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Tiny House Nation: Where are they now? Why show was canceled?

Published

4 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

“Tiny House Nation” is a reality TV series produced by the A&E media giant, in which adherents of the tiny-house movement – in the show mostly singles or couples – apply to have a very small house built for them. Each episode features one specific home being built, usually from the ground up. The construction times and quality vary throughout the show, but most of the episodes show the majority of the building process.

The show started airing in 2014 on A&E’s child network FIY, with episodes per season increasing incrementally until the latest one. The show started with eight episodes in season one in 2014, 18 episodes in season two in 2015, 22 episodes in season three in 2016, another 22 in 2017, and lastly only 14 in 2019. The fifth and most current season was aired on A&E instead of FYI. Thus far its production team has pushed out a total of 84 episodes.

Other networks also took a liking to the show after seeing its general success among the public, with Netflix buying the rights to stream it on their platform in 2019, as well as National Geographic starting to air it in 2020. Both of these media giants contributed greatly to the show’s popularity, meaning its next seasons will likely enjoy a much greater audience.

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The big tiny-house movement

The tiny-house, or small house movement, is a social and architectural thought concept that calls for essential minimalism, advocating for the downsizing of average American houses. Due to more and more space being required by for standard houses in the US, this movement has begun to gain a lot of traction in the recent years, especially with the release of “Tiny House Nation.”

Specifically, the average size of a US home went from approximately 1,780 square feet (165 square meters) in 1978, to almost 2,500 square feet (232 square meters) in 2007, and onward to 2,662 square feet (247 square meters). This noticeable growth in living quarters outlined the glaring issue of material prices, which just kept going up. Being unable to keep up with the costs, many people opted to live in a small or tiny house.

Although they sound the same, small and tiny houses are terms with particular definitions that vary in magnitude. Namely, a ‘small house’ is a home with between 400 and 1,000 square feet (93 and 37 square meters) in total size, whereas a ‘tiny house’ sprawls across less than the minimum of a small house, sometimes being even as low as an unthinkable 80 square feet (7.4 square meters).

The movement was inspired by the building of shotgun shacks, which took place between the 1860’s and late 1920’s, ending with the Great Depression in the 1930’s. These domestic residences were no more than 12 feet (3.5 meters) in length, and they were mostly meant to mass-accommodate black Americans after they’d been given rights to home ownership. Most blue collar families in the south of the US lived in shotgun shacks, especially in New Orleans.

Small and tiny houses were properly defined and took-off in the 1970’s, when famous artists including Allan Wexler started exploring the idea of choosing a compact space for everyday life. Being cost effective, and since the 1970’s also apparently modern and unordinary, tiny houses slowly started making an impact the market, although they still have a ways to go before they’re able to compete with their regular counterparts.

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The style itself is thought to be inspired by 19^th century naturalist, poet, philosopher and essayist Henry David Thoreau, through his book entitled “Walden” from 1854. There have also been other works of similar inspiration later on, such as Lloyd Kahn’s “Shelter” from 1973, Lester Walker’s “Tiny Houses” from 1987, and Sarah Susanka’s “The Not So Big House” from 1997, which advocated for the ‘counter movement’ of smaller houses, which aided a lot in the eventual rise of the idea among the general public.

Finally, the modern pioneer of tiny house culture is known as Jay Shafer, who created and lived inside of a 97-square-foot (8.9-square-meter) house, and later designed the first ever plans for tiny houses on wheels, allowing the home mobility of a trailer combined with the relative comfort of an actual home. He eventually founded the Tumbleweed Tiny House company in 2002, and later the Four Lights Tiny House Company on 6 September 2012, both of which focus on building small or tiny houses.

In “Tiny House Nation,” the compulsory building requirements are much closer to tiny than small houses, with the maximum area allowed being no bigger than 500 square feet (46 square meters). Lastly, although tiny houses seem cheap at first glance, their prices range between $30,000 and $50,000, with the more ‘luxurious’ going way beyond the higher average.

The cast of “Tiny House Nation” and the show’s progress

The main faces of “Tiny House Nation” are John Weisbarth, Zack Giffin and David Foxx, all three of whom are skilled carpenters and construction specialists with years of experience in homebuilding. Together they move around the US and create small or tiny homes for random people, according to the latter’s specifications and preferences, covering a sizable portion of the clients’ construction costs.

