One local seventh-grade student is hoping to show America that Carter County’s got talent.
For 12-year-old India Davis, singing has been a lifelong passion, and her dream is to become a singer-songwriter. Last month, she got to take one step closer to making her dream a reality when she auditioned for the hit television reality show “America’s Got Talent,” which airs during the spring and summer on NBC.
“The experience of getting to audition was amazing,” India said.
India attended auditions for the contest Nov. 5 in Nashville. Those auditioning had an early start and a long day, India recalled. They arrived at 5:30 a.m. on a Wednesday morning and waited a long time for their names to be called.
“It was so packed,” India said, adding she had to wait hours before being called in to audition.
The hopefuls were taken into a room three at a time, she said, then one by one, the judges called their names.
“You had to step to the middle of the floor and tell them your name, your age, where you were from and what you were going to do,” India said.
Those auditioning for the show did not have long to impress the judges.
“It was only a 90-second audition,” she said.
For her performance, Davis chose the song “Still My Girl” by One Direction, which is her favorite band.
“Some people say I’m obsessed with them, but I say dedicated,” she said as she laughed.
But the band was not the only reason behind her song choice.
“It has a really good up beat to it,” India said. “I noticed while I was singing the judges were tapping their toes and kind of dancing. I think I picked the right song.”
As she prepared for her big audition, Davis said she expected to be nervous when the time came to sing in front of the judges.
“Once I got in there, though, I was surprisingly confident,” she said. “It took me a few seconds to process what exactly was going on, but I wasn’t nervous.”
Perhaps her years of experience singing in front of a crowd helped calm her nerves. India, the daughter of Monica Edwards and James Davis, began singing at the tender age of 6.
“My first time singing was in church, and I’ve been singing ever since,” she said, adding for that first performance she sang “Amazing Grace.”
Over the years, India’s love of music continued to grow into something more. She now sees herself pursuing a career in music.
“My dad has been there with me through this whole singing thing,” she said, recalling trips to a local music store with her father. “My mom thinks it’s just kind of a dream, but this is really what I want to do.”
Her friends and schoolmates at Happy Valley Middle School also have been very supportive, she said.
“So many people have been telling me they are pulling for me, and if I make it, they are going to vote for me,” India said. “Nobody seems to be jealous either.”
Auditions for the 10th season of “America’s Got Talent” are going on in several cities across the country through the end of February.
“There are two auditions,” Davis said. “If you make it through this one, then they fly you out to Hollywood for the second one.”
While Davis did not find out whether she passed the audition that day in Nashville, she said she is confident she performed well. Those who passed the first round of auditions will be contacted by the end of April, according to the television show’s website. Until then, Davis is holding on to her confidence and continuing to perform music. She and her best friend often work together writing songs and music.