A Vicksburg native has made it to the finals of an NBC talent reality series.

On TV

The finals for “America’s Got Talent” will be at 7 Monday night on NBC

Lawrence Beamen, who now lives in Walnut Creek, Calif., was told on the show Wednesday night he’ll be headed to the finals for “America’s Got Talent,” set for a live broadcast at 7 Monday night.

Beamen, 34, will compete against nine others. The winner will receive $1 million and will headline a show in Las Vegas.

The talent competition began with 48 contestants in all types of talent categories. Over the course of 12 weeks, viewers across the country voted for their favorite. Votes are cast via text message and the Internet.

On Tuesday’s semifinals, Beamen sang his rendition of Alicia Key’s “Falling.”

“I’m feeling a lot of pressure tonight,” Beamen said on the show, before his performance. “There’s a lot of good singers out there. It’s no walk in the park.”

He received good marks from two of the three judges, actor David Hasselhoff; TV personality Sharon Osbourne; and former editor of the London Daily Mirror, Piers Morgan.

“I love you. You’re a fantastic guy,” said Morgan. “I did not like this performance. I see you as a Barry White. Seeing you as Alicia Keys is a bit confusing.”

Beamen’s competitors Monday night will include an opera singer, a boy band, a dancer and a comedian who calls herself Grandma Lee.

Beamen lived in Vicksburg until he was 12. He has a background in gospel music and operates a small recording studio in Walnut Creek.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com