This 12-Year Old Didn't Back Down When Simon Cowell Asked Her to Sing Again Without Music AGT

Many adults would break under the pressure Simon Cowell put on 12-year-old Ansley Burns during her America's Got Talent audition, but she took his challenge in stride. The South Carolina native put her vocal chops on display for judges Cowell, Julianne Hough, Gabrielle Union, and Howie Mande but things took an unexpected turn halfway through her rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Think."
"I don't think this backing track was working for you," Cowell said, after stopping her mid-audition. He admitted that the poor track made it hard for him to judge her fairly. "I'm just wondering if we should do a verse and a chorus, maybe a capella?"
The preteen looked momentarily caught off guard by the request, but after a sip of water, she stepped up to the plate. Watch Burns's full performance above to see how she fared without her music.

[@patrickpowell2236]

Simon Cowell is the genius that people hate. He made her voice stand out better.

[@user-ih9jw7wr1t]

She is just like an angel, and so adorable!

[@temporaladvisor3958]

Hell no! I didn't have this level of confidence at 42, never mind at 12. Amazing!

[@sugarbear2285]

Awe she thought he was saying her singing was bad, it was the music playing behind her…. 😂❤

[@bigbilltoady412]

What a little angel. God be good to her.

[@GHutube8]

Twelve years old.... good job !

[@LizaBrubacher]

I would have loved to have her in the live shows. Nerves of steel and sweet as ever!

[@janquaglia3636]

Incredible job!!! As a professional singer, I admire her poise under tremendous pressure as much as her voice. My best wishes to you, sweetie! ❤ ❤ ❤

[@user-os4qj5is1n]

Unbelievable!!! That gave me chills!!!!!

[@peterf7311]

Think what you may about Simon but he can bring out the best in ppl... having said that, what a talented, sweet person she is

[@Siskos-pn7nd]

Wow. This so hard to do. An a capella on a song built on heavy percussion and bass, not to mention a whole backing orchestra. Simon was right in that the backing track was too loud, but what a disadvantage. I have played for over 60 years and do not have her composure and her stage presence. I wish all the best.

[@CynthiaSmith101-i3s]

I agree but Simon says "if you" 😂 she has the vocals❤

[@slgproducoesltd]

Wooooow! Beautiful performance. Amazing. God bless her.

[@mightyquinnproductions8672]

What a performance should be so proud a star.

[@Jaujau933]

Wonderful kid, awesome personality 👏👏👏

[@MichaelFletcher-p4s]

He did her proud

[@judithnagle5809]

She is such an amazing young girl

[@jamesgafurama80]

She is extremely amazing ❤❤❤

[@PatriciaStebbins]

She is awesome, keep it up sweetheart

[@sebastianmuller2715]

She was fantastic, the voice had some Jackson 5 vibes too.

[@franckylibbrecht6103]

Why does this make me cry?

[@JaneAustenAteMyCat]

So young but so mature!

[@larsnystrom6698]

That was tough! But she handled it! She was very expressive and alive, now baptized in fire. If she can do this, she can do anything!

[@fernandosamf1185]

Love this little singer

[@jaceebaker5083]

#WeLoveOurEasly!!!!! South Carolina is we're it's at y'all!!!!

[@lfc6663]

Top Girl. Love Her. x x

[@ruthiecade1436]

Judo to this little girl 😊It takes alot of courage to get on that stage ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jeanetteblaxall8945]

8

[@yofavallyse9986]

great singer

[@AS-by8ee]

Well, that just happened! 😂😂❤❤

[@ETA555]

3:10 i love her comment. Great personality for a 12yo

[@peggyburnham6970]

From the first time I watched this video, I knew my brother was eternally saved❤I've never had a moment of such joy, happiness or peace knowing he would someday be with the father-I just never thought it would be this soon! Right now, my heart it filled with sadness, and I'm broken💔 I am proud beyond the words to know you are with our creator/our heavenly father and am so happy for you. I will miss you till the day we're together again. Amen

[@lindaloo206]

Closed caption would be nice for the deaf and hard of hearing people please and thank you

[@DrSammyMunchkin]

You have to hit the CC button, I did. ✌

[@nancyevans9341]

Agree

[@MLewis-w4s]

Why would a totally deaf person watch a singing video and expect anything to resonate? Singing videos aren’t for completely deaf ppl. Also, you click for captions on any YT vid, dummy

[@user-ky2sn8nw2i]

Simon Cowell knows!

[@PatriciaGlass-t8e]

She's a REAL TREASURE

[@georgianwindow]

Well that just happened That was a wow of a vocal performance Fabulous How did you know ~~~Simon. that she would pull it off

[@waffles206]

EASLEY FOREVER!!!

[@CynthiaSmith101-i3s]

There it is ❤

[@ceceliaminerva6014]

Good job

[@peterbrown1968]

Beautiful

[@sergioromerooficial5822]

❤️...Loved it...❤️

[@WendyLEstrange]

very beautiful

[@GEricBromley]

OOOOHHH BOOOYY!! Make way , she's high rolling at full belt down the pike.

