Julia Carlile and her dance group Mersey Girls first competed on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, and her openness about potentially career-ending struggles with scoliosis inspired Simon to pay for her surgery

Simon Cowell (left) and Julia Carlile of Mersey Girls on ‘America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League’. Photo:Trae Patton/NBC (2)

Warning: this post contains spoilers from the latest episode of America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.

Simon Cowell had a sweet reunion with a young woman whose life he changed forever on the latest episode of America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.

During Monday’s episode of the America’s Got Talent spinoff, Julia Carlile and her dance group Mersey Girls hit the stage for the first time as they competed on judge Mel B’s fantasy team.

While Mel B was excited to see the young women, who first competed on Britain’s Got Talent, perform their dance number, it was Simon who was particularly happy to see them as he helped pay for Julia’s scoliosis surgery back in 2017.

“We’ve all been dancing together since we were literally tiny and it’s what we all wanted to do as a career,” explained Julia, who turns 22 later this month. “That didn’t end up happening for me. I was diagnosed with a condition called scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine, and I was told my dance career would end after I get surgery to fix that. So we were like, ‘Let’s go out with a bang before my surgery,’ so we applied to Britain’s Got Talent. That’s when we ended up getting on the show and I met Simon. And he completely changed my life.”

Mersey Girls on ‘America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League’.Trae Patton/NBC

In a video package, Julia explained that her dance group “had the time of our lives dancing” on the Britain’s Got Talent stage and receiving the Golden Buzzer from judge Alesha Dixon. Though they didn’t win the competition, Julia got something better — a chance to keep dancing.

“There was a surgery here in America, which meant I would be able to dance after, but it was over in America, I’m from the U.K., so Simon said he’s gonna help me get that surgery,” she explained. “So he flew me out. My dream was taken away from me, and in a split second, Simon just gave that dream back to me. I can dance now, for the rest of my life.”

According to The Daily Mail, Simon paid £175,000 ($223,000 USD) for the operation to straighten Julia’s spine. She has since undergone several more procedures, some of which she has documented on social media.

Mersey Girls on ‘America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League’.Trae Patton/NBC

Now that Julia has recovered, she’s been able to dance again. Inspired by their story, Mel B decided to draft them on her fantasy team for the AGT spinoff.

“When we found out we were on Mel B’s dream team, we were just ecstatic,” said Mersey Girls member Cara in a video package before their dance.

Also impressed by the heartfelt story was judge Howie Mandel, who told Simon ahead of their performance, “Wow, buddy. This is not your child and you took care of her. I’m really impressed.”

Simon Cowell on ‘America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League’.Trae Patton/NBC

After dancing an emotional routine to “Trust Fall” by Pink, with the girls being moved to tears after their performance, the judges offered their honest feedback — not all of it positive.

“It was very good, and it is a beautiful story and I’m really moved … but I don’t know if it’s great,” Howie said, as Julia politely responded, “I do have two metal rods in my spine, I try my best.”

“You’re fantastic and I’m very proud of you, young lady,” he then clarified.

Heidi Klum was in agreement, telling the group, “You dance like a well-oiled machine … but I find it a little bit snoozy.”

Mel B and Simon, however, did not agree with their commentary. Mel B pointed out how “these girls all stuck together” despite Julia’s near-career-ending surgery and Simon commended them for their can-do attitude and persistence.

“I like acts who want to win, who put the hours in and get better, and that’s what you did tonight,” he said. “Mel’s right — a lot of other people would’ve just said goodbye and carried on without you, but they didn’t. They stuck by you … I think you’re gonna inspire a lot of people, and I think the audience will vote you through because you deserve it.”

Mersey Girls on ‘America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League’.Trae Patton/NBC

But while he and Mel B had confidence in the dance group, they unfortunately did not receive the same support from America when it came time to vote.

Going through to the next rounds was season 18 animal act Adrian Stoica and Hurricane from Simon’s team, season 15 singer Sheldon Riley and Britain’s Got Talent season 13 acrobats Vardanyan Brothers from Mel B’s team, season 18 aerialist Grace Good from Heidi’s team, and Howie’s team comedian Preacher Lawson, who competed on season 12, AGT: The Champions season 1 and BGT: The Champions.

The Golden Buzzer act of the evening went to the season 18 hand balancers Ramadhani Brothers, who were initially on Heidi’s team but were stolen by Howie.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.