Mike Yung was a singer act from Season 12 of America's Got Talent. He was eliminated in the Semifinals. Mike returned for AGT: The Champions 2 where he was eliminated in the Preliminaries.
Background
Mike Yung (born Michael Young) is a viral star. A video of him singing the Righteous Brothers’ "Unchained Melody" has been viewed millions of times. From morning to night, Yung makes his living singing in the subway. Many New Yorkers are familiar with his presence at the station on 23rd and Sixth Avenue, though not all of them may know his name. But years before that ever began, Yung was signed to a label, under the tutelage of producer (and “Santa Claus Is a Black Man” writer and future “Power of Love” co-writer) Teddy Vann.
"I met him at Harlequin Studios in 1975, when I was 15, and he got me a contract with RCA Records in 1975 with a guy named Ron Moseley," Yung says. "Then I went to CBS, at 18. Then I got another contract with Jim Tyrell, who started a company called T-Electric. He signed Etta James, he signed Love Committee, and he signed Mike Yung."
Tyrell, a former vice-president at CBS Records (now Sony), founded T-Electric Records in 1979. The label released Etta James’ album Changes in 1980, and according to Yung, his own album was next on the docket. But the moment never came. "Something went wrong, and Tyrell didn’t get to do my album before he went bankrupt," he says, adding that Vann never was able to help him secure another deal. "Nothing came of that. But you continue to do what you can do to pay your bills and keep your head from going insane."
For Yung, what he could do—what he could always do—was sing. Following a brief stint working for the city's Parks and Recreation Department, the near-lifelong New Yorker has paid his bills with music for the past two decades, both by busking soul and gospel standards and singing in several bands. "I sing with a band called Dejá Blue, my band is called Majestic K-Funk, and also a group called Whispers and Sounds," Yung says, counting them off on his fingers. "It keeps you going. People I know, that I've been with, have been doing it just as long as me. You have to love what you do automatically, because what I do is not easy. I sing against trains for four or five hours." [1]
Audition
Mike Yung's audition in Episode 1206 consisted of singing Righteous Brothers’ "Unchained Melody" while his guitarist Shunta Sakamoto accompanied him. Although Mel B voted "No", Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell voted "Yes", sending Mike to the Judge Cuts.
Judge Cuts
Mike Yung's Judge Cuts performance in Episode 1209 consisted of singing Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come". Simon Cowell gave him a standing ovation. Mike's performance was strong enough for the judges to send him to the Quarterfinals instead of Herbie Russ.
Quarterfinals
Mike Yung's Week 3 Quarterfinals performance in Episode 1215 consisted of singing Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud". Howie Mandel, Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell all gave him standing ovations. Mike received enough votes to advance to the Semifinals in Episode 1216 along with Chase Goehring.
Semifinals
Mike Yung's Week 1 Semifinals performance in Episode 1217 consisted of singing Solomon Burke's "Don't Give Up on Me". Mel B, Heidi Klum, and Simon Cowell gave him standing ovations. Mike did not receive enough votes to advance to the Finals in Episode 1218, eliminating him from the competition instead of Darci Lynne.
The Champions 2 Preliminary
Mike Yung's Preliminary performance in Episode TC201 consisted of singing an original song "I'm a Dreamer" he wrote with Martin Garrix. Heidi Klum gave him a standing ovation. Mike did not receive enough votes from the Superfans to advance to the Semifinals, eliminating him from the competition along with Eddie Williams instead of Dania Diaz.
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