Arts & Entertainment
'America's Got Talent' Judges Give Northbrook Teen Opera Singer a Standing Ovation (VIDEO)
Laura Bretan gave another moving performance during the show's live semifinal round Tuesday.
There are only two acceptable reactions after hearing 14-year-old Laura Bretan's singing voice: You either rise to your feet, clapping, or you stay seated and shed tears of joy because you've never heard such an emotionally powerful sound come from so young an individual.
The judges of America's Got Talent, as well as the live audience, went with the former response, giving the Northbrook teen a standing ovation after she performed her rendition of "Pie Jesu" during the show's semifinal round Tuesday. Bretan made it to the semifinals thanks to a rousing performance of "The Prayer" during the show's quarterfinals in July.
Now, she has to wait for Wednesday's show to see if she's one of the acts who will advance to the final round of the NBC talent show.
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Gauging by the reaction of viewers on social media, Bretan shouldn't worry about moving on for a shot at America's Got Talent's $1 million grand prize:
I detest opera but even I can tell that Laura Bretan is amazing. Good enough for radio, and her grandfather would be proud 4sure. #AGT
— Judy s Haiden (@IHeartHaiden) August 31, 2016
Just saw a video of Laura Bretan. That girl can sing. Amazing. #AmericaGotTalent
— Jamir (@jamulmer) August 31, 2016
@TheLauraBretan With all the tweets I sent, I forgot the most important item. I cast all my votes to Laura Bretan! My goodness!
— Vincent Martino (@vmartino26) August 31, 2016
@nbcagt #I don't know what she was saying but @Laura Bretan had me in tears. # Voice of An Angel.
— Charlotte Rose (@roseishome) August 31, 2016
Love Grace and Sal, but tonight was Laura Bretan's night. Spectacular! #agt
— Gina Nelson (@luvwufpack) August 31, 2016
Winning talent shows has become something of a habit for Bretan. Last year, she won competitions at New York City's Apollo Theater. In June, she was the winner of Romania's Got Talent, a show her late Romanian grandfather convinced her to compete in, according to Romania Insider.
Find out what's happening in Northbrookfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
But Bretan performing in—and ultimately winning—Romania's Got Talent has rankled a few fans of the U.S. version of the show. Those critics don't think it's fair that the teen is competing in America's Got Talent after she's already won the grand prize in another televised talent show.
Laura Bretan won AGT in Romania and shouldn't be in the competition. She's amazing but other acts don't deserve potential lost votes. #AGT
— Lisa M. Holley'wood' (@HolleywoodKid) August 31, 2016
LAURA BRETAN DID WIN ROMANIA'S GOT TALENT. That's not cool. #americasgottalent
— Ashley Stouffer (@anarchyangel846) August 31, 2016
I honestly don't even watch Laura Bretan performances. She shouldn't be on AGT
— tired (@selectivelyme) August 31, 2016
If Bretan makes it to the finals of America's Got Talent, she'll compete against four other acts in about two weeks (a second semifinal round with different contestant airs next week).
America's Got Talent: Live Semifinal Voting Results
- When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31
- Network: NBC (WMAQ-TV, Channel 5)
- More Patch Coverage: Northbrook Teen Opera Singer Moves to Semifinal Round of 'America's Got Talent'
PHOTO: Laura Bretan (Image via NBC on YouTube)
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