Jane Marczewski, an early favorite to win “America’s Got Talent” after a knockout audition with her original song “It’s OK,” is leaving the show amid her ongoing battle with cancer.
The 30-year-old Ohio native — who goes by Nightbirde on stage — broke the devastating news to her 704,000 Instagram followers Monday night.
“Since my audition, my health has taken a turn for the worse and the fight with cancer is demanding all of my energy and attention,” she revealed in the heartbreaking update. “I am so sad to announce that I won’t be able to continue forward on this season of AGT.”
Marczewski added, “Life doesn’t always give breaks to those that deserve it — but we knew that already.”
The tragic announcement comes a month after the jaw-dropping audition, which saw the singer-songwriter earning a standing ovation from the crowd and a Golden Buzzer from curmudgeonly judge Simon Cowell. Meanwhile, a video of the stunning performance currently boasts over 30 million views on YouTube.
Nightbirde revealed that “It’s OK” told the story of her life last year while battling cancer.
“Last time they checked, I had some cancer in my lungs, my spine and my liver,” the artist had said at time. Marczewski was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, which would be the first of her three reoccurring cancer diagnoses, culminating in 2019, when a doctor informed her that she had just three months to live, WKBN reported.
However, Nightbirde refused to let the disease define her: “It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me,” said the singer.
Despite her worsening symptoms, Marczewski is grateful for her run on “AGT.”
“Sharing my heart with the world on AGT has been an honor and a dream come true,” the star wrote on IG. “My point of view this summer has been astounding. What a miracle that the pain I’ve walked through can be reworked into beauty that makes people all over the world open their eyes wider.”
She concluded, “Stay with me, I’ll be better soon. I’m planning my future, not my legacy. Pretty beat up, but I’ve still got dreams.
Friends and admirers have since expressed the support on social media.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to her and her family,” wrote “AGT” judge Howie Mandel on Twitter.
“Sending you love and prayers!” seconded former “Bachelorette” contestant Hannah Brown. “What an inspiration you are to us all.”
“AGT’s” official Instagram account also chimed in, writing: “We’re keeping you in our thoughts for a full recovery!”