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Although it’s stated on apartmenttherapy.com that “Tiny House Nation” misrepresents the construction time of tiny houses, which sometimes takes up to six months, the show itself does show the genuine construction time without false narratives.

For example, Zack Giffin built his own tiny home years before joining the show, and has plenty of experience with crafting them. Along with John and David, and many other cast members, he is able to execute complicated constructions of highly customized small and tiny homes in approximately two weeks.

The nine episodes of the first season took a total of eight months to plan and then film, though most of that time was spent on moving around the US for each separate construction, and planning its execution; some houses were finished in just a few days. The crew actually numbers in the hundreds, even though the three aforementioned men are the stars of the show. This means that even though they do most of the work themselves, they have a lot of helping hands on the set, such as extras who carry the materials and organize the tools, as well as clean the area regularly.

By the end of the first season, the houses were being constructed in about 10 days, though this took a toll on Zack and the other two. He would often have to stay up way longer and get an average of three hours of sleep during filming days ust to keep up with the schedule. This had to be done in order to maintain the show’s popularity, as its main selling point was the actual speed at which the homes were being created.

However, fatigue caught up with the crew by season two, and they weren’t going to repeat the same sleepless process. Hence, the 18 homes built during its run-time were mostly finished in eight days, but this came at a cost. Certain shortcuts were being taken, the builds were being compromised, and not every part of the construction process was clearly shown. Inevitably, this made the show feel less original, but still maintained the wow factor, thanks to the construction speed presented.

Zack, the main builder, had to step away from the framing and building processes in order to focus on another aspect of the show, which definitely impacted customer satisfaction in the long run due to the lack of quality, but the crew still made sure that each project was completed on time, so as to not leave their customers disgruntled.

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In season three this schedule was sped up even more, at which point a good amount of work had already been done on the house by the time the filming started. Although this left much more to be desired by the audience, the houses were of much higher quality thanks to the intensity of work being lowered. Zack then had to pull only one all-nighter per build, instead of the usual many, which allowed him to have much sharper focus.

By season five the show had evolved into much more focused and original builds, working exclusively with professional tiny house builders, and clients who delivered highly creative ideas and tangibly unique design specifications. This jump in originality helped the show do much better on television, gaining a greater interest in the audience. At their best, the crew were building entire small or tiny houses in approximately five days.

The show wasn’t ever officially canceled

Even though the sixth season is yet to come out, “Tiny House Nation” is still listed as one of the ongoing shows on A&E’s website, and there’s been no official statement from the company about the show’s ending. This means that the next season has either been delayed, or A&E’s admission is greatly overdue. In either case, the fans have a possibility of anticipation.

Due to numerous cases of controversy, however, many of the fans thought that the show was indeed canceled after a few lawsuits and public scandals. While this may have indeed slowed down the production, there’s been no official comment from the production team about the impact these dramas may have had on the show.

One such example is the case of the Richards family of four, whose Ben and Rebecah moved out of Los Angeles so as to settle in a custom tiny home in Nashville with their two children. They ultimately ran into Mike Bedsole, who owns the Tennessee-based Tiny House Chattanooga construction company. They made a deal with him after he explained that his houses are built out of non-toxic materials, even including wall installations. He presented them with the idea of being featured in “Tiny House Nation”, and having some of their construction costs covered by A&E.

They gladly accepted and were looking forward to their new home, but everything soon went downhill. It first turned out that Bedsole didn’t allow the couple to have the trailer that holds the house be bought by the show’s producers, meaning they had to take the cash out of their own pocket, which really isn’t standard procedure in “Tiny House Nation.”

This is a tiny home! More news articles need to showcase beautiful examples like this and stop focusing on Tiny Shelters that are being used for temporary housing because it confuses the conversations as it relates to zoning law. Nice work Nick and California Tiny Homes! https://t.co/gAbMfymbX1

— Zack Giffin (@ZackGiffin) September 11, 2022

The couple did buy the trailer, and after Bedsole received over $47,000 in home construction materials from the production team of the show, he refused to tell the couple the final cost of the build. They later found out that the materials used in the construction weren’t actually non-toxic, and the trailer was registered in the name of Bedsole, not theirs.

