11-Year-Old Violinist on 'America's Got Talent' Says He Was Bullied for Having Cancer

Tyler Butler-Figueroa, who was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 4 1/2 years old, said his classmates feared he was contagious.

A new “America’s Got Talent” contestant has become the talk of the country. 

Tyler Butler-Figueroa blew the judges away with his amazing violin skills. The 11-year-old told the judges he started playing his instrument as a way to cope with being bullied at school. The reason why nearly brought the judges to tears. 

Tyler said he was diagnosed with leukemia at 4 1/2 years old and some classmates spread rumors that his cancer was contagious, which led to the bullying. So he picked up the violin to prove he was more than a kid with cancer.

Not only did he conquer cancer, he also earned the Golden Buzzer on Tuesday night's show from judge Simon Cowell, sending him straight to the finals. 

This is the latest Golden Buzzer given on the show. Two weeks ago, Kodi Lee, who is blind and has autism, also impressed the judges with his extraordinary performance and was given a trip to the finals courtesy of judge Gabrielle Union.

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