Maritime teen receives golden buzzer on Canada’s Got Talent

Maritime teen receives Howie Mandel's golden buzzer on Canada's Got Talent.

A 19-year-old singer-songwriter originally from the Abegweit First Nation on Prince Edward Island is capturing hearts across the country after receiving the Golden Buzzer on Canada’s Got Talent.

DeeDee Austin, who performed her original song “Buried Truth,” closed out Tuesday night’s episode with an emotional performance dedicated to her late great-grandmother.

“I got Howie Mandel’s Golden Buzzer,” Austin said in an interview with CTV’s Katie Kelly. “It’s super special. It’s super awesome.”

The Golden Buzzer sends contestants directly to the semifinals and includes a $25,000 prize.

“I’m going to be smart with the money,” said Austin. “I’m going to put it towards my career and I’m going to put it towards, you know, amplifying my voice and amplifying my story.”

Austin’s performance of “Buried Truth” struck an emotional chord with the celebrity judging panel, including Mandel and fellow Canadian icon Shania Twain. The song shares the story of her great-grandmother’s experience in the residential school system in Nova Scotia.

“Standing up on that stage performing ‘Buried Truth,’ I felt that my grandmother was with me the entire time,” Austin said. “I look up to her major.”

Mandel praised Austin for sharing her story, calling it something “Canadians need to face.”

Twain told Austin she had a “sweet soul” and a “sweet voice.”

“To take that moment and get feedback from real-life legends, it was like, wow, this is so incredible,” Austin said. “My phone started buzzing like crazy. Not only mine—Dad’s did, too!”