Connecticut native Amanda Mammana stood on the America’s Got Talent stage just like everyone else, hoping to show the world just how talented she is.
The only difference is, Amanda has a speech impediment.
It becomes apparent during her pre-audition interview with judge Howie Mandel.
Howie asks the usual introductory questions, with Amanda taking some time before responding. Then she opens up.
“As you can probably tell, I have a bit of a speech impediment,” Mammana explained to the four judges. “It was definitely something that caused me to shy away and to hide, but I found that I don’t stutter when I sing.”
Now that’s something else!
The 19-year-old songwriter chose to sing an original composition of hers, which in itself is already impressive.
All four judges and the audience were listening with interest, wondering what Amanda had in store for them.
“It’s just about hard times and if I could go back and change those things I wouldn’t, because they made me, me,” she says about her song.
Her father stands backstage with host Terry Crews, emotional and looking very concerned for her.
Amanda begins strumming her guitar on stage, then proceeds to sing powerful lyrics.
Words that brought everyone to tears.
“But what if I could go back in time and change the way I felt about my life.
But then would I still have inside everything that brought me back to life,” she sang.
From a young girl with a speech impediment, to a moving singer-songwriter who had the show’s judges and the audience hanging on to every word she sang, Amanda exuded power and grace.
After her moving performance, Amanda pauses for a bit, a hushed silence hanging over the audience.
And then the cheers and the applause erupts, everyone on their feet marveling at the courage and talent they just witnessed.
Meghan S is a friend of Amanda’s, and she left a comment saying,
“So proud of you Manda!! She’s a friend of mine from my church and I’ve had the privilege of watching her grow up and she is just as genuine and sweet as she seems!”
To think Amanda says she feels like she’s not good enough.
An audience member responded saying, “You are good enough!”
And what about the judges?
“Good enough doesn’t explain what we just heard,” Howie Mandell says. “It’s not only good, it’s great. Look how you’re moving this audience. And I believe you’re moving millions of people right now at home. And I just want to say thank you!”
Heidi Klum added that she loved Amanda’s voice and would like to see more of that fire in her.
Sofia Vergara praised Amanda’s guts and how she followed her heart.
“You spoke to us very honestly about the issues you have with your speech,” added Simon Cowell. “It’s terrifying auditioning when you don’t have an issue like that, and then you were amazing. I mean your voice is so pure, so beautiful and also you’re a good songwriter and an incredible person. I’m so happy you came here.”
And with that, Simon gives her the first yes, with the other three following with yeses.
We can’t wait to see more of Amanda. check out her moving audition below!
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