When 15-year-old Amanda Menna stood before the America’s Got Talent panel, she carried a powerful story of resilience. Having moved from the Dominican Republic to Boston at age four without knowing a word of English, Amanda faced intense bullying and isolation as a child. Guided by her mother’s wisdom and a deep love for singing, she channeled all of her past pain directly into her music.
Taking the stage with quiet confidence, Amanda chose to perform Aretha Franklin’s legendary soul classic, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”—one of the most difficult powerhouse ballads in music history.
From the very first note, Amanda’s rich, soulful tone sent waves through the auditorium. By the time she reached the iconic chorus, her soaring vocal range and effortless passion brought all four judges and the entire audience to their feet in amazement.
Key performance highlights:
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Overcoming Adversity: Turned years of childhood bullying and language barriers into emotional depth and resilience.
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Mastering a Soul Classic: Delivered an effortless rendition of Aretha Franklin’s famous hit that wowed Simon Cowell.
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Mel B’s Ultimate Tribute: Spice Girl Mel B stood up, delivered a fierce message to Amanda’s past bullies, and hit the coveted Golden Buzzer, showering the teenager in golden confetti.
Simon Cowell commended Amanda for possessing “genuinely natural soul,” praising her performance as an audition the judges would remember for a long time. With golden confetti raining down around her, Amanda proved that her voice was vastly bigger than any criticism she had ever faced.
Watch the full performance on YouTube:
