Shy Teen Bullied for Her Accent Steps on AGT Stage—Seconds Later, the Judges Are on Their Feet
When 15-year-old Amanda Mena walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage, her nerves were visible. Her hands shook. Her voice trembled. She looked more like a scared child than a powerhouse vocalist. But what happened next left everyone stunned—including the judges.
Born in the Dominican Republic and brought to the U.S. at just four years old, Amanda’s journey hasn’t been easy. She arrived not knowing a single word of English. Kids teased her about her accent and her weight. Everything that made her different became something to mock.
But through it all, Amanda found one safe haven: music.
Standing under the bright lights of AGT, Amanda shared her story with the judges—how she fought through bullying, how she found her voice, and how singing made her feel strong again. Then came the moment.
The first notes of Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman” rang out… and Amanda was transformed.
Gone was the shy girl. In her place was a vocal powerhouse with a voice far beyond her years. Amanda’s soulful delivery and incredible control stunned the audience. It sounded like she’d been performing for decades.
By the time she hit the final notes, every single person was on their feet. Even Simon Cowell, known for being notoriously hard to impress, was amazed.
“This is an audition we’ll remember for a long time,” he said.
Mel B was speechless—but only for a moment. She wiped away tears and turned to Amanda with words that cut deep:
“This is for all those bullies who made you feel like you weren’t good enough.”
Then she slammed the golden buzzer, sending Amanda straight to the live shows.
✨ It was a moment of pure triumph—a young girl rising above the hate to claim her place on stage.
Watch Amanda’s unforgettable audition below. Share her powerful story and her breathtaking performance. She made Aretha proud—and she’s making millions believe again.