We're only a few episodes into the 13th season of America's Got Talent, and it's looking like it might be the best one yet.
Every year, hundreds of people audition for the talent competition, but only a few hopefuls make it through to the live shows for a chance at winning a contract as well as the $1 million prize.
Over the years, we've seen many acts from all over the world, from singers and dancers, to magicians and ventriloquists, wow us and the celebrity judges with their performances. Just when we thought nothing could surprise us anymore, we are proven wrong.
Only four episodes have aired so far and out of the nine acts that will get the Golden Buzzer, which guarantees a ticket to the live shows in Hollywood, four have already been determined.
Among them is a 15-year-old girl named Amanda Mena from Boston, Massachusetts.
Like many kids her age, Amanda experienced a lot of bullying while growing up. She was teased for not being able to speak English after her family moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic when she was four.
"When I came here, I didn't know a word of English," she told the judges before her performance. "I got bullied a lot, so, all that kind of gave me tough skin."
With the help of her mother, Amanda turned to music as a coping mechanism, and now, eleven years later, she made it to one of the biggest stages in America.
She took on one of the hardest songs by Aretha Franklin, "Natural Woman," and had the entire audience on their feet by the end of her goosebumps-inducing rendition. It's hard to believe that a 15-year-old can produce such amazing vocals.
"Do you know what you have, Amanda?" Simon asked. "You have generally natural soul. This is an audition we're going to remember for a long time."
But it was Mel B. who gave Amanda what she really wanted - the Golden Buzzer.
"I love you, I love your voice...and this is what I'm going to say to all those bullies," the former Spice Girl said before hitting the button.
Turns out, AGT wasn't Amanda's first talent competition. She was crowned winner of La Voz (The Voice) Kids when she was just 11 years old.
She sang Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You" for her audition, have a listen:
She's definitely going to go far on this season of AGT!
What did you think of her performance?
