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Was TLC’s ‘7 Little Johnstons’ canceled?

Published

1 day ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

The family of Trent and Amber Johnston have endeared themselves to the audience since their lives began being chronicled in the reality television series “7 Little Johnstons,” which premiered on 6 January 2015 on the TLC network. Each member of their brood has achondroplasia dwarfism, but it hasn’t deterred any of them from living life to the fullest, despite the challenges they faced due to their genetic disorder. Like any other family, they have their ups and downs, and the public continue to cheer them on as their story unfolds week after week. Its 11th season finished airing on 3 May 2022, and fans couldn’t help but be concerned about the rumors circulating online that the network was about to pull the plug on the TV series.

Table of Contents

About the show

How did “7 Little Johnstons” come about”?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Johnstons were invited to appear in the American syndicated daytime talk show “Anderson,” when they featured extraordinary families in its first season in 2011. They called themselves ‘the seven dwarves’ as the family was comprised of seven people having the most common form of dwarfism, achondroplasia. The term itself means ‘without cartilage formation’, and it causes the bone tissue particularly the long bones of the legs and arms not to develop properly, resulting in shorter limbs. People with achondroplasia have short stature – the height of an adult ranges from 4ft 1in to 4ft 4ins, or about 1.3 to 1.5 meters.

Can I please become friends with the family on 7 Little Johnstons? PLEASE? pic.twitter.com/fzJ9JdOXci

— Ashley Rose (@JunoRose) May 24, 2020

The show’s host, Anderson Cooper, thought that the word “dwarf” was politically incorrect, but Amber explained that “dwarf” was a scientific term and “little person” can be used as well when referring to someone like her. However, one should avoid using the word “midget”, as it was considered disrespectful. The family guested on the show to let the world know that they could achieve many things, and be whatever they wanted to be just like any other person, only they had to do it in a different way.

As the characteristic features of their condition include short arms and legs, an average-sized torso, a large head with a prominent forehead, and short and diverging fingers that made their hands appear three-pronged, they naturally attract attention when they were out on the street. People were curious about them, and would stare at them for too long, sometimes even taking pictures or ridiculing them for being different. They would rather people approach them and ask questions rather than treat them like freaks in a circus. Years of being subjected to discrimination and name-calling toughened them up, but people can be very cruel and mean that it still hurts sometimes; the kids were affected most especially.

After their guest appearance, they were inundated with emails from production companies wanting to feature them in a reality TV show, as they were an interesting family, and LMNO Cable Group ended up producing “7 Little Johnstons” for TLC. The Johnstons didn’t have difficulty adjusting to having cameras follow them as they went about their daily lives, remaining true to themselves whether they were being filmed or not. Amber recalled that it was the production team that had a hard time keeping up with her family, as they are quite active and always on the go.

The Johnston couple said that their family was different from other reality stars in that they were not in the business for fame, as their goal was to enlighten the public and rid them of the wrong impression they have on little people, based on myths or on how they were depicted in some fictional film or TV series. Ultimately, it was all about ‘social acceptance’, as they wanted to be seen as human beings, and a regular family. Viewers found them very relatable as they shared their struggles in raising teenagers, and in making a marriage work, just regular everyday things that anybody can relate to. They made mistakes, and were not always at their best, so some people were quick to judge them, but they didn’t let the opinion of others dictate what they would do, or how they would behave.

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In filming for the show, the couple trained their kids in treating it as work, as a family business, and that it was something they had to do first before anything else. Perhaps it was a way for them to get their children to engage in some activity, so they could follow a particular storyline. Amber didn’t think growing up in front of the camera had a negative impact on them; on the contrary, the kids learned the value of working hard.

Being in the spotlight

As their lives were documented on TV, people who watched them felt that they knew everything there was to know about the Johnstons. What the audience sometimes failed to realize was that hours or days of footage would go through the editing process to form a certain narrative and be compressed into fitting an episode or two. The scenes that were shown on the screen could be misleading, or open to interpretation; the family had little say in the edited versions shown in episodes

Meet the Johnston family

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Trent met Amber at one of the meet-ups organized by the Little People of America (LPA), a non-profit organization providing information and support for people with dwarfism and their families. There was an instant attraction between them, as he said, ‘I saw a gorgeous blonde-haired, blue-eyed, 16-year-old girl’ while she found him to be very attractive, with a funny personality. They became the best of friends, which soon developed into a long-distance relationship for two and a half years, until she matriculated from high school and moved to Georgia to pursue higher education, and to be with him. In November 1998, four years after their first meeting, the two tied the knot in front of more than 300 guests at his home church in Ellenwood.

There was a good chance that their kids would have dwarfism, but it was something they looked forward to. Amber said, ‘Trent always wanted a son like him and obviously I wanted a daughter like me – we thought it would mean we could relate to them much better.’ The couple had two biological kids, Jonah Trent and Elizabeth Renee, both delivered via Caesarean section. Their eldest was a premature baby, and when he was born he wasn’t breathing, and doctors had to revive him. Jonah then spent six weeks at the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) before his parents could bring him home, but had to undergo multiple operations due to his medical issues.

Amber had a difficult and painful pregnancy in 2001 with Elizabeth, as her hips would repeatedly dislocate. At 48 inches tall, her circumference had, at one point, measured at 51 inches, so one could only imagine how hard it was for her.

In adopting children

It was risky for Amber to go through another pregnancy, so she had a tubal ligation during her last C-section. As they wanted more children they turned to adoption. The decision to adopt outside the US was deliberate, as they believed that those with dwarfism had a lower quality of life, and were often put up for adoption, particularly in places where this condition wasn’t understood, much less accepted.

Anna Marie Johnston

They went to Siberia to adopt four-year-old Anna – Amber was a district director of LPA when the Shepherd’s Crook adoption ministry sent an email in March 2004 asking for help in finding a home for a Russian orphan with Achondroplasia Dwarfism. As soon as she and Trent learned about her, they knew in their hearts that this child was theirs. They completed the adoption process in 13 weeks, and in July they brought Anna home to the US; Jonah and Elizabeth were thrilled to meet their new sister.

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Alex Joseph Johnston

In December 2005, an agency in Colorado was looking for a family willing to adopt a baby boy from South Korea who had dwarfism. Trent and Amber had been praying for a son to complete their family, as well as Jonah wanting a baby brother. However, in South Korea they were required to pay the fee in full before the adoption process could begin, which posed a problem for them as they didn’t have enough funds. Raising money would take too long, and they were worried about the baby not receiving the proper medical care that he needed at a crucial period. Their pastor called them to say that a couple from their church had written a check for the entire amount – $15,150 – when they heard about their situation. Alex was six-months-old when the Johnston couple brought him home in May 2006 to meet his siblings. When the family received a grant from Show Hope, an organization known for orphan care and adoption advocacy, they returned the money to the couple who helped them with the fees.

Emma Lee Johnston

Trent felt that it was important for the family to adopt another Asian child with dwarfism, so Alex would have a sibling who shared the same physical features as himself, and was closer to his age. In October 2010, they were on their way to China to meet five-year-old Emma from an orphanage in Baoding. This adoption process was more tedious and grueling than their previous experience, but they didn’t mind, as they believed that Emma was a perfect match for them.

Having adopted three kids, some of their friends jokingly referred to them as the “Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie of little people.” A single adoption was expensive, more so if you had to go to another country to do it. Also, a child with dwarfism had a lot of health issues, and would therefore require proper care and possibly expensive treatment. The Johnston couple was by no means wealthy, so fans had to wonder how they were able to finance three adoptions. The couple relied on grants, as they refused to take out loans, determined to live within their means. For whatever reason, they also didn’t take advantage of government assistance, despite being eligible for disability benefits.

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In raising five children with dwarfism

The couple raised their kids the way their own parents brought them up; Amber grew up as the only little person in her family, but although her parents were supportive of her, she was treated the same way as her siblings. She was the oldest so she was in charge, even if she was the smallest. Trent, on the other hand, belonged to a family comprised entirely of little people, but he said, ‘We didn’t have a ‘Woe is me’ attitude. My parents raised us just like every other parent would raise their child.’

Most houses of little people were modified to make things more convenient and comfortable for them. However, Trent and Amber didn’t want their kids to grow up relying on them too much, so the counters and furniture in their home are of standard height. They believed that coddling them would be detrimental to their growth, and it was important that the kids grow up confident and self-reliant. The couple rarely asked for help from other people, as they preferred to do things on their own. Their children should learn how to find ways and adapt to any situation, so that once they were out in the real world, they wouldn’t be at a loss on what to do. ‘We really want the kids to work out their problems themselves,’ Trent said; they were taught to have ‘realistic expectations about living with dwarfism’, as the world wasn’t built for them.

Cancelation of the TLC series

Networks are not in the habit of announcing their plans for their reality TV shows, so fans constantly worry about the fate of their favorite series.

In 2016, a scandal broke out involving LMNO Cable Group, the company that produced “7 Little Johnstons,” and Discovery Communications, the company that owns TLC on which the show was aired; some thought that the show would be shelved after this. It was said that LMNO confronted an accountant for embezzling money from them, but the latter threatened to inform Discovery about the two sets of books for the six shows that they produced for Discovery, unless he received more money; they refused. When Discovery learned about the incorrect books, they demanded that the footage of the Johnstons, intended for season two, be handed over to them, and they also terminated LMNO as producers of their shows. LMNO filed a lawsuit against them for not honoring their contract, and then Discovery countersued citing fraud – a judge ordered the production company to release the footage to Discovery.

Cancelation rumors of “7 Little Johnstons” spread online after season four only aired six episodes in 2017, but season five aired eight episodes the following year, so it was back on track.

There was some concern with the growing tension between Trent and Amber, with some people fearing that divorce was imminent, and its fans knew that it would mean the end of the show. Dealing with some issues involving their kids had put a strain on their relationship, but Amy said, ‘We know that a relationship, parenting, and marriage is a constant work in progress. With both of us feeling that and knowing that, we don’t give up.’

The pandemic caused anxiety to many due to quarantine restrictions, as it halted TV productions. In the case of the Johnstons, changes had been made, as they had to observe safety protocols, so a lot of planning was involved so they could resume filming.

In 2022, while season 11 was ongoing, Emma’s Q&A on Instagram fueled speculations about the show’s cancelation. A fan asked how many more seasons they could look forward to, and she said that they were filming for 20 episodes, and ‘that was it.’ – she didn’t elaborate, so some assumed the worst. Considering that each season had an average of eight to 10 episodes, one could assume that the TV series only had two more seasons to go. However, fans weren’t giving up hope that what Emma meant was that they would be done filming after that, and then they would rest, but there was still the possibility that it would resume sometime in the future.

Some also believed that the show was nearing its end, based on what happened to Jonas in the “Coming Clean” episode of season 11. Trent and Amber received a disturbing phone call from Jonah, who said that he was scared and didn’t know where he was. His words were slurred as he had apparently taken delta 8, a psychoactive substance found in the Cannabis sativa plant, and that he’d had a bad reaction to it. Trent told Jonah to screenshot a map that would pinpoint his exact location and send it to him. Fortunately, they were able to bring him home safely, and nothing bad happened to him. When Jonah sobered up, he said he would never experiment with the drug again. Delta-8 wasn’t approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and as the show was meant to inspire people, what Jonah did was a cause for concern. Some wondered if his behavior in the show had created an image that would put little people in a negative light, so it might be best for all if the series were to be discontinued.

TLC hasn’t released any statement regarding the airing of season 12, or its cancelation. Its loyal viewers could only hope that the show would continue, as they’d grown so attached to the Johnston family.

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

1 day 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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Table of Contents

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.

https://www.facebook.com/yellowstoneparamount/posts/4268604499878381

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

1 day 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.