[@NewYorkActingCoach]

Just imagine the encouragement she must have had, probably from her parents. What happened next?

[@martysomoco]

Awesome!

[@user-fx6rg1uc4d]

When you can sing without music you can sing if you need it all the time you can't and this girl can sing it's priceless.

[@laurieberry4814]

This song reminds me of a woman who mentioned respect, but she had no respect and only cared about herself.

[@jacquelinewilliams6289]

Wow😮😊❤

[@user-qb8oz1rj6u]

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME, GO GIRL GO, CHILD OF GOD.

[@davidcattin7006]

child of god :o(

[@hisaddle]

Wow

[@louisehepp4127]

Simon didn't do anything wrong. The girl was worried because she didn't understand when he first stopped her what his problem was. She sounded much better without the music behind her! That's what he was trying to do. He wanted to hear her own voice better. That girl is a Star!

[@alliedubon4947]

She's AMAZING!!!❤❤❤

[@geraldboyd7108]

Best ever heard

[@foxxy5363]

so was it playback or not?

[@dennisrevell5869]

Simon Cowell being the complete inGRRRlish tvvat that everybody should know that he is, and always has been.

[@angelazabo3543]

Cute little girl

[@joesmiel4562]

She made a fool out of Simon !!!!!!

[@juancastro1944]

You have 2 understand that Simon tried to help her cuz u couldnt hear her wonderful voice and they would send her home so thats why He stoped the background Musik 🎶

[@DennisSmith-dq6iu]

Simon did nothing but Help he

[@user-bu5ye3mr5w]

I don't understand what was wrong with the backing track, it sounded perfectly fine to me

[@sophitiafaelheart8951]

The backing track, in comparison to her voice, wasn't allowing her to shine properly and was muddling her singing down too much If you listen back, it is MUCH louder than she was so we didn't get *her* coming through as much as we could have, Simon caught on very quickly and knew it'd be harshly unfair to judge her for it that way

[@jonwalton4677]

Fantastic! Go back to Blighty mate - this kid has TALENT 😮😊

[@jeffray1065]

She needs no track... she's excellent

[@Squeeekii]

well done :)

[@judithnagle5809]

Excellent you go sweetheart your amazing

[@donrowan1099]

Cowell was FOS.

[@ReneeRoyster]

Sign me up lol

[@trishspinazola287]

Wow!!👍♥️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@anthonymartinez4148]

Simon is ridiculous

[@chadsmith5075]

well you didn't back down , good for your age, keep it up you'll get there

[@macman617]

What happened?? How did they vote?? Did Howie vote up or dowm?? Where is the rest of the tape?????😴

[@suelicatache6975]

👏👏👏👏🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@davidhorn6008]

.15 - I was hoping to hear Her sing - goodbye

[@Roland905]

Simon was a bit rude. Angry is a great singer😎

[@RubyJaco]

No he was not. He made her better and with more confidence ❤

[@Roland905]

​@@RubyJacochill I didn't what I was writing it about a year sgo

[@stevebramblet7235]

That accent 😂

[@johnburns1902]

Gee Ansley I wonder if we are related?

[@donaldmiller2654]

I think someone thought the sound track was doctored to help her singing.

[@larsnystrom6698]

No, just that the background tape was so bad they couldn't judge her singing.

[@suewise]

set up

[@ejack4961]

Kamala can’t grab that 🤣😂

[@peterdroeshout]

😁

[@RhondaHornsby]

😂

[@shawnhopkins6280]

I had stupid misleading titles like this.

[@jerrycallo]

Obviously rehearsed. Do think anyone would do that to someone that has Terry Crew backing them. LOL

[@EdwardAllen-jz5ie]

Yes Simon Cowell is a bully towards 12 year old she is only child god sake Simon give her opportunity

[@byronrogers4489]

How so? My God, you have issues.

[@Vinyl_Dave]

@@byronrogers4489 I'd like to delete your reply. Issues - you, surely!

[@llyn7154]

I don't think he's a bully. He was very nice to her & he even gave her his water.

[@ErnestBuen-in3ul]

Simon may be perceived to be a bully, however most of the time he is right👍😋😊🤙🌈🌺🌴

[@vanessabarefoot2266]

you must have missed some or maybe you need your ears cleaned out. did you miss simon encouraging her.

[@CodyjoClay]

That the second time I didn't good by to black and blew bleeding red wagon radio flyer frequent lots a heat tommrrow to

[@vtrandal]

Simon is such a prick sometimes.

[@pattybowen-yv6jc]

What a creep!!!!!

[@eldoramiller4554]

3rd f I we d9

[@charlesjohnson8041]

How bad is Elvis Presley was living Elvis want to took.his.crap

[@docalexander2853]

This show turned into crap and I don't watch it anymore. American Idol is much better.

[@frankrice5364]

Wow

[@anthonymartinez4148]

Simon is ridiculous

[@WhyKnot-lr1kk]

Your comment is ridiculous