Bedsole eventually ceased communication with the couple completely in early 2019, after a list of more than 70 items remained to be addressed. Later on, it turned out that Bedsole was being evicted from his property, and since the trailer that their tiny home was on still belonged to him, the judge ruled that the Richards family would have to vacate the premises. As a result, they remained homeless after actually paying for their house.

While this isn’t the direct fault of the “Tiny House Nation” production team, it’s still great controversy related to their show, and has done the opposite of contributing to its popularity, some believing that the show is over, due to too many scandals, though this is not the case.

What Zack, John and David are doing today

While John Weisbarth and David Foxx generally disappeared out of the spotlight after season five of the show, Zack Giffin has remained fully in the industry, more dedicated than ever to building as many tiny houses as he can.

He recently started a highly rated national non-profit organization, with the aim of helping people obtain a reliable and comfortable home, who would otherwise end up in the street or living in dreadful conditions. The organization is called Operation Tiny Home, and focuses mostly on providing housing for US military veterans. He still creates most of these houses himself as of September 2022, and is poised to be welcomed back to the big screen at any time.

Martha Clifford

As an Author at Net Worth Post, I guide a dedicated team in the art of revealing the stories behind the world's most influential personalities. Fueled by a relentless curiosity and a knack for uncovering hidden stories, I immerse myself in the intricacies of our subjects' lives, weaving together accurate data and compelling narratives. My involvement spans the entire editorial process, from the seed of research to the final flourish of publication, ensuring that every article not only educates but also captivates and motivates our audience. At Net Worth Post, we are committed to providing thorough investigations into the net worth and life achievements of innovators across diverse sectors such as technology, culture, and social entrepreneurship. My method merges meticulous research with eloquent storytelling, designed to bridge the gap between our readers and the remarkable individuals who redefine our tomorrow. Through spotlighting their journeys to success, the hurdles they've surmounted, and their contributions to society, we aim to give our readers a deep and inspiring insight into the luminaries who are paving the way for progress and ingenuity in the modern era.

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Is “Yellowstone” based on a true story?

Published

18 mins ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

Wondering if “Yellowstone” is based on a true story? What inspired the writers to produce the Dutton family drama? When part one of the “Yellowstone” season 5 was launched, viewers have been concerned about finding out whether the series is based on a true story. Fans have also been interested in learning about the Dutton family story, which some believe to be real. Read on to learn if “Yellowstone” is based on a true story, and what inspired it.

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Background

“Yellowstone” is a Western drama series about the Dutton family, which owns the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch, the biggest in Montana. The drama series premiered in June 2018 and revolves around the Dutton family at the ranch, bordering a national park, the Broken Rock Indian Reservation, and developers in need of the family’s piece of land.

“Yellowstone” is centered on John Dutton III, a character acted by Kevin Costner, a sixth-generation patriarch and widowed member of the Dutton family who owns and runs the ranch. He fights to protect the ranch from those seeking to repossess his family’s land for other developments that do not align with the interests of the family.

The producer of “Yellowstone,” Taylor Sheridan believes that the drama series has been a success with the audiences, although critics have different views and reservations. He makes it clear that the series is for people who experience the life it portrays. The writer also states that the audience is expanding, because many people love westerns; they provide entertainment and different perspectives about life in the west.

People who resonate with the plot depicted in the drama series will certainly love it. “Yellowstone” flows through different genres, where it sets the stage for being campy, then becomes dramatic, and violent. It’s a blend of the old western, new western, and soap opera. While it infuriates other people, it appeals to the interests of individuals who love storytelling.

“Yellowstone” is a hit partly because its location is fantastic, it’s acted in a wicked way, and explores a world that is unknown to many people. It consists of powerhouse actors who put on an outstanding performance.

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Is “Yellowstone” Based on a True Story?

The answer is ‘no’, because “Yellowstone” is not based on true people or events that have happened in real life. However, Taylor Sheridan revealed in an interview with The Los Angeles Times in 2018 that the series explores issues that he’s witnessed, and the problems that still exist in US’s western mountain states.

