When Laura Bretan from Romania came to the stage of “America’s Got Talent” Season 11, nobody expected that she would belt out an opera song, much more do it with such flair and technique. She looked so frail, talked with such nervousness until she opened her mouth to perform “Nessun Dorma (None Shall Sleep),” which is from Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Turandot” to the amazement of both the judges and the audience. By the time she was true, both she and her mother, alongside a couple of audience where in tears while the whole auditorium was on their feet!
“I have never heard anything like that in all the years I have been doing this show. Seriously. It was unbelievable. What made it better is the fact that you are such a sweet person. So humble. Not even aware of how amazing you are. Thank you so much for coming on this show. That was really special, amazing,” Cowell gushed.
Fellow judge Heidi Klum said Bretan has a special “gift,” while Mel B. from the Spice Girls did one better by giving her the highly coveted Golden Buzzer, which automatically sent Bretan to the show’s semi-finals. Only five contestants each season can be given the Golden Buzzer (one buzzer per judge), and Bretan was the first contestant honoured with the distinction this season.
Bretan lives in Chicago, Illinois, and her parents are active members of the Romanian Pentecostal community, according to Charisma News. Her musical talent was first discovered after she watched “Snow White” and sang along with it when she was only six years old.
Bretan’s mother then helped develop her voice by coaching her at home and getting her involved in church. She started singing at her home church, Elim Romanian Pentecostal in Chicago, when she was eight years old. Bretan’s favourites include worship songs, Christian pop, and opera.
Watch below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCoxGV7j71c
