Florida singer Mandy Harvey was one of seven performers Wednesday night to move on to the next round of the NBC show “America’s Got Talent.”
Many viewers have been drawn in by Harvey's heartfelt tone and sweet vocal control. Her personal story has drawn viewers and listeners to connect with her on a deeper level.
Harvey became deaf in college, suffering from a connective tissue disorder.
On Tuesday night, the singer performed live as America voted. Simon Cowell, who gave Harvey his “Golden Buzzer,” called her performance “stunning,” and told the singer she would make a difference.
Harvey sat down with WPTV Anchor Ashleigh Walters for an extended interview. (Watch the interview in the video attached to this story).
Following her passion has meant 40 to 70 hours of hard work every week.
“You go from just going, looking at visual tuners. And then feeling placement of your throat. And then getting used to those vibrations as they change, as they rumble into your nasal cavity. You know you hit that note because it buzzes in a specific way if you pay attention to it,” she said.
The singer is open to the challenges she faces.
“You have to be comfortable with failure. And I think that's something that society has told us. That if you can't succeed, you will fail at something. Then don't try. And for me, I fail every day. And every time you fail you learn something about yourself, and you grow and you change, and you adapt. And if you're not willing to fail, you're not willing to succeed either,” she said.
Her faith in God has been unshaken, even in times of depression and struggle. She hopes to use her gifts in the best possible way.
“It doesn't have to be on TV it doesn't have to be with a bunch of people looking at it. It could be something very small, just with one person that nobody ever knows about later, you know, just as long as I use my gifts.”