“Major Déjà Vu”: Adam Lambert Reunites with Simon Cowell for High-Flying “Chandelier” on AGT: All-Stars Finale
Taking the stage for the season finale of NBC’s America’s Got Talent: All-Stars, Adam Lambert delivered an arena-sized vocal showcase of Sia’s pop epic “Chandelier,” providing the musical centerpiece for a gravity-defying performance alongside acrobatics troupe the Bello Sisters and 18-year-old aerialist Aidan Bryant.
The performance aired while Lambert was overseas in London promoting his covers album High Drama—which features his own studio cut of the Sia track—marking an affectionate on-screen reunion with executive producer and judge Simon Cowell, who famously critiqued Lambert during his breakthrough run on Season 8 of American Idol.
Mid-Air Collision and Aerial Triumph
While the performance came across seamlessly on television, the staging featured high-stakes logistical hurdles overhead:
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Taping Mishap: Bryant—who initially competed on Season 16 of AGT in 2021 before returning for the All-Stars tournament—admitted that rehearsals were anything but smooth. During the very first recorded take, the teenager miscalculated a swing and flew directly into Lambert mid-song.
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Inspired by P!nk: Shaking off the collision, Bryant completed a flawless second pass suspended above the stage. He noted that his ultimate dream remains performing alongside pop star P!nk, whose acrobatic aerial work originally inspired him to teach himself the discipline at an early age.
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Taking the Crown: The performance served as a fitting victory lap for Bryant, who was crowned the ultimate winner of America’s Got Talent: All-Stars by the end of the broadcast.
Simon Cowell’s Glowing Praise: “One of the Nicest People in Show Business”
Following the performance, the exchange between Lambert and Cowell highlighted the warmth and mutual respect built over more than a decade since their Idol days:
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The Flashback: Greeting Cowell from center stage, Lambert laughed:“I’m having major déjà vu. This is too weird.”
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A Change of Heart: Setting aside his trademark acerbic persona, Cowell offered glowing praise for Lambert’s character and international career with Queen:“This time I’m going to be nice because, Adam, you are honestly one of the nicest people in show business I’ve ever met. Such a star, I’m so proud of everything you’ve achieved.”
A Star-Studded Finale Roster
Lambert’s collaboration with Bryant and the Bello Sisters anchored an eclectic night of guest appearances on the finale broadcast, which also featured performances by R&B icon Babyface and alt-rock band Weezer.
