As the lights went out and the crowd became hushed in anticipation, a small girl, no older than 10, strolled boldly onto the stage.
She held a microphone in front of the judges, who included the notoriously harsh Simon Cowell, who is notorious for his biting critiques.
Her strength and purity of voice captivated everyone in the auditorium as it reverberated across the space. The words were filled with genuine emotion, with every note falling just where it was supposed to. There was a noticeable change in the atmosphere as she sang, a tangible energy circulating the space.
