When Alice stepped onto the stage, the judges asked how she was feeling, and she honestly replied, “Scared.” Clearly nervous, she later admitted in interviews that stage fright had always been a struggle for her.
Much of Alice’s anxiety stemmed from her fear of the judges’ rejection, which she worried might mean she wasn’t good enough. When her music began, the audience held their breath.
She chose to sing the jazz classic “My Funny Valentine,” famously associated with Chet Baker. As the first notes played, an uneasy silence fell over the venue.
Alice sang the opening line, “My funny valentine, Sweet comic valentine…” Her voice wavered at first, and one judge looked down, perhaps not wanting to add to her nerves.
But as Alice reached the line, “You make me smile with my heart,” her voice grew stronger, surprising listeners with her range. The judge looked up, smiling with admiration.
With arm movements that evoked Nina Simone’s style, Alice captivated the judges. Her soulful performance of “My Funny Valentine” earned her a pass to the next round and a standing ovation from the audience and all four judges.
Watch the video here:
