*While Fox’s revival of “Showtime at the Apollo” and its 90s-era performers were well received on social media Monday night, an unknown teen pianist competing in the Amateur Night segment ended up with the most memorable performance of the night.
Matthew Whitaker, a blind, 15-year-old piano prodigy from Hackensack, NJ, turned Twitter upside down and won Amateur Night handily with his searing piano tribute to Stevie Wonder.
To say this kid was channeling Wonder would be an understatement.
With his infectious smile and sweet nature winning over returning host Steve Harvey before he even sat down at the piano, Whitaker played the living hell out of Wonder’s classic “I Wish” to earn the most cheers when Kiki Shepard placed her hand above his head.
CONGRATS!! to our @MSMnyc Precollege student @_MattWhitaker the WINNER of @FOXTV #ShowtimeApollo last night, host @IAmSteveHarvey Proud!!! pic.twitter.com/S5KaZmd8M7
— Manhattan S of Music (@MSMnyc) December 6, 2016
Watch Matthew Whitaker’s performance below:
The sheer joy this young man brought to Twitter was a sight to behold:
Yes Matthew Stevie Wonder Whitaker! That’s how u tickle those ivories! #ShowtimeApollo
— just♏z♏imi (@JustMzMimi) December 6, 2016
Is this kid for real??? So sweet! #ShowtimeApollo pic.twitter.com/QeBFhZCaG2
— Cristin (@MscMainliner) December 6, 2016
This kid is a problem! #ShowtimeApollo pic.twitter.com/Vg7q81LtWU
— GabrielofSFPL (@GabrielofSFPL) December 6, 2016
I have chills. Ladies and gents, we have just witnessed the Stevie Wonder of the future. He shut it down! #ShowtimeApollo
— CEG (@MsCEG1) December 6, 2016
Boy ate that piano up #ShowtimeApollo
— Travis (@_TreyLito) December 6, 2016
Stevie Wonder needs to perform with this kid!!! #ShowtimeApollo
— Cheryl Davis Burton (@CherylDavBurton) December 6, 2016
I AM EMOTIONAL MATTHEW DESERVED THAT WIN. #ShowtimeApollo
— Festive❄️? (@ColorMeIndiaaa) December 6, 2016
Yaaaaaasssss Matthew “Stevie Wonder” Whitaker ????????❤️❤️❤️❤️???????????? #ShowtimeApollo pic.twitter.com/P4AyqcSfKo
— Huntah⚓️❤️? (@pandy24) December 6, 2016
Crying watch this young man on #ShowtimeApollo
Enchanted Performance in tribute to #StevieWonder
Amazing Matthew Stevie Wonder Whitaker ?— JustUs’ (@KayciJustice) December 6, 2016
Lord don’t take the old Stevie just cause you sent another one. #ShowtimeApollo
— UltramanBG (@UltramanBG) December 6, 2016
Did y’all see the piano keys reflecting in his sunglasses? #ShowtimeApollo
— Mrs. T. D. Drakes (@tsddrake) December 6, 2016
#ShowtimeApollo GIVE THIS KID PLAYING THE PIANO A RECORD DEAL….ASAP!! JUST WOW. If you aren’t watching this you’re missing out so hard!!
— J Dub (@NifDub) December 6, 2016
YES SIR THIS BOY RIGHTCH HERE……….MANNNNN #ShowtimeApollo
— Marcus Redmon (@Mrredmon99) December 6, 2016
How do we get Matthew Whitaker in a band, an orchestra or something? #ShowtimeApollo
— FupaFairy (@BlackNanny_) December 6, 2016
Matthew Whitaker literally favors Stevie so much he even has his smile. I’m about to cry. #ShowtimeApollo pic.twitter.com/S2Zkmv1XDC
— Festive❄️? (@ColorMeIndiaaa) December 6, 2016
I can’t even believe what I just witnessed- lil Stevie wonder in the flesh #ShowtimeApollo
— J’MAINE JONES (@JMAINEJONES) December 6, 2016
@_MattWhitaker I am a New #Fan I was crying and screaming your entire performance!! #ShowtimeApollo
— Sweet Danni J (@mysweetdannij) December 6, 2016
This baby got me all in my feelings with his piano playing. #HeWon #NoNeedToGoAnyFarther #ShowtimeApollo
— Sandra Steele (@SandraSteele2) December 6, 2016
#ShowtimeApollo Matthew Whittaker has seriously made me cry, My Lord he has a blessing on him
— Κushαndrια ✨ (@ZandriaLynn_) December 6, 2016
No other pianist is allowed at The Apollo now. He LIT the stage and piano on ????#ShowtimeApollo
— PettyAries? (@GabbyBeez) December 6, 2016
#MatthewWhitaker O…M…G!!!!!!! #ShowtimeApollo #PianoDrop !????♩?
— Daydowa Fragalé (@daydowa) December 6, 2016
I feel like a proud parent watching him #ShowtimeApollo pic.twitter.com/K5EjjnuH8e
— Jazz?☥ (@jaye_michele) December 6, 2016
I dont care what anybody say..Steve Wonder will be on the next episode of Maury..he is the father! #ShowtimeApollo pic.twitter.com/8LRUPD3jnZ
— Thomas Davis (@RealThomasDavis) December 6, 2016
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