“America’s Got Talent” kicked off Season 12 last Tuesday (May 30) with a crackerjack show capped off by Darci Lynne Farmer, a 12-year-old ventriloquist who wowed all four judges. This talented tyke from Oklahoma City, OK already had the fearsome foursome — Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Mel B. — rooting for her with her winsome ways. She admitted that she began working with her puppet Petunia, a rascally rabbit, just two years to overcome her shyness.
There was certainly no trace of nerves when she started to perform “Summertime,” the ballad from the George Gershwin opera “Porgy & Bess,” that became a signature song for Ella Fitgerald. Her sweet little voice was soon overpowered by that of Petunia, and the two soon got into a battle for supremacy in their duet. Mel B. was so impressed by Farmer that she pressed the Golden Buzzer, sending her straight to the semi-finals that will air live on NBC, beginning on August 15.
Her decision looks to be the right one based on viewing figures. In just three days, Farmer’s audition has been watched by more than 175 million people on YouTube and Facebook. She could well become the third ventriloquist to win “America’s Got Talent” following Terry Fator and Paul Zerdin who prevailed in seasons two and 10 respectively. And last year’s winner, Grace VanderWaal, was another 12-year-old who sang.
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