For instance, “Yellowstone” explores issues related to land development, oppression, resource mismanagement, extreme poverty and inequality. These challenges still exist in other parts of the US, and the consequences are dire, especially when they happen in small rural areas with fewer people.

Taylor also added that once construction companies start encroaching on landscapes in farms and ranches, the effects are more dramatic. He reiterated that the show is based on the “gentrification” that has occurred in the western states, a process where wealthier people move to poor or less developed areas and begin to improve them by building new houses and launching other developments.

While gentrification attracts new businesses and improves the overall appearance of the place, it often displaces the current inhabitants in the process. The creator of the “Yellowstone” drama series has witnessed some of these changes in mountain states, such as Wyoming and Montana where he stays.

Gentrification mainly benefits wealthy people at the expense of the less privileged. When the place is developed, only the rich can afford the modern properties, and natives will be pushed off their land. In other words, this process creates inequality among people living in a certain area. The rich can use their influence to determine the state of affairs in a particular area, which will put other people at a disadvantage.

The creator of the drama series places the white rancher in a position of Native Americans, which was different 100-plus years before the onset of gentrification. What is taking place now in the west puts the natives at a disadvantage; for example, once the land developers move in and make improvements, they often sell that fantasy to wealthy people.

In most cases, the rich people who become the new occupants often come from affluent areas such as Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, and Florida. As a result, the poorer natives end up landless because they cannot afford properties constructed on their indigenous land.

When wealthy people buy pieces of land in the western states, they often use them for weekend getaways, and in the process, the way of life of the indigenous people is impacted. Land values and other aspects such as inheritance taxes are bound to increase, which will affect the welfare and lifestyle of the people living in the gentrified places.

Sheridan revealed in an interview with CBS news in 2022, that “Yellowstone” derived its inspiration from his experience as a rancher – most of the horses used in the filming of the drama series are his. He said that the horses are not very safe, and this is why the actors are not always riding on them – the horses were specifically bought for the drama series, and the creator taught the actors how to ride them.

Called one of the most important western writers in decades, Taylor Sheridan created the hit TV series "Yellowstone" and its prequel, "1883" (along with the prequel's upcoming sequel, "1932") https://t.co/l0PtHrTZfS pic.twitter.com/xkqZTP0UtA

— CBS Sunday Morning ? (@CBSSunday) June 11, 2022

Are the Duttons a Real Family?

The Duttons are not a real family. According to the equestrian website Horsey Hooves, the family’s patriarch John Dutton could have been inspired by famous ranchers such as Bill Galt and W.T. Waggoner. Waggoner owned the 525,000-acre Waggoner Ranch in North Texas, which was founded in 1849, was once the largest ranch in the US, and was passed down through several generations.

The Waggoner family owned the ranch until 2015, when it was sold to businessman Stan Kroenke for $725 million. Bill Galt is the owner of the 248,000-acre ranch in Montana, the same ranch where “Yellowstone” is set. Horsey Hooves said Galt is also known as “The Last American Cowboy.”

Cowboy life is still common in North Texas, although it’s facing some challenges from gentrification. As a result, “Yellowstone” sought to portray a western life unknown to many people. The drama series draws its audience from people who love the cowboy lifestyle, since the practice is no longer widespread across the US.

Is the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch Real?

Although “Yellowstone” is not based on a true story, the ranch where the drama series takes place is real – Chief Joseph Ranch is found in Darby, Montana, and consists of several cabins used by guests as accommodation when they visit, and several have appeared in the show. The key areas that appear in the drama series include Rip’s Cabin also called the Ben Cook Cabin in real life, the Armory, the Trapper cabin, and Lee’s cabin also called the Fisherman Cabin.

Shane Libel and his family own Chief Joseph Ranch – when the property was chosen as the filming location for “Yellowstone”, the Libels family and the filmmakers signed a five-season contract. Apart from the 5,000-square-foot mansion and cabins, other film locations include the armory, barns, arena and corrals.

The Chief Joseph Ranch consists of a real family home, also used for vacations. When not being used for film production, the cabins around the home are available for rental for a minimum of three nights. The guests are treated to a memorable Yellowstone experience.

In “Yellowstone” Season 5, Texas’ Four Sixes Ranch featured is a real ranch, and it will be the filming venue for “Yellowstone”’s upcoming spin-off of the 6666 show. The 350,000-acre 6666 Ranch has a rich history, as it was founded in the 19^th century when West Texas was still ruled by Comanches.

The 6666 Ranch appeared in “Yellowstone” Season 4, and featured Jimmy, who was sent to Texas to become a real cowboy. In May 2021, Taylor Sheridan and a group of investors bought the ranch for use as one filming location for “Yellowstone” and will feature in future episodes.

The 6666 Ranch is real and still functioning as it has over the last two centuries, encompasses the history of the country. At this ranch, the laws of nature and the rule of law merge in a typical fashion where some of the most dangerous events take place. The 6666 is a place where world-class cowboys are made, and is synonymous with an attempt to raise the finest livestock and horses in the world, still produce high-quality Quarter Horses and Angus cattle.

Is There Going to be a Yellowstone Season 6?

Many viewers often wonder if there will be a “Yellowstone” Season 6. However, the good news is that one of the actors – Cole Hauser who plays Rip Wheeler – confirmed in November 2022 that there will be one more season. He said there’s a lot of work going on to fully utilize the talent to fulfill the needs of the audience.

According to the executive producer Taylor Sheridan, “Yellowstone” comprises a diverse crew that is concerned about producing the best result. However, he confirmed in 2021 to “The New York Times” that he doesn’t want Yellowstone to run for nine seasons, so has actually already written the ending – taking too long without preparing the end can lead to stagnation of the show, so he’s still confident that the show will not run out of steam as it nears the end. So season 6, could well be the final

Yellowstone is not based on real life or fiction, but on world events. The creator has hinted that there has to be movement and evolution toward the conclusion.

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Sheridan has already decided on the ending of “Yellowstone,” but has hinted at opening up more spin-offs after “1883,” “1923,” and “6666”; he doesn’t want to limit his creativity. More importantly, the creator has also expressed his connection to the sparseness of the west, since this is where he spent most of his lifetime.

Sheridan lived in New York briefly and enjoyed his stay, but clearly states that he cannot write about this place. Instead, he’s fascinated by outdoor events, which motivated him to write “Yellowstone”, saying that the outdoor world helps him get a clear picture of the vastness of the US.

Sheridan says that life in New York is different from living in western states, which still have many places in their natural state. It’s easier for him to observe the things that happen in these open places than in build-up areas like cities. Although Sheridan’s hinted that “Yellowstone” will come to an end, he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of future episodes based on unfolding events.

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How is Sara James from “America’s Got Talent” Doing Now?

Published

18 mins ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

Table of Contents

Rise to Fame

When Sara walked onto the stage for her audition for the 17^th season of “America’s Got Talent,” everything about her screamed “star!” Unlike most contestants whose nerves show as soon as they appear, Sara was composed and had an aura of calmness around her. She owned the stage, and wasn’t intimidated by the fully packed auditorium, as she shared some lighthearted exchanges with Simon, revealing that she was just 13 years old, which shocked the judges and the audience, since she spoke and conversed with a level of maturity way above her age.

The crowd went quiet as Sara took a deep breath and calmly launched into her performance of “Lovely” by Billie Eilish. The performance embodied the classic calmness and maturity that Sara’s fans have now come to love, showing-off her excellent vocal control, as she hit and held high notes, raised and lowered her voice to capture the deeply emotional meaning the song has to her, and held the attention of her audience with her ability to pass on her emotions to them through her voice.

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Sara’s trance-like hold on the crowd was broken when she sang the last note, sending Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara to their feet with the audience, to applaud the 13-year-old musical prodigy, as a still seated Simon Cowell clapped. When the crowd calmed down, Simon talked about how coming to the US changed his life, adding that he would like to make Sara’s first time in the country memorable before crowning her musical prowess and outstanding performance with the Golden Buzzer. With one press of the button, Simon Cowell set Sara on the path that AGT musical prodigies before her have followed to stardom.

Now, every person who watches Sara’s audition on YouTube asks the question, “How is Sara James doing now?”

Early Life and Musical Foundation

Born on 10 June 2008, Sara Zofia Egwu-James isn’t yet 15 years old. She has three siblings, Michelle James, John Junior, and Jakub Dancewicz. Sara was born to a Polish mother while her father is of Nigerian descent, but grew up in the US. At her age, Sara is just in high school, holds a first degree in music from Slubice, plays the piano and the guitar. Despite gaining global success for a raw, powerful voice that she’s learned to control allowing her to hit high and low notes without straining, Sara is continuing her music education by taking vocal lessons with Edyta Kregiel, and practicing her singing and performing at the Municipal Cultural Center.

Sara gets her musical talent and interest in singing, playing instruments and performing from her parents. Her father John is a singer and performer, who has participated in some talent competitions. In 2011, he was one of the “X-factor” contestants, appeared in the “Bitwa na voices” choir singing competition as part of a choir, and half of the Polish singing duet “Loui & John”, under contract with Sony Music Poland.

Sara’s mother, Arleta Dancewicz, is equally musically talented, but didn’t pursue music professionally, although sang in church when Sara was growing up. Inspired by her mother’s passionate performances and her father’s professional musical acts, Sara joined a local children’s choir, and staged several performances across the city. She honed her vocal and performing skills through seasonal performances such as in a local Christmas Carols Festival, and entered some singing competitions for children. Although Sara’s parents are now separated, they both support Sara in her aspiration for a career in music, and have shared her confidence that she will rise to become a global music icon, since she started singing at four years and staged performances individually and as part of a group at just six years of age.

“The Voice Kids-Poland”

Sara joined her first major singing competition, “World Talent Show” in 2020, when she was just 12 years old, placing third in the competition, and was the proud recipient of the coveted Silver Microphone, and honored to receive the award at the closing performance of the Lubuski Song Festival Pro Arte. Although she didn’t win, emerging third emboldened Sara, and encouraged her to sign up for larger competitions.

In 2021, Sara entered her name for consideration for a slot on “The Voice Kids” Poland. For her blind audition, Sara chose to perform Demi Lovato’s “Anyone.” Her performance, which has gathered over 4.45 million views on YouTube, enthralled the audience, and had all coaches pressing their buttons and turning within seconds to indicate they wanted her on their teams. She chose Tomson and Baron, and embarked on a journey of musical discovery as she learned from the two rockstars.

Tomson and Baron’s mentorship was evident in Sara’s first battle on “The Voice Kids.” She battled two fellow contestants Amelia and Matylda, performing Mariah Carey’s “Hero.” Although the two girls were talented, Sara beat them easily and earned the favor of all judges as well as the admiration of the live audience. With her new status as fan favorite, Sara put on impressive performances, particularly in the finals when a whistle note in her performance of Will Ferrel and Molly Sanden’s “Husavik (My Hometown)” had the crowd on its feet clapping and screaming for minutes after she finished singing.

Sara’s ability to impress the crowd with the raw power of her voice, the passion she put into her performances, and her ability to improve on past performances under the guidance of her coaches, earned her first place in the competition. With the title of the winner of the 4^th season of “The Voice Kids Poland,” Sara set her eyes on competitions outside her native Poland, as part of a strategy to take her voice and music career global.

“Szansa na Sukces” and “Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021”

One year after winning “The Voice Kids Poland,” Sara entered “Szansa na Suckes,” a Polish talent show that offered an opportunity for its winners to participate in a European junior singing competition. For the competition’s finale, Sara sang her way into the audience’s hearts with her cover of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”, which won her the competition, receiving the most votes from both audience and judges, installing her as Poland’s representative in the “Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021.”

?? Sara James
? Somebody
? https://t.co/HiLUOtE2hJ pic.twitter.com/wxiGTv2pmO

— Junior Eurovision (@EurovisionJr) October 18, 2021

In December that year, Sara, who had never performed outside Poland, went to Paris for the “Junior Eurovision Song Contest.” Unlike her past performances where she sang covers of her favorite songs, Sara made the bold and risky decision to perform her own original song “Somebody.” Her gamble paid off, as she received a standing ovation from the audience. She emerged second in the competition, to Armenia. Although she didn’t win the competition, the audience and jury’s reaction to her song and performance gave her the boost of confidence she needed to try for a spot on “America’s Got Talent.”

“America’s Got Talent” and “All Stars”

“The Voice Kids Poland” laid a foundation for Sara’s success in her music career, while the “Junior Eurovision Song Contest” gave her a platform to take her music to the rest of Europe. She remained relatively unknown to the rest of the world until 2022, when she earned her spot on “America’s Got Talent” or “AGT” as the competition is commonly known. At “AGT,” Sara carved a spot out as a fan favorite with her first performance, which earned her a Golden Buzzer from the fastidious and fellow European record Executive Simon Cowell.

When Simon gave Sara a permanent spot in the live shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, the then 13-year-old secured a platform to showcase her voice and performing prowess to an American audience. However, the guaranteed spot didn’t lessen her resolve to continue delivering unforgettable performances that would earn her fans among the show’s global audience. In the semi-finals, her first performance after the audition, Sara sang Elton John’s “Rocket Man,” earning herself another standing ovation from the audience. The performance has over four million views on YouTube, and has attracted 4,665 comments, each expressing awe over her ability to hit, hold, and switch notes effortlessly, while maintaining control of her vocals.

In the finals, Sara impressed the audience with a cover of “Running Up That Hill” by Kate Bush. Her performance had all four judges on their feet celebrating with the crowd, and hoping that the emotional, well-paced, and captivating rendition of the song earned the 13-year-old the ultimate prize. However, she was not named among the top five, finishing in the bottom six of the top 11 contestants in the show. Although she didn’t win the competition, she left with a large group of loyal fans who flocked to the comment section of the video of her performance in the finals to express their surprise and disappointment that she wasn’t named the winner of “AGT” season 17.

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However, Sara was chosen as one of the contestants for “America’s Got Talent: All Stars” early in 2023, against musical prodigies and groups from past seasons such as the Bello Sisters, the Light Balance Kids, Aidan Bryant, and the Detroit Youth Choir. For her performance at “All Stars,” Sara chose “As It Was” by recent Grammy Award winner Harry Styles. Before her performance, Sara engaged in a conversation with Simon Cowell, discussing her performance in the previous competition and aspirations for the future. Her characteristic confidence and promise that she will become the first “AGT” prodigy to win a Grammy had the crowd eagerly waiting to be blown away by her performance.

Sara didn’t disappoint the judges and her audience, producing her classic powerful, moving and captivating performance, which gained 2.8 million views on YouTube in just four weeks. Her rendition of the original song included most of the notes from the original, but Sara had altered some notes, transforming the song into a masterpiece. Unfortunately, she was up against fan favorites and prodigies from other seasons of “AGT”, who staged equally remarkable performances, and once again she was eliminated, although the audience, judges and Sara’s fans are convinced that she’s on her way to becoming a global icon in the music industry.

Record Deal, Album, and Original Music

In 2017, Sara released an Extended Playlist entitled “Just Like Me” containing four songs – “Blind,” “Boys Like You,” “Just Like Me,” and “If I Ever.” She wrote and released three other original songs in 2021, including “Czarny mlyn,” “Jak co roku,” and the song she performed at her first regional competition, “Somebody.”

After a successful stint at “AGT,” Sara James was signed by Universal Music Polska. She’s since written and released six original songs, including “My Wave” and “Take Sama.” In addition, Sara has released several covers as part of her record deal, most notably Harry Styles’ “As it Was”, and Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”

Her raw, powerful, and well-controlled voice, ability to bring out the emotion in her originals and covers, and to hold long notes has earned Sara millions of listeners across all music streaming platforms. In 2022, she became the most streamed artist on Spotify’s EQUAL Global playlist, with over 10 million streams on the platform. She was honored to become the first Polish artist to earn the coveted ambassadorial role on the music streaming platform.

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The Future

Sara hopes to win a Grammy someday. In 2023, she’s planning a tour for her new album, during which she hopes to unveil a more mature sound, and present herself to the world as a seasoned artist. Sara also hopes to become a role model for young people and women from all over the world, encouraging them to pursue their dreams.

The future is full of possibilities and opportunities for Sara to stage performances all over the world, share her voice and new sound with her fans, and release more original music.