Ashley Marina, a talented 12-year-old vocalist, became well-known during the 2021 season of *America’s Got Talent* (AGT). She became well-known for her powerful voice and captivating stage presence, and both the judges and the crowd were thrilled by her performances. Ashley’s emotional rendition of Andra Day’s “Rise Up” opened her AGT audition and really resonated with the judges. She received a standing ovation for her audition from all four judges, including Simon Cowell, who was particularly touched by her performance.
Despite her young, Ashley’s exceptional maturity and command of her voice set her apart from the other contenders. Her vocal prowess and emotional attachment to the music were both evident in her performances, which the judges watched throughout her challenge.
In one very notable case, Simon Cowell interrupted Ashley’s audition performance twice. This may surprise you, but it was part of Simon’s usual strong yet helpful approach. He first stopped her to offer feedback, encourage her to believe in her own skills, and improve the performance. Simon’s intervention didn’t stop Ashley from performing; on the contrary, it improved her performance, and she ended with a strong vocal performance.
Ashley’s performance on *AGT* garnered a lot of attention despite her defeat in the competition, and her talent continues to propel her to the top of the music industry. Her ability to accept constructive criticism and apply it to enhance her performance was a testament to her tenacity and dedication to her craft, qualities that would likely benefit her in her future employment.
