When Mandy Harvey stepped out onto the America's Got Talent stage, she was poised, calm and confident. The judges had no idea that she would be that night's most inspiring audition.
When she was 18 years old, Harvey lost all of her hearing due to a connective tissue disorder that deteriorated her hearing nerves. At the time she was a major in Vocal Music Education at Colorado State University, but after she lost her hearing, she left the program.
After some intense soul-searching, she realized that her true life's passion could never be denied. Despite her profound hearing loss, Mandy found creative ways to reconnect to music.
Music had been a part of her since the young age of four years old. Leaving it permanently was impossible, even when faced with a seemingly impossible obstacle. But Mandy told judges that she couldn't deny it any longer:
"After I lost my hearing I gave up, but I want to do more with my life than just give up," she said, "[I] figured out how to get back into singing with muscle memory, using visual turners and trusting my pitch."
Harvey sang her own song, "Try," about continuing to pursue her dreams no matter what struggles life would throw her way.
Her soulful voice and powerful message moved the audience to tears and inspired Simon Cowell to press the coveted Golden Buzzer. Harvey might not have heard the screaming crowd as they cheered wildly for her, but there's no doubt she could feel every incredible vibration.
Can't wait to see her in the NBC talent competition's upcoming live rounds!
Visit Mandy Harvey's Website for more information and to follow her AGT journey!