Cristina Rae’s rendition of the Leonard Cohen classic, “Hallelujah” is one performance that the judges on the all popular America’s Got Talent show won’t get over quickly. Right after thrilling her audience and the judges in her previous performance which as it were earned her a golden buzzer, this came with no surprise as the singer continuously showed great strength in her vocal work even as the show progressed. The pressure to remain relevant wasn’t an issue for her as she responded by bringing the house down and getting all the judges on their feet with her stunning rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” during Tuesday night’s quarterfinal round.
The Nashville born was trained at Salama Urban Ministries as a classical singer, actress, and dancer from the age of 7 until 23 years old and also at the Blair School of Music. August 25th, she mounted the highly illuminated stage with one mission only- to blow minds away. The single mom and aspiring singer delivered an impassioned, heartfelt performance of “Hallelujah” as her young son Jeremiah watched from home on the screen behind the judges. The rendition was complete with serene water effects behind Cristina as she sang.
“I need this to change my life,” says Cristina, during her audition in June. “As you can see, I’m a single mom and I was living in my vehicle while pregnant…I was, before I gave birth to my son. This will change my life by putting us in a home — my own home, not just in family situations. I want him to have his own room; I want us to live in our own home, not a house.” She continued. Judge Sofia Vergara said. “When I listen to you, you sound to me like you’re already a recording artist. It’s so great. I feel like I’ve heard this song before but then you made it so yours — so unique. It’s spectacular.”Another review- “Yes! Cristina Rae, I mean, you sang this flawlessly,” Klum said. “It was so perfect. It was crystal clear. You could have not done a better job. You have no idea how much I have your back.”
Rae’s story is indeed a very touching one, having to live in a car while she was heavily pregnant with her boy. She hoped to win the the competition so she coupled a more befitting housing plan for herself and her son. “This will change my life by putting us in a home, my own home, not just in family situations,” she said sometime in June.