When people compete on “America’s Got Talent,” they hope to hear that Golden Buzzer that sends them on to the final round. Very few actually hear it, but one teen was lucky enough to watch Mel B hit it for her. Amanda Mena took the stage with two goals.
She wanted to show everyone how well she can sing and also take a stand against bullies.
She explained:
“When I was younger, I had a hard time showing who I was. I was afraid, I was ashamed to express myself the way that I wanted to. So, definitely, going up on that stage it was a goal for me. I was able to tell all the bullies, ‘I can do it. I can.'”
Amanda revealed that she was bullied at a young age, but it helped her find a love of music.
She started singing and used her talent as a way to deal with the bullying. She shared:
“Music was always there for me when I was little. I loved listening to people like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, I just thought they were powerful woman role models. So, in times like that where I didn’t feel so amazing about myself, I would just look to them and kind of be like, ‘One day, I want to be like them and follow that example.'”
As she finished her song, “Natural Woman,” the judges were clearly impressed.
It didn’t take long for Mel B to hit that Golden Buzzer. For Amanda, this was a dream come true. She wasn’t expecting it, but she was thrilled that the judges loved her performance.
When Mel B hit the Golden Buzzer, she said:
“This is what I’m going to say to all those bullies! This is an audition we’re going to remember for a long time.”
Amanda explained the way she felt when she heard the buzzer. She said:
“I really couldn’t believe it. I kind of blacked [out] for a second. It feels awesome. I admire Mel B, and I think just being her Golden Buzzer, it kind of connects me to her more. So, it’s kind of awesome.”
Amanda was so excited that she hugged the judge on stage.
Mel B also took some time to talk with Amanda backstage. This was another dream come true for the young singer. She shared their conversation:
“She was just talking to me and saying, ‘You are so powerful for your age.’ I really took that, and I really appreciate that because I have been through a lot of things and just to hear that from her it felt good.”
Amanda hopes that she can be an inspiration to other young girls who are bullied.
She wants her music to comfort them and tell them that they aren’t alone and that they can overcome the bullying and other problems in their lives. She said:
“There’s a lot of girls that don’t feel good about themselves. I want to put in my music things that inspire them to believe that they are amazing. You just have to believe in yourself and have people that love you around you and positive people. Just grow yourself to be an amazing person. I can learn a lot from the people that don’t like me so much, and from that, I can get stronger.”
Amanda still has a way to go to make it big, but she is clearly on the right path.
She has an amazing voice and a story that deserves to be shared. She also has a purpose and goal to help others. If anyone deserves to hear that Golden Buzzer, it’s Amanda. This teenager is going to make a difference in the lives of a lot of people, and her music is going to help her do that. Good luck to her as she continues on to the next round of the show.
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