Putri Ariani, a 17-year-old blind singer from Indonesia, delivered a stunning performance on America’s Got Talent (AGT) that earned her a Golden Buzzer from judge Simon Cowell.
Putri, who as an eight-year-old won Indonesia’s Got Talent in 2014, auditioned for AGT on June 6, with an original song that she played on the piano.
Her song showcased her powerful and distinctive voice and moved the audience and the judges. Cowell was so impressed that he asked her to sing another song for him.
Putri obliged and sang a cover of Elton John’s Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word, which she dedicated to Cowell.
While the other judges, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum, and Howie Mandell were full of praise for Putri, Cowell went a step further and pressed the Golden Buzzer for Putri, sending her straight to the live shows stage of the talent competition. He walked up to the stage again to hug Putri and told her that she was “one of the best singers we’ve ever had on our show.”
Putri mentioned that her dream was to go get admitted to Juilliard in New York City, which is one of the most prestigious performing arts schools in the world.
Back in Indonesia, Putri is being celebrated for her astonishing performance, with her name among the top trending topics on Twitter today. Among those to congratulate her were the US’ ambassador to Indonesia.
Comedian Kiky Saputri said she could not contain her tears and goosebumps from watching Putri’s performance.
Putri is now one of the finalists of AGT season 18, which premiered on May 30. She will compete with other acts from different genres and backgrounds for the grand prize of US$1 million and a headline show in Las Vegas.
Putri, whose full name is Ariani Nisma Putri, was born on December 31, 2005, in Bangkinang, Kampar, Riau. She started singing when she was two years old, imitating the sounds she heard. Her parents supported her talent and enrolled her in a music school. Following her Indonesia’s Got Talent victory, Putri went on to release a studio album and numerous singles. One of the highlights of her young career so far was performing at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta.
