The two mothers who brought America’s Got Talent judges and viewers to tears with their rendition of Wicked’s For Good have spoken of the “incredible outpouring of support” they received after sharing the heartbreaking story of donating organs of their children.
Holly Campbell, from Odessa, New York, and Kim Scadlock, from Eugene, Oregon, appeared on AGT earlier this month and shook up the talent show with their emotional performance by Broadway duo For Good – which, according to them, was inspired by the very bittersweet story that first brought them together.
During the segment, which was dubbed ‘2 Moms United by One Heart’, Holly revealed that when her baby, who signed up to be an organ donor, died, her heart went out to Kim’s son who was only 16 days old.
The two women did not know each other at the time, but they had both sung the same song to their sons, Jake and Beckham, during those life-changing moments.
Now, in a moving chat with DailyMail.com, Holly and Kim have opened up about the heartbreaking experience that has ‘bonded’ them for life – and the ‘incredible outpouring of support’ they’ve received since appearing on the show.
Holly Campbell and Kim Scadlock performed a moving rendition of Wicked’s For Good on the AGT Stage earlier this month. The pair are pictured with Kim’s son Beckham
“Our story was not only true in that it bound us, but it also healed us. We were both going through something so difficult and we wanted to reach out to those who were feeling the same, who were going through similar circumstances,’ Kim said.
When asked what they hoped the legacy of their story would be, Holly got emotional as she spoke of her son Jake who was “only in the world physically for 11 weeks”.
“How he could have a legacy to continue thanks to Beckham,” the mother said in tears.
“But knowing that people will sign up as organ donors because of her story means her legacy, her ripple effect is so much greater.
“And as a mum, it makes me really proud to know that he’s going on and on.”
And although her story has been told to millions, Kim said her son, Beckham, never felt like a “special kid”.
“He’s a pretty quiet kid, and he likes computer games and looking for lost media, he’s not someone who craves attention,” she told DailyMail.com about Beckham, who turns 16 next week and dreams of one day working for Nintendo.
The mothers said they received an “incredible outpouring of support” after sharing their story. Holly’s baby died and her heart went out to Kim’s son who was only 16 days old at the time
After the performance, Beckham joined them on stage. The mums didn’t know each other at the time of the donation, but it turns out they both sang For Good to their sons during the tough times
“But I think what I love about it is that I wish they’d shown that part of the show, but when we interviewed (AGT host) Terry Crews, Beckham said, “I never felt like a special kid, but it makes me feel special to be able to share this story.” And I think I like his point of view too.
‘Beckham doesn’t know anything different, and that’s always been his life…I love it when people say, “Oh, I didn’t even know he had a transplant, he looks so good health.”
‘And I’m like, ‘He is.’ And so, I also like to share from his side.
The couple’s TV performance was a smash hit, but they had only sung For Good three times together.
“And each time we only practiced when we sang because we live so far apart. And so, it’s not like we’ve had months of training with each other and somehow it works whenever we’ve been able to mix in the places where we are supposed to,’ Kim said.
“And if there are parts I can’t hit the notes, she can hit them and I can hit the ones she can’t. I think we (just) complement each other.
While Kim admitted she was “frail and nervous” during her performance, Holly was “cool as a cucumber” as she has a background in acting and is a teacher.
Instead, the latter found the answers to the questions during the pre-interview “agonizing” and had to battle a sinus infection.
Judge Sofia Vegara wiped away tears after being moved by ‘2 Moms United By One Heart’
Judge Heidi Klum was also moved to tears by the two mothers who promoted organ donation with their performance
“Because you don’t know exactly how the judges are going to approach it. And I had a hard time afterwards. I kept replaying it. “I should have said it, so I should have said it from this way.’ But once we started singing, it felt good,’ Holly added.
The couple also revealed which artists they would love to collaborate with on AGT if given the chance.
“I mean, if we could meet, let alone sing with, Idina Menzel and Kristen Chenoweth, that would be such a dream. Kristen Chenoweth tweeted the video and I was blown away knowing it reached her. It was really meaningful to us,” Holly said.
Holly and Kim’s performance proved so powerful that it left AGT judges Sofia Vegara and Heidi Klum in tears along with other audience members and viewers.
Speaking to DailyMail.com on Friday, Holly also revealed that she had never seen Wicked, the musical For Good featured in, while Kim did.
“I may live in New York, but I live upstate, so I’m four or five hours from Broadway and we have local touring bands that have been successful and just for some reason or a other, life got in the way of me seeing the show. So, I have to figure that out at some point,” Holly said.
Kim added, “My dad actually reminded me of that, it’s pretty cool, but he showed me a picture where I’m pregnant with Beckham and I’m standing outside the theater in Chicago to see Wicked.”
As for their favorite AGT, the two are big fans of Lavender Darcangelo, with Kim describing her as the “most genuine person” with a “beautiful” voice.
