Shy in the Wings, Powerhouse on Stage: 13-Year-Old Alandre Santos Stuns AGT with Traditional Mariachi
Conquering the stage of America’s Got Talent is a massive hurdle for any seasoned performer, but doing so when you are a self-proclaimed “really shy” teenager is a different level of bravery. That was the exact narrative for 13-year-old Alandre Santos from El Monte, California, who brought a genre rarely seen on the main stage to life for the 10th anniversary season of the show. Introduced to music by her grandmother at just two years old, Alandre spent her childhood singing karaoke at home and at a local Mexican restaurant, relying heavily on a massive, loving entourage of parents, aunts, and grandparents to help pump up her confidence.
Dressed in a beautiful, traditional costume, Alandre stepped out onto the star and revealed that due to her shyness, her family was practically her only audience before this historic night. The second the music kicked in, however, her timid demeanor vanished entirely. Alandre unleashed a stadium-sized vocal performance, showcasing the soaring high notes, dramatic breath control, and festive spirit intrinsic to classic Mariachi style.
The panel was thoroughly captivated by her sudden transformation. Heidi Klum and Mel B both gave her high praise, with Mel B labeling her a total “powerhouse” who knows exactly how to belt out a tune. Howie Mandel admitted that while he didn’t understand the Spanish lyrics, the pure beauty, control, and spirit of the performance resonated perfectly, prompting him to tell Alandre that she shouldn’t hide her musical treasure inside her house any longer. Howard Stern offered a touch of constructive feedback, noting that while Mariachi is traditionally loud and highly expressive, he’d love to see her pull the volume back in future rounds to display the natural sweetness of her tone. Backed by her weeping, ecstatic family side-stage, Alandre left the arena with a clean, unanimous sweep of four “yeses” from the panel.
