Simon Cowell is all about bringing people’s aspirations to life.

The judge and executive producer pressed his Golden Buzzer for 14-year-old vocalist Sara James from Poland during Tuesday’s episode of America’s Got Talent.

James captivated the judges with her cover of Billie Eilish’s “Lovely,” but it was Cowell, 62, who ultimately pressed the coveted button to send the adolescent directly to the live shows.

“Wow,” Cowell said. “We’ve heard a lot of singers over the years.” “You exude a genuine star quality.”

After James disclosed that she was visiting the United States for the first time, the moment occurred. Cowell then continued to push his Golden Buzzer, telling her that he wanted to make her dreams come true.

“This is most likely where you envisioned yourself performing. I recall arriving in America for the first time… it was an unforgettable experience “According to Cowell. “And I want you to remember this moment for the rest of your life.”

James, who was speechless and filled with emotion on stage, tells PEOPLE that the thrill hasn’t worn off yet.

“To be honest, I’m at a loss for words. I’m literally shaking just thinking about it… I’m just overjoyed, “she explains. “It’s something I’d wished for, and it came true. It’s insane!”

“Dreams come true in America. It’s incredible, “she continues. “[Simon] made the entire trip to America so pleasant — and America is, to be honest, rather magnificent. I’m in love and want to live there, but it was such an incredible moment that it makes me want to cry.”

According to Cowell, who spoke to People Magazine, “Sara is a total star in my opinion, so I pressed my golden buzzer for her. She travelled halfway around the world to audition for AGT ‘to see whether dreams come true,’ which struck a chord with me because I had similar sentiments 20 years ago. I simply lacked her talent!”

James began singing when she was “around 3 or 4” years old and has been a longstanding follower of the show, though she never expected to be chosen.

“When I was younger, I used to watch all of America’s Got Talent’s YouTube videos and would exclaim, “Oh my gosh.” Wow, that’s incredible,’ but I’d never consider it seriously “She confesses.

All of that changed after her recent vacation to the United States.

Cowell told PEOPLE about the judges’ responses after her outstanding performance: “On my Golden Buzzer, we were all thinking the same thing. I believe there were three of us, all ready to jump on the Golden Buzzer. [Her] performance is fantastic.”

James says she’s already planning her next performance now that she’s been given a ticket straight to the live shows.

“I have a lot of ideas,” she says, adding that she’s most excited to “go back on stage and show the judges all I have.”

She’s also ecstatic to be an AGT act that others will be able to watch and admire online, as she has been for so long.

“It’s astonishing to me that people, [both] little kids and older adults, look up to me,” James continues. “I want children to learn to always be themselves and not to allow others rule or think for them. You are the celebrity, and you must decide what you want to do. Just be yourself, surround yourself with beautiful people, and never give up.”

On NBC, America’s Got Talent airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.