Reyna Roberts’ spectacular audition on America’s Got Talent 2024 is one for the history books. Introducing herself as a Nashville-based country artist, Reyna took a risk singing her original song, “Raised Right,” about her upbringing across three different US states and the unique concoction of aesthetics and morals her youth blessed her with.
The 26-year-old Reyna had flitted from her birth state, Alaska to live in Alabama and California, before settling in Nashville, Tennessee as an up-and-coming country star. She told the judges, “I want to create music that outlives me and hopefully inspires other people,” — and her audition proved her point flawlessly.
A four-piece backing band joined Reyna on stage as the judges watched in nervous anticipation. But Reyna’s original song was insane; her stage presence was fearless while her lyrics painted a vibrant image of her upbringing: “I’m a little bit of whiskey in my sweet tea / I’m a little bit of city in my country / A little “hell yeah” in my “hallelujah” […] I got a little bit of wrong in my raised right.”
Blending country rock and city class, Reyna’s fiery and beautiful Beyoncé energy stole the show, topped with stunning vocal runs and an outlaw voice like crushed velvet. With attitude, confidence, stage presence, looks, an A-list voice and songwriting skills, Reyna Roberts came to AGT as the full package, and only one judge failed to fall under her spell.
After her outstanding audition, Howie Mandel’s critique made the audience erupt with boos. He told Reyna, “I think you have an incredible talent and it’s a risk to do an original. That original didn’t ring to me, but it’s all very subjective. It didn’t hook me.”
Reyna accepted Howie’s startling negativity like a pro and reclaimed herself through Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara and Simon Cowell’s joint support. Simon praised Reyna’s band and her determination to succeed, and Sofia turned the tables on Howie’s comments, saying, “You’re such a complete artist.” Reyna’s unmissable audition has already gathered over 659K views on YouTube to date!
Reyna broke into the music scene back in 2016 with her debut EP, “The Beginning” and single “Lying To Myself.” She’s opened for the Plain White T’s and Jamey Johnson on tour, performed piano and backing vocals with country icon Luke Combs, and was featured in the Grammy Museum’s Power of Women In Country Music exhibit.
Reyna’s greatest success to date comes as one of four black, female country singers featured on Beyoncé’s 2024 album “Cowboy Carter” — on which Reyna provided backing vocals for tracks “Blackbird” (a Beatles cover) and “Tyrant.” She’s been praised for being one of the rare few women of color making waves in the country scene, advocating to acknowledge the history of country music while emphasizing “the importance of recognizing Black country artists.”
Reyna Roberts’s debut album, “Bad Girl Bible: Vol. 1” dropped in September 2023, and her most viewed music video, “Miranda,” has racked up over a quarter of a million views on YouTube. With 426K Instagram followers, it’s clear Reyna’s AGT audition was a tactic to spread her impact, pull together a greater fanbase, and cement her name in the music scene. But nevertheless, we TV viewers have been blessed with an audition you’ll want to watch over and over!
For more amazing performances and to stay updated with Reyna Roberts, follow her on her YouTube Channel, Facebook page, Instagram account, or visit her official Website.