Chicago-Area Teen Reacts to Support After Shocking ‘America's Got Talent' Audition

One week after she wowed judges with her opera singing on the season 11 premiere of “America’s Got Talent,” Chicago-area teen Laura Bretan said she is honored by the response to her audition.

“It was just awesome to see how many people responded and reacted to my video,” Bretan told NBC Chicago. “It was an honor.”

The timid teen stunned audience members with her beautiful vocals, bringing many tears before the judges praised her performance.

“That didn’t just happen,” Simon Cowell said. “Honest to God you came out like a jelly, I didn’t think you were going to be able to talk. And then I’m thinking to myself, 'Oh my God if she starts to sing this is not going to work.' And then that just happened. I have never heard anything like that in all the years I’ve been doing this show. Seriously. It was unbelievable.” 

Then former Spice Girl Melanie Brown gave Bretan the ultimate praise, hitting her golden buzzer and sending Bretan straight to the live shows, slated to begin in July.

“She’s blessed,” said vocal coach Nicole Roman. “That’s the best way of putting it.” 

Bretan started singing in church when she was 4 years old. In the years since, she has competed in several local contests and even sand the national anthem at a White Sox game. 

She revealed she's auditioned for "America's Got Talent" before, but not made it. 

"I just kept on trying and trying," she said. 

It wasn’t until she went to Romania for her grandfather’s funeral in January that she auditioned for “Romania’s Got Talent.” 

“I wanted to make this in his honor,” Bretan said. “See me on that stage in Romania.” 

Last weekend, she won "Romania’s Got Talent" and now she waits to see how far she can get in the American contest. 

“It was just amazing to see how many people supported me,” she said. “I never expected this for myself.”

Thousands audition for the hit show, with contestants vying for a $1 million prize. “America’s Got Talent” airs at 7 p.m. Tuesdays on NBC.

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