Meghan Markle appears on ‘America’s Got Talent’ to encourage wrongfully convicted contestant

Meghan Markle wanted to encourage 'America's Got Talent' contestant Archie Williams

This week during the America’s Got Talent finale, viewers were treated to a surprise appearance from Meghan Markle who came on the show shout out to one of the contestants.

Fans watching from home and in-studio judges alike were touched by the story of Archie Williams, a contestant who shared the harrowing story of his wrongful conviction and 36-year incarceration. And apparently, amongst those moved by Williams tenacity were the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

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“Just wanted to let you know that we’ve been so moved by your story and we’ve been cheering you on every week and it’s not just because we’re partial to the name,” said Markle on Wednesday’s broadcast, who has a one-year-old son also named Archie.

“So, a very special message to you that I’ll probably be saying all of my life, but on this night it’s specifically for you: Archie, we are proud of you and are rooting for you, we can’t wait to see what you do. We’re in your corner, have a good night,” she beamed.

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Previously, 59-year-old Williams was incredibly candid as he opened up about his past during his AGT audition.

As he tells it, he was falsely arrested for aggravated rape and attempted murder at the age of 22. After serving a whopping 12 years behind bars, he was able to reach out to the Innocence Project for aid. But he ultimately ended up spending nearly four decades locked away before his case was overturned due to fingerprints that were connected to the scene of the crime proving his innocence.

In March 2019, Williams was finally released.

“I knew I was innocent, I didn’t commit a crime. But being a poor Black kid, I didn’t have the economic ability to fight the state of Louisiana,” he said of his ordeal. “Days turned into weeks, into months, into years and into decades. It’s like a nightmare.”

As if that story wasn’t enough, he then brought everyone to tears by singing an emotional rendition of Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”

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