Thirteen-year-old Evelyn Aronte from Phoenix, Arizona, stepped onto the stage with an infectious, self-assured energy, immediately impressing the judges with her clarity of vision. She declared she was “pumped” and stated her dream was not just to be a singer, but to be on Broadway, enter the mainstream, and ultimately become a superstar like her idol, Cynthia Erivo. The judges noted her incredible focus, with Howie Mandel commenting that the best auditions come from those who know exactly what they want. With such high expectations set for a singer so young, Evelyn had a huge challenge ahead: to prove that her raw potential was equal to her grand ambitions.
For her audition, Evelyn chose one of musical theater’s most demanding anthems: “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked. The moment she opened her mouth, the audience was stunned. Evelyn’s voice possessed a staggering maturity and theatrical flair that was completely unexpected for a 13-year-old. She navigated the song’s complex high notes and dynamic changes with the control and conviction of a seasoned Broadway veteran. By the time she finished, the entire theater was roaring, having witnessed a monumental performance that transformed the young girl into a fully-fledged diva right before their eyes.
The judging panel was visibly affected by the power of her performance. Heidi Klum called her “perfect” and predicted she would go “very, very far,” while Sofia Vergara compared her potential to a princess. The notoriously critical Simon Cowell confessed that while he couldn’t stand the song, he was forced to respect Evelyn’s undeniable talent and ambition. He praised her “guts” to sing such a challenging piece and ultimately decided that such determination must be encouraged on the show. Despite one judge’s initial resistance, Evelyn’s sheer talent won the panel over, earning her three “yeses” and a clear path toward her superstar dreams.
