A gospel singer who performed in America's got Talent said his main goal was to glorify God.

Ben Waites, from Nashville sang his own version of 'True Colors' by Cyndi Lauper which was aired this week.

The 33-year-old, who was rejected during his first audition years ago when he was studying at Louisiana Christian University, told Baptist Press: "At the end of the day, I can only say that it's a God thing," 

Waites was quoted as saying. "Everything that I've done my entire career has been so heavily oriented in serving Christ and showing the love of God to as many people as I can. 

"I looked at this as an opportunity of reaching a lot of people that I probably couldn't have on my own."

"I’m carrying a lot of weight on my shoulders over it, not in the sense of being overly nervous or caring about winning. 

"That stuff doesn’t matter to me. What I’m more concerned about is appropriately and effectively showing the Gospel of Christ through this opportunity. It’s very important that I get that message across."

One of the judges, Modern Family actress Sofia Vergara, was left in tears by his emotional performance. 

He explained to the judges: "I'm a Southern gospel singer and a vocal coach," and said that the message of the song is to "speak to people no matter their age, their race, their background."

As he started to perform, people sat amazed by his vocal abilities.

The judges, including Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell, also stood up to applaud the singer.

Klum told Waites: "You do have so many emotions, and I was feeling them, too, but I'm looking at Sofia. 

"Sofia is bawling her eyes out right now." 

Cowell added: "And Sofia does not cry."

Cowell is usually known for her direct critiques, but turned soft as he called it a "great audition."

Vergara said: "I loved it because it's a beautiful song, but you made it yours, and it was special. It was different."

All three judges voted for Waites to continue in the competition.