The world knows Simon Cowell as a talent judge from the Got Talent franchise and the Idol franchise before that. He’s definitely tough, but he’s also usually right. So when Simon told this contestant to sing something other than his chosen song, it was a big risk for the man to continue without changing it.

The contestant is 30-year-old online music teacher Jimmie Herrod from Portland, Oregon, and the song he chose to sing was “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie. Simon asks him, “Do you know that is my worst song in the world?” and then tells him to sing something else. Jimmie says he doesn’t have another song, so Simon tells him “Good luck.”

When we hear Jimmie’s voice, however, we think Simon may end up eating his words–he’s fantastic.

His song is so powerful that, after smiling and giving him a standing ovation, Simon tells him, “wow, wow, wow–it’s not my worst song anymore.” It’s heartwarming to see that Simon is as honest in praise as he is in criticism!

And to top it off, Jimmie gets the Golden Buzzer from Sophia!

Watch the full video below!