The Journey

Rick’s Music World Cafe; Meeting Spot

Imagine. 

Bright orange wall illuminated by softly lit aura. Several microphones set up side by side. High end keyboard dust free and blacker than midnight. a wall of autographed guitar hung by stable buckles. And a performer of any age standing still nervous in front of it all. That was my abode. My home away from home. My sanctuary. 

This was the home of thousands of wonderful musicians in my area, and a place where I have met some of the most wonderful people in my life. 

Rick and Robin Santos; The owners. Two absolutely FANTASTIC people. They truly are absolutely incredible people. The happily married couple runs a music business, rentals, a cafe, an open mic and a wonderful gathering spot for musicians across the country. They are like second parents to me, and have been the reason I have succeeded so much in my life. Without them, I would not be the same as I am today.

Sarah Borrello; My Absolute BEST friend. Sarah and I met at Rick’s music world back in the day, ad literally have been inseparable ever since. We couldn’t be more different people, but she is my equal half. Exact opposites truly made a great friendship between the two of us. Sure we have had our spats. But throughout it all, she will always be my best friend. She is an incredible musician, and an incredible friend.

Evan Hill; My best guy friend. My drummer, MY EVAN. I love my evypoo<3 He is funny. quirky, adorable and simple one of the best friends I have ever had in my life. We met just sitting in the green room. And what started at an unfamiliar hello, became an amazing friendship which I value more than I could ever imagine. Love you ev<3

Kaleb Buckner; I met this southern kid in May of 2009. He was up visiting family and stopped in at an open mic. He was charming, adorable, and was a very talented musician. Being so cute, I was too scared to approach him, but he approached me. And what began was an incredible emotional rollercoaster of feelings between the two of us. No matter how much I try to deny it, He will always have a special place in my heart and I hope I left a mark in his heart too. Two years later… I’m not sure where we stand.

Rick’s Music World gave me a window of opportunities, my best friends, and my first love.

Top 40 Elimination Day

After our performances we headed back to the hotel room for rest and recuperation. I was beat. My eyes were red from crying due to Piers’ mean comments. I was more than off the wall. So I took my mind off of things by hanging out with Taylor. But I still knew tomorrow was going to be a tough day.

The next morning I woke up and put on that same red dress and headed for the call room. I walked in with my water bottle and took a seat at my “table of talent” with Taylor, Holly, Next to None, and Joshua Price. We sat there for a good 3 hours before the producer came in an called us down by group. I was in the child singer group and was called down first with Taylor, Cafidia, Rachael, Kaitlyn and David. It was the six of us. 

We walked backstage to where we were the previous day. I thought my nerves were bad yesterday? HA. On a scale from one to how i’ll be on my wedding day… I was a 10. A certified nervous wreck. My fingers trembled I could barely feel my head on top of my shoulders. It was almost like an out of body experience. Just being there, being put in the situation where you have absolutely no control as to what will happen next. So they lined us up.. 

It went

Taylor, David, Cafidia, Rachael, Kaitlyn, and Then me. 

As they lined us up, I walked out with a smile. I had a good feeling, but still after Piers yesterday… i really didn’t know what to think anymore. We stood in the god forsaken line for at least a half hour. With cameras circling around our every movement. Finally it was time to start the Top 40 elimination.

David Hasselhodd started to speak and began to callout names.

“These names I call please move forward.”

“Mia Boostrom”

oh my gosh, me? first? eep!

“Cafidia and Taylor Daniel…. Front row…. I’m sorry to say…. You will…. not be moving on in the competition….”

There it was… the spear through my little 15 year old heart. I immediately started to tear up. Once I got off stage I began to BALL. Cameras were in my face every direction. Asking me question after question. I just wanted to get out of there. I couldn’t handle this. I just kept saying how much of a mistake I made and how I knew i didn’t have the talent to do this. I was heart broken. 

I was pulled into another room with alll the other eliminated contestants. Taylor and I had made our way in… followed by Joshua Price, then Holly, then Next to None. We were all eliminated. Our Table of Talent wasn’t so lucky afterall. I was shocked to see everyone in that room. They were all EXTREMELY talented. I just didn’t understand what we did wrong. I sobbed my way to the check in line to get my airplane tickets for tomorrow and then moved my body up to the elevators to my hotel room to call my dad. I pretty much crumbled into nothing at that point.

Special Guest

I was extremely upset with what Piers had said. I started to second guess my talent in general. What if I was really an awful singer? Do I even deserve to be here? I didn’t even know anymore. I knew there were two other judges and I was taking his words to much to heart. But I couldn’t help but feel defeated.

