When Chrisyius Whitehead walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage, he was only five years old. Standing behind a full-sized drum set, the young performer immediately caught the attention of the judges and audience.
But the real surprise came when Chrisyius picked up his drumsticks and began to play.
His audition showed that impressive musical ability can come in a very small package. With confidence, energy, and a strong sense of rhythm, Chrisyius delivered a performance that earned praise from all four judges.
Meet Chrisyius Whitehead
Chrisyius Whitehead appeared on America’s Got Talent during Season 19 in 2024. At just five years old, he auditioned as a drummer and demonstrated a passion for percussion that stood out on the AGT stage.
His appearance was especially memorable because of the size difference between the young performer and the drum kit. Chrisyius had to perform behind an instrument setup that was much larger than he was, making the sight of him behind the drums even more striking.
Despite his age, he approached the audition with confidence and focused on the music.
A Powerful Drumming Performance
For his audition, Chrisyius performed to “Faith,” the song associated with Stevie Wonder and featuring Ariana Grande.
The performance began with Chrisyius settling into the rhythm before building into a much more energetic display of drumming. His timing, showmanship, and enthusiasm became the center of the audition.
The performance quickly demonstrated that this was more than a cute appearance from a young child. Chrisyius was there to perform, and he clearly enjoyed being behind the drums.
The audience responded enthusiastically as the performance continued.
Simon Cowell Calls Chrisyius “Brilliant”
After the performance, the judges shared their reactions.
Heidi Klum praised Chrisyius and said she could not believe he was only five years old. Sofia Vergara also highlighted how much he appeared to enjoy performing.
Simon Cowell took the praise a step further. After Howie Mandel described the performance as great, Cowell said he disagreed and called Chrisyius “brilliant.”
Cowell also praised the young drummer’s timing and showmanship.
For a five-year-old performer standing behind a full drum kit on one of television’s biggest talent shows, it was a memorable moment.
Four Yes Votes
Chrisyius received a “Yes” from all four judges, allowing him to move beyond the audition stage of the competition.
His performance became one of the memorable young-talent moments from the 2024 season, with his age making the drumming display particularly striking.
However, his journey did not continue all the way to the live shows. Chrisyius was later eliminated during the deliberations stage and was not selected for the quarterfinals.
Final Thoughts
Chrisyius Whitehead’s America’s Got Talent audition was a memorable example of how much musical talent can emerge at a very young age.
At just five years old, he took on a full drum kit, performed “Faith,” earned four yes votes, and received strong praise from the judges, including Simon Cowell calling him “brilliant.”
For viewers who enjoy discovering unexpected talent on AGT, Chrisyius’ audition is a performance worth revisiting.
Watch the original performance on YouTube to see the young drummer take the AGT stage for himself.
