Brown stunned the judges with a soulful rendition of Andra Day’s “Rise Up” that is easily comparable to the sound of Jennifer Hudson. Still, it’s Brown’s story that is even more awe-inspiring.
“Right now, finances are a real struggle for me and my mom,” said a tearful Brown, adding that she and her mother are currently homeless. “That’s why I’m trying to do everything I can to pay her back.”
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Brown took the stage visibly shaking with nerves, especially because One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson was a guest judge for the night. She could only muster a shy hello when Howie Mandel asked her if she wanted to say anything to Tomlinson, but any weakness in her voice ended the second she started singing.
Tomlinson called her performance “infectious” and teasingly held his hand over the golden buzzer before slamming it down. Brown’s mother was brought to her knees as gold confetti poured down on her daughter, who embraced Tomlinson before running to find her mom in the audience.
“That voice, for a 14-year-old, such a gorgeous recording voice. You should be very excited, very excited,” said Tomlinson, who knows a thing or two about talent-seeking shows after being discovered on Britain’s “The X Factor.”
“You, young lady, have just turned this competition upside down,” said notoriously harsh judge Simon Cowell.
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Don’t miss the live shows beginning on July 26 to watch this season’s incredible acts battle it out for the grand prize.
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, and Liam Payne of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
One Direction Celebrate The Release Of Album "Four" On NBC Today Show
ORLANDO, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Harry Styles of One Direction appears on NBC's Today Show to release their new album 'Four' at Universal City Walk At Universal Orlando on November 17, 2014 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
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Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan of the band One Direction with Matt Lauer and Al Roker appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: Niall Horan of the band One Direction appears on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: Liam Payne of the band One Direction appears on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson of the band One Direction with Matt Lauer appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
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Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Niall horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson of the band One Direction with Al Roker appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Al Roker, Matt Lauer, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Al Roker and Matt Lauer with Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Al Roker and Matt Lauer with Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
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Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan of the band One Direction, Al Roker, and Matt Lauer appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Matt Lauer with Harry Styles of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Al Roker takes a photo of Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Harry Styles of the band One Direction while Matt Lauer looks on during the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Matt Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Matt Lauer, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Harry Styles and Niall Horan of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Today - Season 64
TODAY -- Pictured: (l-r) Harry Styles and Niall Horan of the band One Direction appear on the 'Today' show from Universal Orlando Resort on Monday, November 17, 2014 -- (Photo by: Jeff Daly/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
38,398 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?38,398 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others?
