Chrisyius Whitehead, a 5-year-old drumming prodigy from Sopchoppy, stunned both the judges and audience on “America’s Got Talent” with his incredible performance.
Standing beside a drum set taller than himself, Chrisyius was dressed in a cream button-down shirt, a chestnut vest, and a black bow tie dotted with flowers. Unable to be seen while sitting, he stood in position, raising one arm in the air to signal the start.
The performance began with gentle taps and then erupted into an energetic and rhythmic drumming that had the crowd cheering. Chrisyius performed “Faith” by Stevie Wonder featuring Ariana Grande on Tuesday’s episode on NBC, earning a standing ovation from the judges. Simon Cowell, known for his tough critiques, expressed his admiration by raising his fists in triumph and praising the young drummer.
“How did that feel?” Cowell asked once the applause subsided. “It felt good,” Chrisyius replied.
The other celebrity judges, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara, also lauded Chrisyius, clearly impressed. Klum marveled at his skill, saying, “You’re better than most adults trying to do this. I can’t believe you are only five years old. Do you train every day to be that good?” To which Chrisyius responded with a polite, “Yes, ma’am.”
Cowell, initially seeming to disagree with Mandel’s praise, surprised everyone by calling the performance “brilliant.” He highlighted Chrisyius’ showmanship and passion for drumming, comparing him favorably to his own son who also plays the drums. “Being a great drummer means you are the coolest person on the planet right now,” Cowell added.
Chrisyius shared that he has been drumming since he was a year old. If he were to win the show’s $1 million grand prize, he said he would help the homeless and others in need, as well as buy himself 200 bags of slime and squishy toys.
Locally, in the Big Bend area, Chrisyius has performed at events like the Downtown GetDown and has become a social media sensation on TikTok.
Backstage, his parents, Chris and Dawandrea Whitehead, watched with pride and tears of joy as their son showcased his talent on national television. Dawandrea, visibly emotional, kept her hands cupped over her mouth throughout the performance.
Afterward, she expressed her gratitude for the community’s support in a heartfelt post: “Thank you to everyone in the community for the outpouring of love and support for our son Chrisyius! My husband and I really appreciate it and are so thankful to God for his many blessings.”
