In the 2025 season of Canada’s Got Talent, a moment of pure artistic magic unfolded when Nicolina, a young singer from Vaughan, Ontario, took to the stage and delivered a performance so compelling that it earned her the coveted Golden Buzzer from host Lindsay Ell — a moment that ignited social buzz and re-energized viewers of the show.
Canada’s Got Talent (CGT) — the Canadian edition of the global Got Talent franchise — held its fifth season in 2025, with host Lindsay Ell guiding aspiring performers through auditions that showcased some of the most diverse and remarkable talents from across the country. This season featured judges Kardinal Offishall, Katherine Ryan, Shania Twain, and Howie Mandel, with Lindsay Ell returning for her fourth year as host.
What Is the Golden Buzzer?
For those unfamiliar, the Golden Buzzer in the Got Talent franchise is a powerful tool: when pressed by a judge or host, it sends an act directly to the live semi-finals, fast-tracking them past the standard audition and selection stages. While Golden Buzzer moments often generate emotional reactions, only a few truly unforgettable ones — where the performance matches the spectacle — leave a lasting imprint on viewers.
In Canada’s Got Talent 2025, Nicolina’s performance was one such unforgettable moment.
Nicolina’s Audition: A Voice That Stopped the Show
When Nicolina stepped onto the CGT stage, the audience and judges were unsure what to expect. Her reputation for a soulful voice and heartfelt delivery had preceded her — she had previously gained attention through her artistry and growing online presence, including a significant social media following.
What unfolded next was remarkable. As Nicolina began to sing, her voice immediately captivated everyone in the theatre and watching at home. Her “angelic voice,” as the Canada’s Got Talent upload described it, carried pitch-perfect control, emotional nuance, and a rare purity — the kind of performance that makes a judge sit up and take notice.
According to the show’s official upload of the audition, Lindsay Ell — herself a celebrated country artist with a deep musical sensibility — was so moved that she hit the Golden Buzzer for Nicolina. The resulting cascade of confetti wasn’t just symbolic of advancement in the competition; it was a visual celebration of an artist whose voice transcended expectation and stirred genuine emotion.
Although precise details of the song she performed haven’t been widely archived in written press, the YouTube posting and subsequent clips highlight the intensity of the moment — cries from the audience, emotional judges, and a standing ovation after the final note. It was one of those rare audition scenes that defines an entire season.
Why This Moment Mattered
A Golden Buzzer moment is special by design, but Nicolina’s went beyond the mechanics of the show — it was meaningful in several distinct ways:
1. Emotional Impact on the Judges and Audience
Host Lindsay Ell made it clear that Nicolina’s performance wasn’t just technically proficient — it was emotionally resonant. This is why Ell chose to use her sole Golden Buzzer opportunity on her. Such moments are reserved for auditions that make judges feel something deeper than appreciation for raw talent — they spark connection and empathy.
This emotional resonance translated directly to viewers. Clips from the audition circulated widely online, with many describing Nicolina’s voice as “angelic,” “haunting,” and “breathtaking.” In a talent show landscape crowded with impressive acts from dancers, magicians, and novelty performers, a pure vocal moment that truly moves people stands out.
Nicolina’s Journey Through the Competition
Earning the Golden Buzzer was a pivotal achievement, but it was not the end of Nicolina’s journey on Canada’s Got Talent — it was only the beginning.
After the auditions, Nicolina went on to perform in the elimination rounds and eventually reached the finals of the competition. During the eliminations, she delivered another standout performance — this time an original song — proving that her vocal talent extended into artistry and interpretation.
According to competition records, Nicolina ultimately placed fourth overall in Canada’s Got Talent Season 5. Her advancement to the finals highlighted the audience’s and judges’ continued support of her as an artist with both technical skill and emotional depth.
Impact Beyond the Stage
Nicolina’s Golden Buzzer moment had ripple effects beyond the show. With a significant online following (reported to be over 300,000 followers on Instagram), her audition elevated her visibility even further.
In an era when talent competitions and social media intersect, memorable performances like this serve dual roles: they entertain, and they serve as launching pads for artistic careers. Clips from Nicolina’s audition have been shared widely across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, enabling her voice to reach audiences far beyond the CGT viewership. Some fans have connected with her music through streaming platforms, further expanding her audience.
The Legacy of a Golden Buzzer Performance
While the title of Canada’s Got Talent ultimately went to singer Jacob Lewis in 2025, Nicolina’s Golden Buzzer moment remains one of the most memorable highlights of the season. Her performance encapsulated why audiences love talent shows: the thrill of discovering raw, heartfelt talent, and the joy of witnessing a life-changing opportunity unfold in real time.
What makes Nicolina’s moment especially powerful is its reminder that music — and particularly singing — remains one of the most universally resonant forms of art. Whether it’s pop, country, soul, or original composition, a voice that can move a room is timeless. Few aspects of television capture that magic like a Golden Buzzer moment.
In the landscape of Got Talent history — from America’s Got Talent to Britain’s Got Talent to Canada’s Got Talent — performances that evoke that kind of lasting memory are rare. Nicolina’s angelic voice was exactly that sort of moment: unforgettable, deeply felt, and a testament to the power of genuine talent.
