Arts & Entertainment
Northbrook Teen Opera Singer Moves to Semifinal Round of 'America's Got Talent' (UPDATED)
Watch Laura Bretan, 14, kill it with her performance of "The Prayer" during the show's live quarterfinals.
UPDATED (11:01 p.m. Wednesday, July 27): Surprising no one, Northbrook's Laura Bretan advanced Wednesday to the semifinal round of America's Got Talent.
Find out how she wowed the show's judges, as well as viewers, with her cover of "The Prayer" during Tuesday's live episode of NBC's talent show.
ORIGINAL STORY
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There was a reason Northbrook teen opera singer Laura Bretan was the final performance on Tuesday night's episode of America's Got Talent.
That's because no one this side of Maria Callas could have delivered the stirring, soulful musical performance that the 14-year-old did with her rendition of "The Prayer" during the live quarterfinals of the NBC talent show.
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"Where does this voice come from? It is incredible! And so powerful! My gosh!" said judge and former Spice Girl Mel B. after Laura's performance. "Literally, I'm shaking inside."
Judge Heidi Klum also had a physical reaction to the teen's performance.
"I have chills," she said. "Every hair on my body is standing up."
Even judge and show creator Simon Cowell, known for his inability to let no harsh criticism go unsaid, was practically gushing over Laura's singing.
"Laura, this is why we made the show, so that we can find people like you," he said, adding that singing "The Prayer" was "a brilliant, brilliant song choice." "You are such a special, talented person."
After hearing all that praise, Laura was wiping away tears while host Nick Cannon interviewed her.
"This just means so much to mean, and being here tonight really means a lot," she said.
Watch Laura Bretan's performance on "America's Got Talent"
Viewers will vote on whether Laura will move on to the show's semifinal round, and the results will be announced on Wednesday's show, which airs at 7 p.m. And if Twitter reaction is any indication, Laura should be a shoo-in to advance.
Call the MET #AGT @TheLauraBretan is in the house! LIKE @SimonCowell said YOU are the reason for this comp! As @heidiklum said INCREDIBLE
— Ray Macon (@RayMacon1) July 27, 2016
I can only vote 10 times for each of the @nbcagt acts. Wish I can vote infiniti more times for @TheLauraBretan. #jawdroppingperformamce
— Cameron Ocampo (@ThatSwampLife1) July 27, 2016
I don't like opera or understand these songs but this girl is good. @TheLauraBretan #AGT so much power wow!
— Jenny (@JennySanchezxo) July 27, 2016
Laura has been singing since she was 4, but it wasn't until four years ago that she became interested in opera after listening to arias while exploring other musical genres, according to her America's Got Talent bio. Now, she wants to share her love of opera and inspire other teens to give the musical form a try.
PHOTO: Laura Bretan on "America's Got Talent." (NBC)
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