Preacher Lawson

Preacher Lawson is a stand-up comedian act from Season 12 of America's Got Talent.

Background
Preacher Lawson was born In Portland, Oregon, but raised for most of his adolescence in Memphis, Tennessee. He moved 20 times before age 10, but if you asked him what city he was from, he would say Orlando, Florida because there, he grew as a comedian.

Growing up switching schools all of the time, he had to learn how to adapt. Everywhere he'd go, he would learn about different people and different cultures, but he noticed the one universal language everyone had in common was laughter. Through laughter, he spoke and warmed up to most people. Even when he wasn't the funniest, he was still the loudest.

Preacher started writing jokes when he was 16 for about a year, then decided to perform for the first time at age 17 as a bet with his mother. He considered giving this performance the best decision of his life.

Preacher has been blessed enough to meet a few idols of his. He has opened up for many well-known comedians. He won the 2015 Funniest Comedian In Florida and the 2016 Seattle International Comedy Competition.

His advice to others: "Don't Follow Your Dreams. Lead Them." 

Audition
Preacher Lawson's audition in Episode 1201 consisted of telling jokes about having a motorcycle and a neighbor telling him about her car flipping over. After the set ended, Simon Cowell requested he tell another joke. Preacher then joked about his grandma not being afraid to die when driving and being religious. Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon all voted "Yes", sending Preacher to the Judge Cuts.

Judge Cuts
Preacher Lawson's Judge Cuts performance in Episode 1209 consisted of telling jokes about being catfished by a girl who actually had a limp. Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Simon Cowell gave him standing ovations. Preacher's performance was strong enough for the judges to send him to the Quarterfinals instead of Daniel Ferguson.

Quarterfinals
Preacher Lawson's Week 1 Quarterfinals performance in Episode 1211 consisted of telling jokes about the world's fastest clapper, his struggle with big smart phones, and using a photo of himself as his phone's screensaver. Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Simon Cowell gave him standing ovations. Preacher received enough votes to advance to the Semifinals in Episode 1212 instead of The Singing Trump and Puddles Pity Party.

Semifinals
Preacher Lawson's Week 1 Semifinals performance in Episode 1217 consisted of telling jokes about being single, being ugly as a kid, host Tyra Banks having a huge forehead, having big lips, and playing around with his four-year-old cousin. Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell all gave him standing ovations. Preacher received enough votes to advance to the Finals in Episode 1218 instead of DaNell Daymon & Greater Works.

Finals
Preacher Lawson's Finals performance in Episode 1221 consisted of jooking about his encounter with a naked man dancing on a trashcan that he met walking home. Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Simon Cowell gave him standing ovations.