It has been a whirlwind couple of years for Co Down singer Sophie Lennon (14), with the undoubted highlight her appearance on America’s Got Talent.
Airing tonight, audiences in the US and many other countries will see Sophie, from Mayobridge, singing a piano version of Cher’s classic Believe.
Speaking to The Irish News, now the closely guarded secret is out, Sophie’s mum, Theresa, told how Simon Cowell had been responsible for the trans-Atlantic “opportunity of a lifetime”.
“Back in February, Britain’s Got Talent invited Sophie to audition, for the second time. She had got through to the semi-final as a reserve in 2022 but had not been picked.
“Well, the audience went crazy for her. They were all on their feet after the first few lines of her song. She got a standing ovation and the judges said she had an amazing voice. Simon Cowell kept saying she’s like something out of Disney.
“We got word three weeks later to say she was picked as a semi-finalist. We were so, so excited.”
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They then received an email from executive producer of America’s Got Talent to say Simon Cowell wanted Sophie to audition for America’s Got Talent instead.
We were in absolute shock. Sophie is the first person from Northern Ireland and the second from Ireland to appear on the show.
“Unbelievably, within a week, Sophie’s America’s Got Talent appearance was done and dusted. The hard part was keeping this under our hats all these months,” she said.
Sophie’s America’s Got Talent audition was filmed in the 4,000-seater Pasadena Civic Centre in California. Theresa said it went “brilliantly”, with Simon Cowell congratulating her on her standing ovation.
The judges were comedian Howie Mandel, supermodel Heidi Klum, actor Sofía Vergara, and Cowell himself.
Sophie said she had been “really nervous” before she walked on stage.
“I was super excited at the same time. I think that’s what helped me,” added the Sacred Heart Grammar School pupil.
“Then all the nerves just left me, and I just felt so comfortable on the stage. Seeing the judges and the audience, I just couldn’t believe I was on America’s Got Talent.
“I was buzzing to talk to the judges and let them hear my voice. Everybody was cheering and I just felt so special. The two minutes, or however long it was, felt like 20 seconds it went by so quickly. I wish I could do it again.
“The judges were so lovely to me. I think Simon is the nicest of them all. He sometimes comes over as a bit cross on TV, but he has a heart of gold in real life. He is so sweet.
“I would also like to thank my fantastic teacher, Fiona Flynn for being an amazing and supportive teacher to me.”
Sophie’s performance on America’s Got Talent will air tonight, Tuesday, July 23. Sophie will know in September if she has got through to the next stages of the show.
