June 16, 2023
JAKARTA – Yogyakarta-based singing sensation Putri Ariani handed over on Wednesday the Golden Buzzer she received from America’s Got Talent (AGT) judge Simon Cowell to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo during a meeting at the Presidential Palace.
President Jokowi extended an invitation to Putri and her parents to meet him at the Palace in the wake of her performance on AGT, where the 17-year-old impressed the judges and the crowd to win the coveted Golden Buzzer.
Upon receiving the trophy, Jokowi said it was a testament to Putri’s massive talent and that it would guarantee her success in the talent competition.
“The Golden Buzzer will automatically allow her to reach the final. This is the ultimate recognition from Simon Cowell, who always has a good instinct. He is never wrong, but we’ll see,” Jokowi told a press briefing after the meeting.
Jokowi said that he would give his vote to Putri in her next performance on AGT.
“I will certainly cawe-cawe,” Jokowi said in jest, using the same term he used recently to refer to what many perceived as meddling in the election.
The President also said that he planned to invite Putri to perform during the celebration event for the country’s independence on Aug. 17 at the State Palace.
Responding to the President’s promises, Putri said that that would motivate her to give her best performance in the next round of competition.
“I will be more energized in my next performance,” Putri said.