14 September 2017

Angelica Hale Marches To The AGT Final Round

Angelica Hale AGT
Fil-American Angelica Hale performed "Without You" for the "America’s Got Talent" semifinals last 12 September.

She may be one of the smallest contestants on season 12 of the show, but she has one of the biggest sets of pipes. The 10-year-old's journey began with a performance of "Rise Up" for her audition. While that try-out was very well-received by the judges, the contestant's status in the NBC competition greatly improved during the Judge Cuts round, when Chris Hardwick awarded Hale the Golden Buzzer advantage. That secured her spot in the Top 36 and led to the aspiring star’s rendition of "Clarity" for the live quarterfinals.

All four judges gave a standing ovation, and, though he already knew the answer, Howie Mandel asked afterward, "Why are you in it?" Hale adorably replied, "I’m in it to win it!" The comedian then told the little girl, "I think you might."

However, she needs to get through the penultimate round of the reality show. Along with 10 other acts, Hale took the stage at the Dolby Theater in hopes of winning one of the five remaining slots for next week's big finale. In her pre-taped opening, the pint-sized singer said, "I cannot believe I'm going to be performing for all of America again."

Well, she did, and she closed the two-hour broadcast with Usher and David Guetta’s "Without You." After all the judges gave a standing ovation, Mel B said, "You literally have the voice of an absolute angel." She said the "brave" song choice wasn't "perfect," but the tween "owned it."

Heidi Klum declared, "I think you are a phenomenon. And you, young lady, are my personal favorite, and I hope America agrees with me."

Cowell revealed that strangers have been telling him how "fantastic" Hale is, and he further told her, "You deserve to be there next week, you really do." And Mandel said, "Another wow moment, for years, and that range, and the control you have with that voice. You made tonight tougher than it could ever be." He added, "What a great closing to our show."

After the voting was tallied, Angelica Hale is through to the next round. She beat Merrick Hanna and Christian Guardino.