Matt Mauser Delivers Moving AGT Audition After Losing Wife in Crash That Killed Kobe Bryant
"When she left that day, she kissed me and she said, 'I love you,'' Matt teared up as he recalled his final moments with his wife. "And that was the last thing my wife ever said to me. Your whole life changes in a second."
"There was pain," he admitted, adding, "My focus immediately went to my children. You start to say, 'All right, she would want me to carry on.' She would want our kids to have happy lives, which I don't know it's possible, But I'm gonna try. You know, if I had it my way, I would have my wife, and I would be supporting her. But that's not what happened. You know, it's been a rough year. But...here I am.
The star's children were present for his audition and cheered him on as he hit the stage. Following his moving performance, Matt shared an important message with his family. "I would like to make sure that my children see that, in spite of the grief that we've been through this year and that grief is not gonna define who we are as a family and that my children see that you have to find joy in life and you have to continue," he said. "And if this can anyway help my children to chase their dreams, then I'll take it."
Matt advanced to the next round, with all of the judges giving him yesses. After hearing the news, he expressed, "When I was out there tonight, I was singing to her. And I wanted to make her proud, so I think I did that. I felt her in my heart, which was nice. I felt her."