If you’re on the hunt for proof that the American dream is alive and well, you often have to look no further than the immigrants who now call this place home.
People have been making their way to the U.S. for the promise of a better life since the nation’s birth so that their children could have the absolute best shot. That is, after all, every parent’s greatest wish. Such was the case of 15-year-old Amanda Mena’s family. The talented young singer was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the U.S. when she was four.
When she started school, Amanda didn’t know a single word of English, but through hard work and determination, she learned the language. Unfortunately, cruel children bullied her along the way, but the young woman found strength in music.
Recently, she made her way to the “America’s Got Talent” stage to show the whole country what she’s made of. What happened when the music started playing had everyone in the crowd on their feet.
As she stepped up to the mic, Amanda looked like your average teenage girl. She was cute, bright-eyed, and rocking some braces. Still, the soft-spoken teen kept her nerves in check, instantly proving that she’s a tough cookie.
Before she began to sing, she chatted with the judges about her journey as an immigrant and how music has always been her happy place even when times got hard. With that, the opening notes of Aretha Franklin’s powerhouse ballad “Natural Woman” started to play.
The young girl opened her mouth and out came a voice that no one could believe they were hearing. The judges were immediately blown away by her technique and control. She sounded like someone who had been singing for 30 years.
Within the two-minute audition, every single person in the audience stood up and cheered for the budding vocalist. Even hard-to-please Simon Cowell was completely blown away. “This is an audition we’re going to remember for a long time,” he said.
When it came time for Mel B to give her opinion, she was just about speechless. She let Amanda know that she was covered in goosebumps and that she had one very important message to send to those bullies who made the teen’s life so hard.
With that, she smashed that golden buzzer and sent the stunned singer straight to the live shows!
Hear more about Amanda’s amazing story and listen to her gorgeous performance down below. Share her performance that surely made Aretha proud with your friends!