It takes an immense amount of courage for any singer to tackle a legendary Broadway anthem on national television. It takes even more guts to do it at just 13 years old in front of Simon Cowell. But during the 2025 auditions of America’s Got Talent, Phoenix native Evelyn Errante did exactly that, bringing her lifetime dream of musical theater directly to the big stage.
Her performance of one of Broadway’s most technically demanding songs sparked a captivating debate among the judges about raw potential versus perfection.
A Superstar Ambition
From the moment Evelyn walked out, her infectious energy and bright smile lit up the room. When asked about her ultimate goals, she didn’t hesitate to dream big.
“I want to be on Broadway. I love musical theater,” Evelyn shared, before adding, “And I want to go into mainstream at some point and be a superstar and just make people happy.”
To achieve that dream, Evelyn chose to perform “Defying Gravity” from the smash-hit musical Wicked. The song is famous for its massive vocal range, intricate emotional phrasing, and a soaring final belt that has challenged even seasoned professional divas for decades.
Tackling the Impossible Notes
As the iconic intro music began, Evelyn fully immersed herself in the character of Elphaba. Singing with a sweet, clear tone, she handled the narrative verses beautifully, showcasing a natural theatrical instinct that is incredibly rare for a 13-year-old.
As the arrangement built toward the song’s explosive climax, Evelyn dug deep to deliver the sweeping high notes. While the sheer difficulty of the song pushed her vocal control to its absolute limits, her passion and determination were undeniable. By the time she held out the final dramatic note, a massive portion of the auditorium erupted into cheers, completely won over by her effort and charisma.
A Divided Panel: The Critique
The feedback from the judges highlighted a fascinating split between appreciating Evelyn’s natural star quality and critiquing the technical execution of such a massive song.
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The Princess Quality: Sofía Vergara was thoroughly charmed by Evelyn’s presence, telling her, “You are perfect for what you want to do. It was very beautiful. You could be like a princess… I think you’re going to go very, very far.”
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The Reality Check: Heidi Klum, drawing from her own experience performing on Broadway twice, offered constructive industry advice. “The good thing is you can sing like that at 13. By the time you get to 18, your voice is going to be amazing… It’s hard work. It wasn’t perfect, you’ve got a lot of work to do, but I’m going to say yes.”
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The Modern Dissenter: Howie Mandel admitted that musical theater simply wasn’t a genre he personally responded to, and keeping true to his perspective, he handed down a “No” vote.
Simon’s Crucial Verdict
With one “No” from Howie and two “Yeses” from Sofía and Heidi, the final decision rested entirely on Simon Cowell. Simon admitted that he historically struggles with the song itself, but he looked past the track to focus on the young singer’s drive.
“You’ve got a lot of guts to come out here and sing that song,” Simon told her. “I do believe that you’ve got so much ambition. We should encourage someone like you on this show.”
With that endorsement, Simon delivered the decisive third “Yes” to send Evelyn through to the next round. Backstage, the celebration was immense, with the crew noting that Evelyn’s sheer ambition and crowd support made her an incredibly exciting project for vocal coaches to develop. Evelyn proved that while the path to Broadway is paved with hard work, she has the heart and the voice to begin the journey.
