Archie Charles Williams is a 59-year-old singer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. When he was 22 years old, he was wrongly convicted of a crime he didn't commit and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. He spent the next 37 years locked away before finally being released in 2019. The main thing that got Archie through this time was music. He joined the "church" choir in the prison and found comfort. He even formed his own band with other inmates, saying, "When I sung, people would come to listen. They loved it and wanted to hear me. It brought me joy. Music made me feel connected to the world."
Audition
Archie Williams's audition in Episode 1501 consited of singing Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me". Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Simon Cowell all voted "Yes", sending Archie to the next round. Simon told Archie his audition was one he would "never forget for the whole of his life".
Wrongly-Incarcerated Singer Archie Williams Delivers Unforgettable Song - America's Got Talent 2020
Audition
Judge Cuts
Archie Williams automatically advanced to the Quarterfinals without performing in Episode 1508.
Archie Williams Wrongfully Convicted Man Pours His HEART Out With "Love's In Need of Love" WOW!
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Archie Williams' Semifinals performance in Episode 1517 consisted of singing Westlife's "Flying Without Wings" dedicated to his daughter. Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara all gave him standing ovations. Archie finished in 4th, 5th or 6th place in America's Vote. In the Dunkin' Save, he received fewer online votes than Alan Silva. In the Judges' Choice, Howie Mandel did not vote for him but Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum did, advancing to the Finals in Episode 1518 instead of Malik DOPE.
Archie Williams Sings an EMOTIONAL Rendition of "Flying Without Wings" - America's Got Talent 2020
Archie Williams Sings "Blackbird" by The Beatles - America's Got Talent 2020
Final
Finale
For the finale in Episode 1522, Archie Williams sang "Everything You Touch is a Song" with Marvin Winans. He did not receive enough votes to enter the Top 5, eliminating him from the competition instead of Brandon Leake.
