” he wrote.
Howie Mandel also shared a tribute to Macrzewski in a Twitter post on Monday:
“@_nightbirde was such a bright inspirational light in all our lives.we must continue to live and learn from her words and lyrics. As much as I feel horribly about her passing I feel lucky to to have met, heard and known her.”
Read our Nightbirde live blog for the latest news and updates…
What is Nightbirde’s song It’s Okay about?
In 2021, Nightbirde told Metro.co.uk about the meaning and inspiration behind her AGT audition song It’s Okay.
She said: “My life has, honestly, just impossibly tragic over the last few years. I have gone through cancer three times.
“At my worst, I was given three to six months to live and a 2% chance of survival.
“On top of all that, I then realize my marriage is ending. The next thing I know, I’m going through a divorce while fighting this disease.”
Nightbirde’s dramatic weight loss
The artist, whose real name was Jane Marczewski, detailed her experience battling the disease on social media, even revealing that she got down to just 85 pounds at one point.
She had previously revealed that she’d lost a lot of weight during her cancer battle and had gotten down to just 85 pounds.
Nightbirde posted a photo in cream overalls and a maroon tank top.
She smiled, holding on to an IV pole, and captioned the snap: “Ever seen 85 pounds look so good????”
‘A turn for the worse,’ continued
Nightbirde added: “Since my audition, my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention.
“I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of AGT. Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it—but we knew that already.”
She concluded: “Thank you for all your support, it means the world to me. Stay with me, I’ll be better soon. I’m planning my future, not my legacy. Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.”
The singer would then reflect on her experience while starring in the talent competition, saying: “It’s so hard for me to not be on the @agt stage for the finals this week.
“I bet you never saw someone win so hard and lose so hard at the same time. This isn’t how the story was supposed to go.”
‘A turn for the worse’
Nightbirde opened up about her diagnosis during her memorable audition on AGT.
Her incredible performance moved Simon Cowell who issued her the Golden Buzzer, giving her a ticket straight to the live shows.
Due to her declining health, she unfortunately had to step down from the AGT finals, revealing the difficult decision in an Instagram post.
“Sharing my heart with the world on AGT has been an honor and a dream come true. My point of view this summer has been astounding.
“What a miracle that the pain I’ve walked through can be reworked into beauty that makes people all over the world open their eyes wider.”
How long was Nightbirde battling cancer?
Jane Marczewski had been battling cancer for four years before her death.
She previously revealed she had a “two percent chance of survival,” disclosing that cancer had spread to her lungs, spine, and liver.
“But 2% isn’t 0%,” she wrote in another social media post. “Two percent is something and I wish people knew how amazing it is.”
Who is Jeremy Claudio?
A musician himself, Jeremy Claudio was born on August 8, 1989.
The Claudio family hails from New York, and he has two sisters: Patti and Susai.
He was known as the drummer and frontman for Nashville-based band, Tiger Drive, but the group hasn’t been active on social media in over two years.
Who was Nightbirde married to?
Jane Marczewski and her ex, Jeremy Claudio, reportedly tied the knot in July of 2015.
They formally separated in 2020, and Jane moved from Tennessee to California following the split.
While the two were still married, Jane performed under her married name – Jane Claudio – with Jeremy as her producer.
Who is Dustin Tavella?
Dustin Tavella is a magician who aims to inspire audiences by using magic to connect with people from all different walks of life.
He won the 2021 season of America’s Got Talent.
Tavella resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with his wife, Kari, and their adopted son, Xander.
In recent years he and his wife have been involved in homeless ministry and a crisis pregnancy ministry.
Who won AGT in 2021?
Dustin Tavella took home a $1million prize and will have the opportunity to headline a residency at Luxor in Las Vegas.
He impressed the judges during the finale on September 14, 2021.
Simon Cowell said: “You are a good story teller.”
“I think you just gave yourself a shot on winning this game,” said Howie.
Earlier in the competition, Tavella received a standing ovation from the judges and the audience following a special card trick.
The trick incorporated his two young adopted sons – who are biological siblings – on stage, accompanied by his wife, Kari.
Who were the 10 finalists in AGT 2021?
The top 10 finalists were:
Opera singer Victory Brinker, nine years old from Pennsylvania
Magician Léa Kyle, 25, from France
Northwell Health Nurse Choir from New York
Popstar Brooke Simpson, 30, from North Carolina
Comedian Josh Blue, 42, from Colorado
Singer Jimmie Herrod, 30, from Oregon
World Taekwondo Demonstration Team from South Korea
Aerialist Aidan Bryant, 16, from Virginia
Comedian Gina Brillon, 41, from New York
Nightbirde was recently in good spirits, conclusion
When Chris mentioned if she felt “comfortable to dream,” Nightbirde opened up: “I think life sometimes is a game of ‘choose your pain’ so the pain of continuing or the pain of giving up.
“So, the pain of continuing there is a lot more uncertainty that way, but I think the pain of giving up is so much worse.”
