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Where Is America's Got Talent Crooner Sal "The Voice" Valentinetti Now?
After his unforgettable Golden Buzzer win on America's Got Talent, Sal Valentinetti has stayed true to his roots — and still keeps in touch with Heidi Klum.
When Sal Valentinetti belted out his rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” on the America’s Got Talent stage during the Season 11 auditions, the crowd went wild for the singer’s velvety voice. The star moment earned him the nickname “The Voice” and led to an unforgettable Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum, where he choked up and said, “Tonight is the first day of the rest of my life.”
The classic crooner, then just 20, received standing ovations from the Judges all the way through to the Finals. Though he placed 5th in the competition, the lovable Italian-American from Long Island is still a fan favorite and has been named one of Klum’s most memorable moments.
When asked about her favorite Golden Buzzers, Klum told NBC Insider in September, “I love Sal 'The Voice.' He was one of my Golden Buzzers. I love him. I still see him sometimes when he performs here in California.”
Where is Sal “The Voice” Valentinetti now?
The good-hearted singer has come a long way from his pizza-delivery days on Long Island. After releasing an EP and two albums, he embarked on a tour in 2021 accompanied by a big band orchestra and longtime collaborator-singer Dave Damiani.
Criss-crossing the U.S., from Boca Raton to Philadelphia, Valentinetti performed classic Rat Pack covers and his own jazzy originals from his album, Little Valentine, released on Valentine’s Day in 2021 (made at the same Hollywood studio where Frank Sinatra recorded).
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Klum still roots for her favorite Golden Buzzer and made a point to catch a recent show at a Los Angeles jazz club. Valentinetti posted on his Instagram:
“Last night at Vibrato was the best. Great band, great performers. But my night, my week, my year was made when @heidiklum and her beautiful family came through the door. What a night!” Sal wrote, tagging his fiancé and band members.
Valentinetti got engaged to his longtime girlfriend, Gianna, in December 2022, and he and his fiancé celebrated Halloween with Klum last year, attending her famous blow-out Halloween party dressed as the Skipper and Ginger from Gilligan’s Island. Valentinetti frequently takes to Instagram with many heartfelt posts about his fiancé, whom he credits for giving him strength and support through the tough times.
The 28-year-old has also been open about his weight loss journey and health issues. On his birthday this year in August, he posted before and after photos along with good news.
“If something seems to be missing from the first photo, it’s 130lbs, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, and a seatbelt extender,” wrote Valentinetti, giving his fiancé a “shoutout for enabling me, motivating me, inspiring me, assisting me, and supporting me through the last 7 months and making #28 the Happiest Birthday yet.”
Since his epic Golden Buzzer moment, Valentinetti has opened for Jay Leno in Vegas, played at Madison Square Garden, and returned to America’s Got Talent through the years, once performing a festive duet with Klum on America’s Got Talent Holiday Spectacular in 2016.
In his most recent collaboration, he co-hosts the podcast Breaking Bread, where he interviews beloved members of the Italian-American community in New York’s five boroughs. Valentinetti never forgets his roots and always takes time to acknowledge friends and family in the old neighborhood, whether recommending the best cannoli in Brooklyn or posting sweet birthday messages to his mom — which is why we love him so much.
