Ashley Marina didn’t crumble.
Tough-love judge Simon Cowell stopped the 12-year-old from Pittsburgh midway through a rendition of “Anyway” on “America’s Got Talent” Tuesday. He told her the music was “overbearing.”
He then asked her to sing a different song a cappella, allowing that she had a good voice. Ashley obliged, again showing vocal chops on “Opportunity.”
Nuh-uh, Simon said. “I think you brought the wrong songs with you today.”
The crowd booed. The tension rose.
Then judge Sofia Vergara suggested giving Ashley a third chance. The panelists had her go backstage and come up with a more appropriate song.
Ashley struggled. The clock was ticking.
She finally opted for an original song about her dad, Mark. “I know I can get into this because I wrote it,” she told the judges.
Ashley did her and her dad proud on the song. And she advanced in the competition.
“Well, I think we finally met Ashley,” Cowell said. “I can’t tell you how important that is.”
Watch the talent show drama above.
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