9-Year-Old Angelica Hale Wows Judges with Powerful ‘Rise Up’ Audition on AGT

In 2017, Angelica Hale, a 9-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia, took the America’s Got Talent stage with a dream to become the next Whitney Houston. Dressed in a red plaid shirt and pink pants, she introduced herself with a smile that belied her nerves.

As she began singing “Rise Up” by Andra Day, the audience and judges were immediately captivated. Her powerful voice and emotional delivery earned her a standing ovation and unanimous praise from the judges. Simon Cowell remarked on her incredible talent, while the other judges expressed their amazement at her performance.

Angelica’s audition quickly went viral, showcasing her as a standout talent in the competition. Her journey on AGT continued to inspire viewers, highlighting her resilience and extraordinary vocal ability. What made Angelica’s performance even more powerful was the journey behind her voice. At just four years old, she battled a life-threatening illness and received a kidney transplant from her mother. Standing on that stage years later, her voice wasn’t just technically impressive — it was filled with resilience, gratitude, and hope. Every note she sang carried the weight of a little girl who had already overcome more than most adults.

Watch her full performance here: