For nearly four decades, Mike Yung sang in New York subway stations—his voice rising above the noise as crowds hurried past.
On March 15, 2026, his story reached a breathtaking milestone. “The Singers,” a short film featuring Yung and fellow subway performers, won Best Live Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
For years, he performed at 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue, often unnoticed. Early record deals fell through, and it seemed his moment had passed. But in 2016, at age 56, everything changed. A video of him singing “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers went viral—opening the door to America’s Got Talent.
Yet for Yung, success was never just about fame.
“Sometimes people don’t have money,” he once said. “They give me a hug. That means you made someone’s day.”
On Oscar night, as producer David Breschel placed the statue in his hands, Yung stood emotional beside filmmakers Sam A. Davis and Jack Piatt—a man who once sang for strangers now honored before the world.
At 65, he’s still living the message of his “Never Give Up Tour.”
Because sometimes, the dream doesn’t fade—
It’s just waiting for its moment to be heard. 🎤
FROM SUBWAY ECHOES TO OSCAR STAGE: MIKE YUNG’S 40-YEAR JOURNEY
For nearly four decades, Mike Yung sang in New York subway stations—his voice rising above the