Nightbirde was recently in good spirits, continued
“It’s a lot to process the highest highs and the lowest lows of my life all happening at the same time and all of this playing out in front of millions of people is really – it’s a lot to carry.
“But it’s also such an honor because the whole world is carrying their own weight and we get to learn how to do this together.”
Nightbirde was recently in good spirits
In November of last year, the performer went on CNN to give an update on her cancer battle.
While speaking to former host Chris Cuomo, Nightbirde revealed her latest diagnosis and opened up about the “pain of giving up.”
She said: “I did get a scan result back and a bunch of stuff that was there has now disappeared and a bunch of the really big stuff has gone down in size. We’re on the way.
Fans reactions to Nightbirde quitting AGT
Twitter users sent Nightbirde heartwarming messages after she announced she was leaving the competition.
One fan wrote: “You inspire me everyday keep going!
Another added: “I would be remiss if not to shoutout @_nightbirde tonight. If she could’ve continued in the competition she would be performing tonight without a question.
“Will always be a great regret that we weren’t able to see her live. #AGTFinals #AGT.”
A third said: “Because we need to need you! We love you! Your words, when they come out of you, touch our souls. Sending healing energy, and love right back to you!”
Nightbirde withdrew from AGT competition, continued
“I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of AGT.
“Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it – but we knew that already.”
Nightbirde concluded: “Thank you for all your support, it means the world to me. Stay with me, I’ll be better soon. I’m planning my future, not my legacy. Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.”
Nightbirde withdrew from AGT competition
In August last year, the singer wrote alongside a black and white photo of herself: “Sharing my heart with the world on AGT has been an honor and a dream come true. My point of view this summer has been astounding.
“What a miracle that the pain I’ve walked through can be reworked into beauty that makes people all over the world open their eyes wider.”
She continued: “Since my audition, my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention.
Who was Nightbirde? continued
Nightbirde instantly won over an emotional Simon who honored her with the coveted Golden Buzzer, while the other judges and the crowd gave her a standing ovation and rapturous applause.
The entertainer became an overnight sensation after her incredible audition with a video of her performance racking up over 30 million views on YouTube.
Who was Nightbirde?
Nightbirde, whose real name was Jane Marczewski was known as an American singer and songwriter.
After sending in an audition tape to AGT the 31-year-old was invited on the show and wowed Simon Cowell and his fellow judges with her moving performance of an original song called It’s Okay.
Chris Cuomo shares tribute
The former CNN host posted a tweet, honoring Nightbirde.
“@_nightbirde was a gift. To me to you to us,” Cuomo wrote.
“She showed strength despite weakness…she worshiped the present ability to love and be loved. I will live her lesson best I can. Rest in peace, beautiful friend.”
@_nightbirde was a gift. To me to you to us. She showed strength despite weakness…she worshiped the present ability to love and be loved. I will live her lesson best I can. Rest in peace,
beautiful friend. #nightbirde
— Christopher C. Cuomo (@ChrisCuomo) February 21, 2022
How did AGT film during Covid?
Good Housekeeping received a statement from an America’s Got Talent representative who explained that the audience wasn’t entirely “live.”
“AGT filmed with a limited audience and the producers figured out a hybrid solution that combined a live audience with archival footage to bring the energy of our audience to viewers at home,” it explained.
“The live audience’s sentiment and reactions served as a guide to utilize archival footage of audiences from previous seasons and incorporate it into each episode.”
It also pointed out that production followed safety guidelines, CDC guidance, and state and local orders to pull off filming in the time of Covid-19 while still protecting judges, audience members, and the contestants.
Did AGT have a live audience in 2021?
Mask mandates in California for the Covid-19 pandemic remained in place through the audition rounds of AGT, which were filmed in March and April of 2021.
The show found a clever way of appearing to have an audience while still keeping everyone safe.
During the end credits for the show, this statement is listed: “Due to COVID health restrictions, visuals of audience featured in this episode included real and virtual shots, as well as shots from past seasons. The use of these visuals was for creative purposes only and did not impact the outcome of the judging.”
Where was AGT filmed last year?
The show appeared to feature a maskless audience at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, where the show was filmed in 2021.
Reality Titbit reported that the venue has a 3,000-seat capacity.
Past AGT judges
The original judges of America’s Got Talent were David Hasselhoff, Brandy Norwood, and Piers Morgan when the show began in 2006.
Since then, a slew of famous faces have taken their seats on the judging panel.
The full list includes: David Hasselhoff, Brandy Norwood, Piers Morgan, Julianne Hough, Gabrielle Union, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, Simon Cowell, Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Sharon Osbourne, and Mel B.
America’s Got Talent: the host
The current host of America’s Got Talent is actor Terry Crews.
Past hosts included Tyra Banks, Nick Cannon, Jerry Springer, and Regis Philbin.
America’s Got Talent: the judges
The judges who appeared in the 16th season of the show are:
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