During the quarterfinals of the 12th season of America’s Got Talent reality show competition, singer Johnny Manuel’s performance provoked a standing ovation from the quartet of judges.

Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandell all stood to recognize the performer’s brilliant rendition of “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going” from the Tony-winning musical Dreamgirls. Singer Manuel hails from Flint, Michigan. Though he signed a recording contract when he was 14 years old, he was dropped from the label just a couple years later. Now, the 28-year-old is forging his way on NBC’s talent show.

He auditioned with Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.”

According to ET Online, Cowell told Manuel after his performance, “If I was producing a Broadway show right now, and I was looking for that big male diva vocal lead, it would be you, Johnny.”

The results show from the August 22 quarterfinals airs August 23 at 8 PM ET on NBC. This will determine if Manuel continues on to the semifinals.