Reklaws Move America on America’s Got Talent With Emotional Audition

When you think of “America’s Got Talent,” what comes to mind? Glittering lights, soaring vocals, daring acrobatics, and the thrill of a dream coming true on live television for millions to see. Yet, every so often, an act comes along that moves viewers beyond entertainment—touching our collective hearts with real, raw life. This was the case for Canadian sibling duo The Reklaws when they took to the AGT stage and delivered not only an outstanding musical audition but a powerful message of family, loss, and breaking the silence around mental health.

From Farm Life to the Big Stage

Stuart and Jenna Walker, who perform as The Reklaws—a playful spin on their surname “Walker” spelled backwards—hail from a small farming community called Kirkwall, just outside of Toronto, Canada. Their creative journey started not on a big-city stage but on their family-run Yeehaw Adventure Farm, featuring a 10,000 pumpkin patch, a 10-acre corn maze, and even pig races. It was here, during halftime shows, that the siblings first found their love for performing: Stuart on banjo, Jenna on vocals, both igniting the spirit of rural fun with music.

Music, it turns out, was more than a pastime. It was a way of processing and expressing the joys and the traumas of their tight-knit family. But in 2022, their world was shaken when they lost their beloved mother to struggles with mental health.

A Song with a Message

As the Walkers stepped into the America’s Got Talent audition, the gravity of their motivation was clear. “The whole reason we’re here is because of her,” Stuart shared backstage, visibly moved. With so much riding on this one chance, the duo chose to perform a deeply personal original song called “People Don’t Talk About“—a heartfelt ballad capturing the often-unspoken pain of grappling with mental health, especially in the wake of tragedy.

“We wrote this song probably two years ago. Our family’s been through a lot that we kind of didn’t feel comfortable talking about, and we wrote it about that,” Jenna explained on stage. “If we had just one song to play for the world, this would be it.”

The Performance: Honesty in Harmony

Accompanied by a simple acoustic arrangement, The Reklaws delivered their song with raw emotion:

I want to know everything that you don’t say out loud, and all the things that people don’t talk about…

The lyrics struck a chord. Their performance built from nostalgic childhood innocence to the heavy realities of adulthood, echoing the universal experience of feeling pressured to keep quiet about personal struggles.

Their words resonated not only for anyone who’s battled mental health issues but for everyone who’s tried to hide their true feelings. “People don’t talk about/ trying to be yourself but feeling like you’re someone else…you’re not alone,” Jenna sang, her voice trembling with believable vulnerability.

Judges and Viewers React: “Unbelievably Powerful”

The AGT judges were deeply moved. Howie Mandel, who has publicly advocated for removing the stigma around mental health, stood in support. “Your singing and writing is impeccable. There’s a stigma attached, and the thing that allows me to survive is the ability to talk about it. This song is an important song, and I think that you are going to go a long way in this competition.”

Heidi Klum and Sofia Vergara praised the siblings’ chemistry and authenticity, while Simon Cowell called the audition “a big treat for all of us…unbelievably powerful.”

With four emphatic yes votes, the Walkers advanced in the competition—but more importantly, they brought their story and song to a massive international audience, likely inspiring many to reach out, speak up, and seek help.

Breaking the Silence: Mental Health Takes Center Stage

Beyond the applause and lights, The Reklaws’ audition represents something bigger than just a chance at stardom. By sharing their experience with loss, grief, and healing, they challenge the culture of silence so often surrounding mental health struggles.

Jenna’s post-audition comments highlighted just how personal this mission is for their family: “Their reaction means the world because that song means so much to us, just from what we’ve been through. For Howie to point that out immediately—it was shocking, because that’s the whole point.”

It’s a sentiment that stretches far beyond AGT’s stage: conversations about mental health can save lives. As Howie Mandel said, “the thing that allows me to survive is the ability to talk about it.” The Walkers echo that call—to be open, to connect, to remove the shame and stigma.

A Bright Future For The Reklaws

With a powerful debut on one of America’s biggest talent stages, The Reklaws have shown themselves not only as rising stars in the country music world but as advocates for change. Their blend of harmony, heartfelt songwriting, and authenticity is rare, and their willingness to lay bare their pain is an invitation for others to heal.

In the weeks ahead, fans and newcomers alike will be watching to see what these Canadian siblings bring next. But no matter how far they go in the competition, their legacy is already secure: they’ve started a conversation that America—and the world—desperately needs.

A Call To All

The Reklaws’ journey is a reminder that music can do more than entertain; it can unite us in pain and in hope. Their mother’s memory, their honesty, and their song are now part of AGT history—and perhaps, a catalyst for more people to talk about the things we often keep inside.

For anyone struggling, or anyone feeling alone: “You’re not alone, you’re not alone,” they sang—and it’s true. Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is simply talk about it. And sometimes, the right performance at the right moment gives a nation permission to listen, to feel, and to heal.