Dee Dee Simon is best known for receiving Heidi’s Golden buzzer in AGT 2024 quarter finials to get selected to finals.
| Age (at audition) | 40s |
| Home Town | California |
| Act | Singer |
| Season | 19 |
| Position Reached | Finals |
Dee Dee Simon, who wowed the audience with the song “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” shared an interesting story before her performance. Apparently, she is a registered nurse at San Quentin State Prison where her singing once caused a prison riot. When Simon Cowell asked what brought her to the show this year, she simply replied, “Destiny, I don’t see myself any place else but here right now.”
In the quarterfinals, Dee Dee performed Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control”. Her dynamic performance earned standing ovations from all four judges along with Heidi’s Golden Buzzer, sending her directly to the Finals.
In the finals, he performed an amazing performance to the song “Take Me to Church,” reserving a place in the bottom 5 of the top 10.
Background
Dee started singing before she was 5 years old. “I started singing when I was 4,” said Dee in a 2016 interview. By the late 1990s, Danesha Starr released the hit single “As Long As I Live, ” which went to No. 27 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart. The song also featured R&B singer Rome, known for his 1997 hit “I Belong to You.”
Along with singing, Simon is also a novelist. She wrote and published the 2014 book When a Man Loves a Woman: A Love Mystery. Simon also wrote, directed, and produced two hit plays, Misery Loves Company in 2017 and the one-woman act play Coretta: the One-Woman Stage Play.
After taking a break from music and returning as Dee Dee Simon, she started releasing singles, including “For All of My Life” in 2015, “Let’s Celebrate” from 2016, “Upgrade” and “Walk That Dog” in 2019, and more throughout the 2020s. She has also released two albums, including her 2020 debut Ahh Hell Queen Dee, and a self-titled follow-up in 2022, including the single “We Gonna Party.”
Dee Dee Simon Biography
Dee’s amazing performance of Jennifer Holliday’s hit “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” earned her four ‘yeses’ from the judges on AGT Series 19.
| Real Name | Danesha Starr |
| Age | 40s |
| Birthday | 1970s |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California, USA |
| Nationality | African American |
| Profession | Registered Nurse |
Family & Relationships
There are currently no published facts about her family or relationships.
What happened in America’s Got Talent?
Audition
Before performing on AGT 2024, on Tuesday, June 11, singer Dee Dee Simon told the audience that she has spent 19 years of her adult life as a nurse at San Quentin State Prison. She revealed the chaos happened the first time she sang at the prison. Yet, during her second round she gained a more peaceful audience. This dedicated singer elaborated her sincere feelings in-front of the audience just before her performance.
“You know, it’s always been a door,” said Dee Dee. “I get to this door, and I never get to go through it because of something. So my big dream is to make that door, walk through it, and take care of my family.” When she was done, the audience erupted in applause and the judges started clapping while standing. “I thought it was spectacular,” said Sofía Vergara.
“It’s coming from your soul. It was a beautiful treat to have you here tonight.”
Sofía Vergara
Howie Mandel said ” You said ‘Every time I went to that door, something happened and I couldn’t get through.’ I think that you are out. You are free. Welcome to the world that you deserve to be in.” Then he gave her first ‘yes’ for the act and other judges followed him shortly.
Quarter-Finals
In the quarterfinals, Dee Dee Simon performed a stunning cover of Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control”. Her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence earned her standing ovations from all four judges: Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Simon Cowell.
Howie was so energized by her performance that he took off his shoes on stage, while Simon praised her for having “no holding back and no fear.” Sofia called her entire performance amazing, and Heidi was captivated by Dee Dee’s vocal range and tone. Overwhelmed by her talent, Heidi hit the Golden Buzzer, sending Dee Dee straight to the Finals.
Finals
For her final performance, Dee Dee delivered a stunning rendition of “Take Me to Church,” showcasing her vocal strength and emotional depth.
Heidi was completely blown away, describing Dee Dee’s performance as full of “strength and power” and bowing down to her talent. Sofia was equally impressed, noting how Dee Dee “keeps getting better” with every performance.
Simon highlighted her newfound confidence, stating that she demonstrated “what it means to sing well” and praised her for growing stronger as a performer each round.
However, after the round of votes, she finished in the Bottom 5 of the Top 10.
Social Media
Conclusion
Dee Dee Simon, whose real name is Danesha Starr, got down from the AGT 2024 stage as a rising star with a promising journey ahead. Just before leaving when Simon Cowell asked if she would like to dedicate the song to someone, Dee Dee gestured to her mom in the audience, with tears streaming down her face. “To anyone who was told ‘no,’ keep going ‘cause it’s that one ‘yes’ that can change your life,” she said.