For some reason they post-poned performances for about 20 minutes after I went on. Little did I know.. SIMON COWELL was watching all of our auditions and after I performed he went up to the judges and talked to Piers. I wasn’t sure if this was a good or bad thing. Maybe he was agreeing with him… or maybe he was criticizing him for hurting a 15-year-old teenager who already had self confidence issues.

After about 20 minutes Simon Cowell walked backstage, smiled and winked at me. Maybe Simon wasn’t the mean, British man I always thought he was.

Performance at Planet Hollywood

Each Contestant made their way back out of the PLanet Hollywood theater with a smile on their face and tears of joy forming from the corner of each of their eyes. My hands were still shaking from the news of making it to the top 80. It was an amazing feeling.

As we walked into the theater lobby there was a glass window with multiple pieces of paper on it. On each sheet of paper there was a category and about six or seven names on it. The first piece of paper it said…”Child Singers”…and there was my name fourth or fifth on the list. I figured the just wanted to break down the performers, but little did I know they had more tricks up their sleeves.

I grabbed my mom’s hand, gave her a hug, and walked back up into the holding room. Once we got up the hall, a producer was reading off a list of performers. He started…

“List of Performances TODAY… Child singers… Adult female singers… Adult Male Singers… Opera Singers….”

what? We were going to perform? TODAY!? Oh my goodness. He continued to talk, and the we were pulled into a separate holding room where there was musical equipment set up like a practice room. A few camera men surrounded us, catching our every habitual practice routine. This was the first time I had touched a piano since I was in Vegas. So I used every second of the practice time to run through my song. To prepare myself for the performance that we were going to put on in a few hours.

Once they were done filming, they pulled us into individual interviews and asked us about the stress levels for a young teenager. I was completely honest. “it’s horrifying”.

Once our interviews finished up we were pulled back down to the theater. My hands started to sweat again, and I was so scared. I never thought one minute and a half performance could make me shake. But this was a tv show, in front a the country. I had no room for error.  Everyone lined up in order of age. Katelyn went first, and not understanding the importance of the show, stepped out onto the stage. She was asked a single question. She started to sing her song and the rest of us watched anxiously in the monitors backstage. She was so cute. America would definitely love her. Which makes her extremely marketable. I was kind of an overweight 15 year old, not exactly as marketable, It made me nervous.

After Katelyn came back, David walked out , followed him was Rachel, then Cafidia. After Cafidia however it was my turn. “The time has come the walrus said” I said in a whisper as I headed out to the stage. I looked out into the planet hollywood theater and my eyes were glued. Thousands of empty chairs stared back at me. There were beautiful lights paneling the sides of the theater. I imagined performing on that stage if I ever “make it.” It would go on my list of things I wanted to do before I die.

“Hello” Piers said. Shyly I said hi back. I was a nervous wreck. My shoulders were tense and my eyes were already beginning to tear up. They asked me the same question the asked Katelyn “Why do you want to win this competition” I stood there like a stature for only a second then pulled my mic close to my lips and said “Well, I would like to be a role model for younger women who may not exactly be the American Image. I know I’m not exactly a “stick” skinny girl , but a lot of people have regardless of what they look like.” Piers being the rebutting type he is snapped back saying- “Well Terry Fator is not stick thin”. I didn’t know what to say, I felt like he just stood up and stamped a giant X on my face for failure.

He told me to begin my song. I turned back to the baby grand piano behind my back and sat down. I placed each of my fingers on the starting keys carefully. I started. I began singing though if I ain’t got you by Alicia Keys, scared and nervous as hell.

I finished and grabbed the mic and headed back out onto the center X in the middle of the stage. Piers asked me how I thought I did and I simply said ” I think I did alright”. Before I walked off the stage. He had one last thing to say to me.

“Well, personally, I don’t think your strong enough to last in this Competition”

Ouch. I walked off in shame, crying backstage.

“Group D - You Will Be…”

I woke up the next morning with a lump in my throat. Today was going to be horrifying. Not only were we going to be separated into groups and possibly be eliminated from the competition, but we were going to be performing for the three celebrity judges. (If we were lucky) I was shaken. As a 15 year old girl, this was an extremely stressful situation. (as it would be for anyone). I got dressed in my red dress, curled my hair,  and went down to the holding room.

Chaos. Every performer was practicing, or stressing out. Acrobats and gymnasts were flipping and cartwheeling, singers were warming up their vocals chords, magicians were flipping through their trick cards. Everyone in their own place, practicing their own unique talent. We all waiting around for two hours. Eventually, the executive producer, Jason Raff, had us all sit down for a briefing. He told us so many words of encouragement and how no matter what happens, every single one of us is an extraordinary talent. As much as I knew he was right, I wanted to be in that group that sailed onto the quarterfinals. Once Mr. Raff finished his pep talk, all the contestants were separated into groups. 

Group A included- Taylor Daniel, Neil Boyd, Next to None, Kaitlyn Maher, and some more talents… not Mia Boostrom.

Group B included- An eight year old piano genius, The boy band I sat next to the night before, a cross dresser named Oscar, a couple dance crews and some more talents… again not Mia Boostrom

Group C included- Holly Harden, Daniel Jens, Sarah Lenore, Joshua Price, a seven year old contortionist , and many more talents… once again… not Mia Boostrom

Last but not least Group D which included- You guessed it. Mia Boostrom.  Also in my group was an R&B singer, inflatable mascots, Eli Mattson, an Elvis impersonator, and a dance troop.. there was a few more.. but I don’t remember.

To be honest, I was not at all confident in my group. I looked around and noticed my group seemed so much less serious than the others. Although I had never seen any of them.. Inflatable mascots? really? really. I had a hunch my group was goners.

We were directed into the theater one group at a time. Group A sat far right, Group B- center right, Group C -center left, and Group D -far left. We waited for about 45 minutes. Being filmed and getting more and more anxious with every flicker of the lights. Finally, the three judges walked out. The time has come the walrus said. I took in a big gulp of fear. My heart was running faster than the road runner from looney tunes. 

Their entrance was like watching a king come down from a throne. Everyone was so anxious and nervous. I started to feel my eyes water, and I grabbed my mom’s hand. 

David Hasselhoff started off. 

“You are all amazing Talents, however there are 120 of you, and only 40 spots in the quarterfinals…So let’s cut to the chase… Group A… You will be..”

silence. When we watch reality shows on tv we get results right away. In REAL reality tv… you wait 10 minutes. Yeah, 10 minutes of complete and utter TORTURE. I was so close to breaking down into tears. The minutes seemed like hours and with every move of the camera, group A was getting more and more anxious for their results. 

“STAYING IN THE COMPETITON” 

Taylor was safe! But oh man, one safe group was passed. There was only one safe group left :( and my group looked like it lacked talent over the rest. 

Sharon then began..“Group B, you are all incredible, but you will be…”

again, for the camera blocking, results were paused.

“Unfortunately… leaving us today. I’m very sorry.”

A very small weight lifted off my shoulders. I knew there was only one spot left and I was praying it was Group D.

Next David spoke again. 

“Group C, you will be…”

This was make or break time. 

“STAYING IN THE COMPETITION”

Everyone cheered. Everyone.. but Group D. I was upset, Upset that I wouldn’t get a chance to play my song for the judges, upset that my dreams were shattered on the floor, I cried a little bit more until Pier Morgan chimed up.

“Group D, I know it’s been a long journey for you all. We know how badly you all wanted this. But We’ve decided… you will be..”

Once again it was silent. I was sobbing like a baby and the cameras were glued to my face. I knew were were goners. There were no more spots left. 

“Also… STAYING IN THE COMPETITION”

what… WHAT!? WHATTTT!?!??!??! OH MY GOODNES?!?! REALLY!?! I jumped to my feet and screamed and cried and hugged all the strangers I could. My dreams weren’t lost!

Only Beginning. 

Vegas Day One

Each had it’s own theme, and crowd of people. Caesar’s Palace, being a place of ancient times and old day Catholicism. Paris, a hotel replicated to be the Eiffel Tower. The Luxor, a golden pyramid with lights shooting from it’s peak. Each hotel drawing in tourists of all kinds. Our Hotel, Planet Hollywood, was a new upbringing to the strip. Two Towers of new technological pleasure for tourists and America’s Got Talent Performers. 

Taylor and I walked into the Lobby of Planet Hollywood along side dozens of other contenders. We made our way up the escalator surrounded by color changing chandeliers, and casino carpeting. Each step we took I could feel my heart beating faster and faster. I was in Vegas. 

We finally made it to the first Vegas holding room. We took a seat, and put our unchecked in suitcases by the wall. I plopped myself on the floor and took off my shoes. Immediately after I sat down, a producer ran over and told us all we had to be in costume. ASAP. Like, now. 15 minutes. WONDERFUL. My hair and makeup looked as if I got in a fight with a bear or something. If they were going to film us.. good heavens. I had some work to do. So I grabbed my red dress, my curling iron and my make-up and headed for the bathrooms. 

Luckily, I threw on my make-up quickly and my hair was already partially curled. I walked out of the bathroom and got in line with the other contestants. We were all being called down into the Planet Hollywood Theater. In line, I met a few new faces. I was standing close to Taylor, a southern girl Holly Hardin, who had the strangest pronunciation of Theater I had ever heard,  a young singer named Rachel and her mother, and a boy band. 

In a group, we were all called into the Theater and took a seat. I took a seat next to a dance crew dressed in red, likewise was I. We were all confused to what was going to happen so I twiddled my fingers and prayed for the best. Producers all asked us to be silent for about 10 minutes while they came around and shot us with the camera. After the sea of confusion was filmed. The three judges walked out on stage. The crowd of performers cheered and hollered for the sake of the camera. When really we were all just confused and tired. The judges proceeded to explain why we were seated in the theater. 

“Welcome To America’s Got Talent Vegas Week. We know  you’re all excited to make your dreams come true. However…… some of you will be eliminated before your performance…”

……what? WHAT!? Seriously? Now my heart dropped and I was shaken. 

“Tomorrow, we are going to separate you into four groups… A, B, C, and D. Some of you will advance.. and some of you will say goodbye. For now, enjoy Vegas and we will see you here in the morning!”

The Judges disappeared backstage and the audience looked around in utter confusion and despair. no one wanted to be the in the groups to leave. I knew I worked too hard to go home. Although in New York I was extremely confident in my performance, I was now being judges against all the other acts who were also confident in theirs. Thoughts just kept running through my mind.. What if I did this? What if I sang that? My mind was just in shambles. 

Hopefully Tomorrow Brings Fortune, Not Misfortune. 

Taylor Daniel

I stood there with my arms resting on my suitcase. Took a quick glance around and all of a sudden I saw a boy with a light blue polo. He was super cute, and I kept wondering if he was here for the show. I was PRAYING he was here for the show. I just kept thinking, “He must be like 21, or something. Even if he was here for the show, I doubt he’d ever talk to me”. So I just kind of sat and waited to see if he’d come up to me. He got up and walked off for a minute and my mom made the move. She went over and started talking to the lady next to him (which was his mom). I eventually made my way over to them and we started talking. His name was Taylor Daniel. He was 15, just like me, and his mom was super nice. Taylor made his way back over to our group and we introduced ourselves. He seemed super friendly, and I could tell just by talking to him that he was very much into what he does. Music. He was a singer, just like me. We hit it off, talked about school, music, gigs, everything under the sun. 

We were both into the exact same things. Music, Theater, Coldplay, John Mayer, haha. We eventually both got up and headed to the shuttle, and headed to the Hotel. I was so excited. I had a friend in the competition. Someone I could talk to! And he was super cute  haha.

I had no idea that Taylor and I would be best friends to this day. To this day we still video chat and keep in touch. He is always there for me, whenever, whatever. I am so thankful for him. Taylor Daniel, AGT BFFS forever.

<3

Arriving

The plane landed. I had made it to Las Vegas. My heart was jubilant, while my eyes were tired. Seven hours can truly take a toll on you. But nothing mattered except the fact I was experiencing my dream. The dream so many try to obtain.

My mom and I made it to the baggage claim and walked around aimlessly for about 30 minutes TRYING to find a guy in a blue America’s Got Talent shirt. I thought it was impossible. The airport was HUGE, and when you come from an airport as small as PVD… It’s like comparing a giant ogre to a small little puppy.

Finally we found the producer holding a giant America’s Got Talent sign… wow, we must’ve been blind or something..

We signed in with the producer in the blue shirt and went over to the waiting area with all the other contestants. At first, I didn’t say a word. Not a word, just scoped out my competition. There was a dance group on the floor, all putting on their fake eyelashes, and stretching out. There was an all boy singing/dancing group called Next to None which I met in  my New York audition. So I flashed a smile and waved hello. There was just so many people there, I wanted to meet. 

Pre-Vegas Thoughts

I packed up all my bags, and started my 7 hour plane ride to Vegas. Before this trip I had never been further than New Hampshire, or Rhode Island. I was trapped in Massachusetts and I was so excited to not only see my dreams come true, but also see the country in which I lived. So I jumped on a Southwest Flight and was on my merry way. I was ecstatic. Completely and utterly out of my mind happy. My dream ever since I was a 4th grader, was to be a performer. To feel that passion and self assurance, just like the talent shows, the christmas shows, and recitals. Or feel the inner rock star just like the New York Audition. My mind was buzzing and my heart was skipping a beat every time the pilot would update our location. As we approached our destination, I remembered my journey in the making. Only a 4 years ago, I was in my elementary school auditorium singing the national anthem. Now I’m one of 160 contestants on a National TV show. Who knew I’d make such a big step in my career at such a young age? All I did know, was I had my work cut out for me. 

Approaching Destination, please take your seats and fasten your seat belts for our final descend.