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The panel of judges couldn’t contain their awe when Malea Emma stepped onto the stage and began to sing. Initially deemed adorable, the moment she unleashed her voice, they were completely astounded.
The iconic strains of «The Star-Spangled Banner,» America’s national anthem, heralded the return of Season 17 of American Idol in a much-anticipated fashion.
Yet, the selection of the performer was far from expected. Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan found themselves rising to their feet, hands over hearts, as a diminutive seven-year-old graced the stage.
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja had previously skyrocketed to online fame after her rendition of the American National Anthem at a Major League Soccer match in September 2018. Following an Instagram competition against hundreds of contenders, Malea Emma emerged victorious, earning her the spotlight.
The young girl’s powerful vocals, emanating from her petite stature, left the audience at the soccer game spellbound. Her performance garnered such attention that Malea Emma was promptly invited for a David Muir interview on ABC World News that very day.
Subsequently, host Ryan Seacrest extended an invitation for Malea Emma to appear on his radio show, «On Air with Ryan Seacrest.» Ryan, impressed by her talent, took the initiative to inform the American Idol producers about this remarkable young talent.
The American Idol producers swiftly arranged for Malea Emma and her parents to travel to Idaho for an audition in front of the judges at the show’s season premiere. While the judges initially found the young girl endearing, their jaws dropped when she unleashed her singing prowess. Malea Emma’s confident, resounding voice filled the room, leaving the judges in awe.
Clad in a charming floral dress and a pink jacket, Malea Emma exuded confidence as she belted out the challenging anthem. It was evident that performing in front of a crowd was nothing new to her.
With flawless vocal control, she effortlessly navigated the song, hitting the high notes with ease. Adding her own flair with magnificent falsetto notes and a creative finale, Malea Emma left the judges stunned.
Luke Bryan couldn’t help but exclaim, «A seven-year-old is outsinging us.» Overwhelmed by her talent, the judges awarded her a Golden Ticket, guaranteeing her a spot in Hollywood in 2027, given that the minimum age requirement for American Idol participants is 15.
At just seven years old, Malea Emma is already poised to become a remarkable vocalist, armed with a Golden Ticket as evidence of her extraordinary talent. There’s no doubt that this young girl was born to sing!
Here is the video:
