Matt Mauser, 51, from Huntington Beach, California, appeared on the talent show on Tuesday night, when he wowed judged with his heart-wrenching performance of Phil Collins' hit Against All Odds.
Before launching into his rendition of the song, Matt - a retired teacher - honored his wife Christina, describing her as a 'humble, powerful human being' and his 'greatest supporter'.
Christina, who was an assistant basketball coach at the Newport Beach school where Gianna was a student, was killed alongside Kobe, Gianna, and six other people on-board their helicopter when it crashed in Calabasas on January 26, 2020.
Matt teared up as he told the judges about dealing with the loss of his wife - while his three children watched on from the wings, having jokingly advised him ahead of his appearance to 'not suck'.
'On January 26, 2020, I lost my wife in the same helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant,' Matt said, before explaining that he and Christina, who was 38 when she died, had been school teachers, but retired so that he could pursue his music career.
The couple then chose to work together as basketball coaches while he focused on his singing.
Touching, this made me cry
ReplyDelete