9-Year-Old Impresses ‘America’s Got Talent’ Judges with Cover of Tina Turner’s Classic

Pranysqa Mishra entered America’s Got Talent with a Golden Button, which she received for singing a classic song by one of her favorite artists.

The 9-year-old Tampa, Florida native wowed judges Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel, as well as beloved host Terry Crews, with her soulful rendition of Ike and Tina Turner’s “River Deep—Mountain High” during the show’s July 2 airing.

Klum later said that such a standout performance was unexpected, likely in part because Pranysqa seemed docile and admitted that she was nervous during her pre-performance interview.

“I’ve always loved singing,” Pranysqa said. “It makes me feel happy. Even when I was 4, I pretended I had a microphone and sang as if I was singing for the whole world.”

Speaking in a video call with her grandmother, Pranysqa said she was “nervous” about singing in front of Cowell, a known stickler. But she said the moment was all part of chasing her dream.

“I feel like I’m literally dreaming because my biggest dream is to sing in front of so many people and I’m on this big stage,” she said. “Now it’s coming true.”

The judges warmly welcomed Pranysqa as she took the stage, briefly interviewing her and asking her to pick her favourite judge. Pranysqa ultimately chose Klum and Vergara, with Cowell joking about it.

As for her favorite artists, Pranysqa explained that they are Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Tina Turner. She also said who she plans to call first if she gets promoted: her grandmother.

The judges allowed her to begin her performance and Pranysqa floored the audience.

“When I was a little girl, I had a rag doll/The only doll I ever had/Now I love you just as much as I loved that rag doll/But only now has my love grown,” she sang.

“And it gets stronger in every way/And it gets deeper, let me tell you/And it gets higher every day/And do I love you, my God/Yes, deep as a river, high as a mountain — yes, yes, yes,” she continued.

Mandel and Vergara were stunned. Cowell seemed impressed, too. At the end of her performance, Pranysqa received a standing ovation from the audience and the three judges.

“Oh my God. I mean, I didn’t expect that,” Klum said.

She then bypassed the voting and pressed the Gold Button to allow Pranysqi to participate in the live rounds.

“I want you to call your grandmother and tell her Heidi Klum pressed the Golden Button for you,” she said.

Pranysqa was moved to tears. Klum met her on stage and hugged her. Pranysqa’s family also came out to hug her.

“She really, really did well, Grandma,” Klum said during a video call with her grandmother Pranysqi.

“I’m so happy for you,” Klum told the young singer.

As for that infamous pedant, well, even he praised the performance.

“I mean, she’s really, really good,” Cowell said.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com