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Salem girl to audition for 'America's Got Talent'
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Singer Savannah Fox, 13, of Salem discusses how she is preparing for her “America’s Got Talent” audition.
By EMMALEE C. TORISK
SALEM
Savannah Fox remembers her first attempt at auditioning for “America’s Got Talent” as nothing short of an ordeal.
She and her mother, Kim Fox, had driven eight straight hours from their home in Salem to Norfolk, Va., then spent another eight hours sitting outside the hotel — “freezing to death in the pouring rain,” as Kim recalls — to secure an audition.
When they finally made it inside, another several hours of waiting greeted them, along with a change in plans.
The auditions were a cappella, or without a backing track, which Savannah hadn’t prepared for. And though she knew that the competition would be stiff, she didn’t realize that she’d be singing in the very same room as three of her competitors.
To say she was anxious would be an understatement.
But a year later, and a year wiser, Savannah — now 13 and an eighth-grader at Crestview Middle School — is ready to try again. She even knows exactly what she’d tell herself if she could go back to last year’s audition.
“Don’t act nervous,” Savannah said.
On Nov. 16 and 17, Savannah will have her chance to once again audition for “America’s Got Talent,” the televised talent competition open to performers of all varieties, including singers, dancers and comedians. The grand prize is $1 million.
Just a few weeks ago, Savannah received the confirmation that she’d be auditioning in person Nov. 17 in New York City — one of seven cities selected to host the first round of auditions.
She also submitted a video audition of her singing Beyonce’s “If I Were A Boy,” which earned her a tryout slot Nov. 16.
Savannah said she hasn’t yet selected what songs she’ll perform during her audition, but explained that she’ll have to sing two songs. Her mother said she bets at least one of them will be a Carrie Underwood tune.
Performers who make it through the first round of auditions for “America’s Got Talent” then try out in front of four celebrity judges and a live audience. Savannah won’t learn if she’s moving on in the competition until February.
“If she doesn’t, then we’ll just start preparing for next year,” her mother said. “I’m just excited for her. Last year, it was the nerves, but this year, I know she’ll be fine.”
Savannah pledged that the best way to combat her nervousness before performing is simply to look at her mother — or “just wing it.” She said that the minutes and seconds leading up to a performance are the most nerve-wracking, but that when she’s on stage and singing, she’s OK.
And though she’s in her early teens, Savannah has racked up a pretty impressive list of performances: a Mahoning Valley Scrappers game, three consecutive years of the “Kennywood Idol” contest, her grandmother’s 90th birthday party — to name only a few.
Regardless of how this year’s “America’s Got Talent” audition turns out, Savannah said she’ll keep singing. Ever since she was about 4, singing has meant everything to her, and it’s all that she’s ever wanted to do.
“I just want to perform with other people,” Savannah said. “I just want to be in front of a lot of people and singing.”
“And be rich, I’m sure,” her mother added, laughing.