Merissa Beddows is not your standard-issue opera singer!
The 23-year-old soprano wowed the judges and the audience on Tuesday night’sAmerica’s Got Talentwith a rendition ofSomewhere Over the Rainbow— while simultaneously doing pitch-perfect impressions ofAriana Grande,Céline Dion,Stevie Nicksand more.
NBC dropped a sneak peek at the episode on the show’s official YouTube page.
But he and the rest of the panel’s interest appeared to be piqued when Klum was handed a large box with six different names on it. “Heidi, I’d like to play a game,” Beddows told the model. “This die has six of my most favorite impressions that I do on it. I’m going to begin singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ as me, and then I’m going to ask you to give me a name.”
AGT
After singing the song in her own voice, Beddows seamlessly transitioned to a pitch-perfect impression of the first name Klum called out:Ariana Grande. In fact, she nailed Grande’s distinctive lilting soprano that Cowell couldn’t help but laugh at his own skepticism.
Beddows then sang as her own grandmother — an impression that drew laughs from the audience — before transitioning to Nicks, Dion, and Snow White.
She ended with a hilarious spoken-verse as Siri, catapulting the audience (and all four judges) into a standing ovation.
Viewers will have to wait until Tuesday night to see how Beddows does, and if she gets one of the coveted golden buzzers up for grabs.
From left: Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, Terry Crews, Sofia Vergara, Simon Cowell.Trae Patton/NBC
She recently graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia with a degree in voice, according to her alma mater, who proudly touted herAmerica’s Got Talentaudition on the school’swebsite.
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Beddows' success comes at the same time as she is dealing with personal issues. She recently started aGoFundMefor her mother, who has been battling health problems. On the fundraising site, the singer wrote that she has been the sole caretaker of her mother after her father died and that she had to take a leave of absence from her conservatory at one point.
“I have been a caregiver and primary advocate to my mother since the age of 11,” she posted. “My goal is to raise $25,000 to send my mom to a long-term facility where I know she will be in safe hands.”
America’s Got Talentmight help with that. Among the prize package for winners is a a cash prize of $1 million.
New episodes ofAmerica’s Got Talentair Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
source: people.com
