Her song and story inspired the judges and brought the audience to their feet. But it wasn’t enough to get Southwest Florida’s Sarah Hardwig to the live rounds on “America’s Got Talent.”

On its July 28 “Live Acts Revealed” episode, the TV talent show announced the contestants who will go straight to the live episodes or get a second-chance audition during two weeks’ worth of judges callbacks. In all, 44 people will perform in the live episodes — but Hardwig won’t be one of them.

The episode didn’t name Hardwig or show her on camera. Instead, it mostly focused on the contestants who will be moving on.

But in a video posted to Facebook and Instagram, Hardwig thanked her fans and encouraged them to share and pre-save the link for her upcoming single.

“I appreciate all of the love and support that y’all have shown me for my ‘America’s Got Talent’ audition,” Hardwig said in the video. “Now, I know that y’all are disappointed that I did not make the live shows, but I have a special announcement: I will be releasing a new single called ‘Breaking Away’ on Aug. 14.”

Sarah Hardwig’s powerful ‘AGT’ audition

Sarah Hardwig’s inspiring story and powerful voice won the blind musician a standing ovation during her July 21 audition on “America’s Got Talent” and gushing praise from the show’s judges. The 23-year-old got “yeses” from all four judges after singing and playing guitar on the Lainey Wilson hit “Heart Like a Truck.”

Judge Howie Mandel said he loved Hardwig’s message and energy.

“That was beautiful and heartwarming and you are the epitome of resilience to show up here and to sing your heart out and to move three or four thousand strangers in this room — and hopefully millions of people at home…” he said. “This show is about inspiration, and you’re inspiring.”

Spice Girl Mel B offered some criticism and said she wanted Hardwig to go “even bigger” on her next song. But she was impressed by Hardwig’s pipes. “You’ve got a really good voice, young lady,” she said. “Your trills and the way you control your voice is on-point.”

The judges were all impressed with Hardwig’s story. The 2021 Naples High graduate was born blind due to a genetic eye condition.

“Music has always played an important role in my life,” she told the judges before her performance. “And I want to prove to the world that — regardless of whether you have a disability or not — you can do absolutely anything that you set your mind to.”

Sarah Hardwig’s Southwest Florida history, ongoing music career

Before moving to Nashville in 2021, Hardwig was a familiar face in Southwest Florida. She’d been making music in Naples and Fort Myers since she was a little girl.

She sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” at baseball games with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox. She also performed at Lee County’s annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest and as part of children’s vocal ensembles for Opera Naples and The Naples Philharmonic.

At 5 months old, Hardwig was diagnosed with Leber’s Congenital Amaurosis, a condition that left her visually impaired. But Hardwig says she’d never let her disability hold her back.

She graduated from Nashville’s Belmont University in 2025 with a degree in songwriting. Now she’s working on her music career, recording music and performing at popular Nashville venues like The Bluebird Cafe, the Tin Roof and the Listening Room Cafe.

“I play songwriter rounds,” she told the News-Press/Naples Daily News last week. “I write songs and all that stuff. I’m trying to make music my career.”

Charles Runnells covers arts and entertainment for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email [email protected]. Follow or message him on Facebook (@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells).