Sal Valentinetti, a 20-year-old pizza delivery boy from Long Island, New York, stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage in 2016 and instantly captivated everyone with his larger-than-life personality. Bringing along a massive and loud “entourage” of family members, including his beloved mother and several aunts and cousins, Sal joked that he barely sang outside the shower until a few years ago. He shared a touching motivation for his performance, explaining that his love for classic Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra style music was a way to honor his late grandmother, who was the matriarch of his close-knit Italian family.
For his audition, Sal chose the legendary Frank Sinatra anthem “My Way.” From the very first note, it was clear that he possessed a vocal maturity and “old soul” charm that completely belied his young age. His performance was smooth, powerful, and filled with authentic emotion, proving that he didn’t just sing the notes—he lived them. The arena erupted in a standing ovation as he effortlessly navigated the iconic melody, and even the notoriously tough Simon Cowell was seen nodding in approval, noting that Sal had the music “in him.”
The judges’ feedback was a mixture of professional admiration and genuine affection for Sal’s charisma. Heidi Klum was so moved by his performance and his charming flirtation that she decided to skip the voting process entirely. In a moment of pure TV magic, she pressed the Golden Buzzer, sending Sal straight to the live shows and showering the stage in gold confetti. Sal, overcome with emotion, celebrated with his family, proving that he hadn’t just come to try out—he had come to win, and he had done it “his way.”
