On the America’s Got Talent stage, Sara James, a gifted 13-year-old from Poland, made the long journey to the United States to demonstrate that dreams do come true. The young singer and the frequently intimidating judge immediately clicked after she had a beautiful interaction with Simon Cowell prior to her performance, during which he disclosed his own Polish ancestry. According to Sara, she grew up watching YouTube footage of the performance in Poland and thought that America would be the best place to finally see if her dream of becoming a professional singer might come true.
It’s dangerous for any artist, much less a teenager, to pick a song as emotionally charged as Billie Eilish’s “Lovely,” yet Sara was able to make it uniquely her own. Her performance left the audience in utter stillness with its eerie beauty and display of vocal maturity and control. She was obviously conveying a story that affected everyone in the room as she negotiated the intricate lyrics and high notes. Simon reported that he had a “good feeling” about her from the minute she left, demonstrating the judges’ obvious admiration.
Simon Cowell’s decision to make Sara’s first trip to America genuinely unforgettable, after being inspired by her “star glow” and extraordinary skill, was the audition’s high point. He talked about his personal recollections of arriving in the United States decades ago and expressed his desire to provide Sara with an unforgettable occasion. He made a bold move by pressing the Golden Buzzer, which sent the young Polish girl right to the live performances and covered her in gold glitter. Sara was overcome with emotion, demonstrating that a lengthy journey and a lofty goal can, in fact, result in a success that changes one’s life.
