Living a creative life can definitely be a challenge.
On the simplest levels, it’s important that you have a clear talent and voice (which can sometimes take years to develop).
Beyond that, you have to have a certain extra something that differentiates you from other talented people, whether that’s a special charm or stage presence. But even before a person gets on stage, they need to come to grips with who they are and overcome their own insecurities.
And one recent performance on America’s Got Talent showed that all too well.
The clip we’re talking about came from the show’s 2019 season.
As the clip begins, 15-year-old Sophie Pecora explains a little about herself. She says that although she’s generally a pretty quiet person, she has a very loud mind—and that comes out in her songwriting.
Unlike many singer-songwriters, Pecora has a unique approach that combines singing and acoustic guitar playing with a kind of fast rapping as well. For anyone who hasn’t been following the show, Pecora had already auditioned for the judges and gotten four yeses.
But as her parents explain, that was like an official permission slip to more fully be herself!
While her first performance was definitely impressive, she was more than ready to come back with an even better performance.
After her introduction, Pecora steps out on stage in Hollywood’s own Dolby Theater. Though she says she’s still nervous, it’s more like being excited.
As she explains, she’s singing a new original song called “Misfits” and it might be the most personal out of all the songs she’s written thus far. With no further ado, the judges clear the way so that she can perform.
With that, the crowd gives her a round of applause and she’s ready to begin.
After that, Pecora starts plucking her guitar and singing her intimate lyrics.
At first, Pecora sings lyrics about how she likes to spend the most time with herself and how she can easily get lost in her mind. Beyond that, she also tells people not to come up and talk to her.
After that introduction, she breaks into her “rapping” section about how people around her can be bullies, how they pick on other people and how important it is to have empathy for everybody.
By this point, it’s clear that everyone in the audience is incredibly moved.
Even though the Dolby Theater is packed full of people, Pecora has a delivery that makes the whole performance seem so intimate.
Her entire song is very unique and heartfelt. Even though she’s still so young, her voice is incredibly well-defined and strong already!
After that, the judges give their comments on how her song was so moving and how the bullies can’t win. After everything else, guest judge Brad Paisley says that he feels like he knows Pecora from just one song. After a moment’s more consideration, Paisley says he’s going to do it.
With that, he smashes the Golden Buzzer for her!
When it’s over, Pecora is completely speechless… though she thanks Paisley for liking the song!
As this song and Pecora’s performance show, one of the most important things in artistic expression is being clear and accepting about who you really are.
While some performers come onstage and try to go as big as they can, Pecora was about as small and intimate as it could’ve been—and that’s just as brave!
Congratulations to Sophie Pecora on a moving performance! Watch the full thing in the clip below:
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