EASLEY — She’s the little girl who just won’t give up.
After being eliminated on July 30 from NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” 13-year-old Easley native Ansley Burns returned to the show after snagging one of the coveted Wild Card slots and landing her on Tuesday’s live performance.
“When they (AGT producers) called me back (to the show) I was screaming, I was crying a little bit,” Ansley said. “I was SO excited!”
Well, if she was nervous about her return, she didn’t show it — and her performance of “Swingin’” by Leann Rimes had both the judges and the audience on their feet, clapping along.
(And for once, she wasn’t stopped mid-performance and asked to sing a cappella.)
Still in danger of elimination (again) voters had 30 minutes to cast their ballots to see which acts in the bottom three (including Ansley) would be saved — and move on to the semi-finals.
Tensions were high on the stage, but voters finally put Ansley through to the next round and she burst into tears.
“I can’t express how I’m feeling,” she said on stage. “I never thought I would be here and be able to come back. I love you guys so freakin’ much!”
Judge Simon Cowell called her “unstoppable,” and that fans “like you, support you, they admire your spirit. And I genuinely believe this; there is much more to come from you.”
On an interview with Access shown before the live performances, Ansley said she already has plans for if she wins the $1 million prize.
”I would give some to my school, I would give some to my church and I would buy my Mama a beach house — because that’s all she ever talks about,” said Ansley. “And she’s (Mama) so sweet and she does a lot for me.
She also added that she would “probably” buy her dad a new truck and buy her brother something.
The semi-finals for America’s Got Talent airs on Sept. 3 and 10, with result shows on Sept. 4 and 11. There will be 22 acts performing, including Ansley.
At the end, 10 acts will be put through to the finals.
We’re cheering for you, girl!
