Angelica Hale, the lucky (no, deserving!) golden buzzer recipient, is no ordinary girl. At the tender age of 11, Angelica has already had to battle hard once before. But not on the stage.
At the age of 4, Angelica’s young life was in serious danger after she was diagnosed with a severe bacterial pneumonia. The disease ravaged her kidneys, so much so that Angelica’s distraught mother donated the kidney for transplant that eventually saved Angelica’s life.
Angelica was in a medically induced coma for 18 months but pulled through, showing what a trooper she really is. She is left with permanent scarring in her right lung and will live with the consequences of her illness for the rest of her life, but her spirits, if anything, have risen to the top.
Life is fragile. The young Angelica and her family knew that the best way forward was to embrace life and make the absolute most of Angelica’s second chance.
And so is Angelica!
Angelica chose “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten as her first audition number and quickly proved to both judges and the audience that she’s serious, and she won’t be going home without a fight. The song perfectly showcased Angelica’s energy, her improved vocal prowess, and her infectiously feisty attitude.
Judge Mel B encouraged Angelica to add more of her own personality to the song. Judge Howie Mandel’s actions, however, spoke louder than his words. He simply leaned over and hit the golden buzzer, to roars of elation from the crowd. Two golden buzzers from two different judges; Angelica is a record breaker!
Chris Hardwick was the smitten judge that backed Angelica the first time around.
“I feel like I’m living in a dream,” sobbed Angelica, who will be fast-tracked to the next round of the show.
Viewers are rooting for her.
