One who becomes successful in their craft knows that the key to that success is never ever giving up. And though Johnny Manuel has had some disappointment in his career, he got back up and tried again.
When the Flint, Michigan native was just 14-years-old he was signed to Warner Bros. Records, according to Michigan Live.
During his time with the label, he got to open for N’Sync, Jessica Simpson, and Jill Scott.
He was reportedly signed to the label, as Lil’ Johnny, after covering a Run-D.M.C. song, according to America’s Got Talent Wiki.
Unfortunately, Manuel was eventually dropped from his label and had to go back to working other common jobs.
“It didn’t work out,” Manuel explained. “As a kid, I thought I was going to take off and see the stars, obviously it didn’t happen this way.”
His passion for music, however, never died and he found himself auditioning for NBC’s America’s Got Talent’s Season 12 judges, Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel.
“You still have the dream, what do you hope can happen off the back of this,” Cowell asked him just before his audition.
“I hope what can happen is that I’m finally able to be who I am and present myself and my music to the world,” Manuel explained to the judges.
They wished him the best of luck with his audition but Manuel did not need it.
He absolutely stunned both the judges and the crowd with his rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing.” He hit every single high note beautifully and was impeccable in his delivery.
His performance was so good that audience members began to stand up mid-performance and cheer him on. They didn’t even wait until the end to give him a standing ovation.
It was so good that they couldn’t wait. The judges smiled widely during his performance with Mandel letting a “wow” slip out.
Even host Tyra Banks was impressed, “Whitney hears you honey,” she said.
Mandel lept to his feet and clapped wildly after the performance and the other three judges soon followed. Manuel got the green light from all four judges to advance to the next round. This just may be Manuel’s chance to launch himself back into the world of music.
The world will surely be watching his next moves in the competition. Good luck Manuel!
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