Although the performances on shows like America’s Got Talent are often incredible, sometimes the backstories are even more interesting.
Without a doubt, it takes a lot of work to pursue a creative career. Along the way, anyone who dreams of performing will have to come all kinds of obstacles, whether we’re talking about financial issues, self-doubt or other personal struggles.
Other times, the passion and the talent are all there, but there are things happening around us that prevent us from giving our all to our dreams.
That’s what made one performance on the show’s 2019 season so captivating.
Like any audition, it begins with the contestant walking out onstage and introducing herself.
Her name is Olivia Calderon, she’s 47 years old and she is a detention officer in Tempe, Arizona. As she explains to the judges, her job had no idea that she would be auditioning on the show!
She goes on to say that she’d been working in the field for 21 years, but that she’d been working in Tempe specifically for 12 years. As she says, she always dreamed of being a professional singer but somehow let that dream get away from her.
With all that said, the judges clear the way for her to perform.
As she begins, Calderon starts singing her song in Spanish.
The song is a Spanish cover of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” and it’s clear from the beginning that this was a perfect song for her to choose.
Even if it took her a long time to make it to the national stage, she believed in herself and finally made it there after all. As the song goes on, her voice swells and soars through the verses while the audience applauds.
By this point, all of the judges have big smiles on their faces.
Before the song is even over, everybody in the crowd is definitely on her side.
With that, all that’s left is to finish off on a strong note. Calderon takes a deep breath and belts out the final lines, giving the judges goosebumps! When it’s finally over, all the judges get out of their chairs and give her a standing ovation—and the entire crowd follows suit!
As judge Julianne Hough says, even though everyone has heard the song she sang countless times before, Calderon really found a way to make it her own!
At this, Calderon smiles warmly.
Still, the rest of the judges have yet to have their say.
For his part, judge Howie Mandel explains that the performance was not his cup of tea… and the whole crowd boos him! Finally, judge Simon Cowell asks what everyone has been wondering: why didn’t she start performing like this earlier?
As she explains, she got degrees in vocal performance and criminal justice—and she put her dream on hold to help her family take care of her dad. She says this with tears in her eyes, and some of the audience tears up as well.
Finally, Cowell says that the drama of her performance brings it all to life.
At the end, Calderon gets all the yeses she needs to move on!
Needless to say, Calderon’s performance shows just how tricky the journey to following one’s dreams can really be. Although she had all the talent and the preparation necessary to follow her dreams, life got in the way and she found herself sidelined. Fortunately, her belief in herself and her passion for singing saw her through in the end!
Congratulations to Olivia Calderon on a great performance and for following her dreams! Watch the full clip below:
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