Lindsey Stirling was a violinist from Season 5 of America's Got Talent. She was eliminated in the Quarterfinals.
Background[]
Raised in a Mormon community in Arizona, Lindsey studied classical music rigorously as a teenager. Lindsey’s love for the violin would not let go, and it became a comfort throughout her struggle with an eating disorder during her early adulthood. Through this passion, Lindsey has created a music world where the romance of Celtic folk music and modern classical meet the infectious energy of dance and electronica.
On stage, Stirling moves with the grace of a ballerina but works the crowd into a frenzy, “dropping the beat” like a rave fairy. Stirling is the model of a modern independent recording artist, with a symbiotic relationship with her fans. She is famed for taking “requests” and has recorded unique versions of the themes from “Phantom Of The Opera” and “Game Of Thrones”, the gameerfan’ named Phelb 1
Audition[]
Lindsey Stirling's audition in Episode 510 consisted of playing the violin in a hip-hop style of "Right Round" by Flo Rida, ft. Ke$ha. Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel all voted "Yes," sending Lindsey to the Vegas Round.
Vegas Round[]
Lindsey Stirling was one of the Judges' Favorites in the Vegas Round. She was sorted into the "Dance Acts" category. Her performance in Episode 511 consisted of performing a hip-hop piece on the violin while dancing. Her audition was strong enough for the judges to send her to the Quarterfinals along with Wreckless.
Quarterfinals[]
Lindsey Stirling's Quarterfinals performance in Episode 519 consisted of dancing and playing the violin to Taio Cruz's "Break Your Heart" and Ke$ha's "Tik Tok." Piers Morgan buzzed the act. Piers felt while he liked the routine, he felt Lindsey needs to be a world-class violinist. Sharon felt Lindsey needs to be with a group. Howie agreed with the other two judges. She did not receive enough votes to finish in at least fourth or fifth place in America's Vote, eliminating her from the competition in Episode 520 along with Da Maniacs, instead of Taylor Mathews.
After the Show[]
Being voted off “America’s Got Talent” turned out to be what she considers the best thing that’s ever happened to her. Rejection simply strengthened Stirling’s resolve to be herself. “The same reasons I was told I wouldn’t succeed are the reasons people travel hundreds of miles to see me now,” she laughs. “Because it’s different. Because it’s something you haven’t seen before…” Since the show, Lindsey has flourished as an artist.
A classically trained violinist from Gilbert, AZ, Lindsey has entered a futurist world of electronic big beats and animation, leaping through the music industry with over 675 million views on YouTube, Billboard chart-topping hits and sold out tours worldwide. Lindsey’s self-titled debut album featured twelve original tracks; including the viral piece “Crystallize,” which has racked up over 97 million YouTube views. The album has sold over 350,000 copies in the US without the backing of a major label, and has gone platinum in Germany and gold in Poland and Switzerland. The album reached number one on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Chart and the Billboard Classical Album Chart and also peaked at #22 on the Billboard Top 200. On April 29th, 2014 Lindsey released her new album Shatter Me, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart, her highest charting album to date. The album features 12 new songs written by Lindsey and includes collaborations with lead singer Lzzy Hale from the Grammy winning band Halestorm and The Voice runner-up Dia Frampton of Meg & Dia. “I really dug deep and poured my heart into Shatter Me,” said Lindsey. “Everything from the artwork to the music shares a cohesive message that I hope will inspire others to push their own boundaries.” 2
Lindsey Stirling made a guest appearance in Season 9 of America's Got Talent in Episode 912 performing her song "Shatter Me" with Lzzy Hale.
In December 2015, Lindsey was listed in Forbes' list of highest-earning YouTube stars at number 4, with $6 million in gross revenue from YouTube alone. Lindsey was the highest female on the list, and the only AGT alumnus on the list. 3
Her original track "Roundtable Rival" was used by Season 12 contestant Bello Nock during his Quarterfinals performance. It was also used by Season 16 act UniCircle Flow during their audition.
Lindsey was a contestant on Season 25 of Dancing with the Stars, being the first AGT contestant to compete on the show. She finished in 2nd place.
Lindsey returned as a guest performer in Season 13 of America's Got Talent in Episode 1322. She, alongside finalist Brian King Joseph, played her song "Roundtable Rival" while Duo Transcend performed tricks on the trapeze. She returned once again in Episode TC207 performing her new single "Aurora" with Silhouettes. She returned in Episode 1614 as a guest performer in a music/magic mash-up act with Shin Lim and in Episode AS08 in a collaboration with Power Duo.
Trivia[]
- Lindsey is the first known act who charted on the Billboard Hot 100 after their time on the show. Her cover of Hallelujah peaked at #81 on the chart dated January 9 2016.[1]
- Season 19 dance group Sabrina used "Roundtable Revival" for their Auditions performance and “The Arena” for their Quarterfinals performance.
