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What is Jimmy Osmond doing today? Health Update

Published

4 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Martha Clifford

The youngest Osmond – James Arthur Osmond, also known as Little Jimmy Osmond – has been known to the world since 1967, at which point he was only four years old. His siblings became noticed in the early 1960’s, eventually forming the world-famous musical group known as The Osmonds, consisting of Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, Marie and finally Jimmy Osmond. All of them, except James, were raised in Ogden, Utah USA.

Jimmy didn’t just take the fame that was guaranteed by birth, though – he built his own little empire as a rather successful entrepreneur with a visionary mind, that allowed for great accomplishments in the music industry. James’ first personal achievement came at the tender age of five, when he achieved his first gold record in 1968 for the song entitled “My Little Darling,” which he sang in Japanese. He was the first member of the family to obtain that reward, which showed everyone just how much promise the child held.

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From rags to riches

Parents George Virl Osmond, Sr. and Olive Osmond were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and resided in Jimmy’s birthplace with their nine children. The brothers began performing barbershop music for neighborhood audiences in 1958, so as to help support Virl and Tom, both of whom had a significant hearing impairment since birth.

The brothers eventually caught the attention of Lawrence Welk, who invited them to audition, but was eventually unable to follow through. However, while on that trip, they visited Disneyland, where Tommy Walker saw them performing with the Dapper Dans on Main Street, and hired them for a segment in the film entitled “Disneyland After Dark,” which aired in 1962.

This led to an invitation from Andy Williams’ father Jay, to appear in his program entitled “The Andy Williams Show,” which ran from 1962 to 1969, during which time Donny joined the group, making it a 5-member band prior to the induction of Marie and Jimmy as well. After this, they concentrated on popular music instead of variety shows, so they signed with UNI records in 1967, releasing a single record with “Flower Music” on the front and “I Can’t Stop” on the flip side before eventually achieving fame in 1971.

Jimmy himself made history when he released “Long Haired Lover from Liverpool” in 1972, as it earned him The Guinness Book of World Records honor for being the youngest performer to have a #1 single on the UK Singles Chart. His success continued with acting roles such as Troy Phillips in two episodes of “Fame”, and Tom D. Fitzgerald in the film “The Great Brain.”

In 1985, Jimmy met Manuel Montoya at A&M Records, which led to his only Spanish recording, entitled “Siempre Tu.” This opened up opportunities for him to tour Latin American markets, including Mexico, Venezuela, Puerto Rico and Chile. In addition to often performing with his older siblings on stage and television, Jimmy served as a juror at the 1986 edition of OTI Festival.

He also took over the operations of Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri, where he still produces and books shows today. The 2012 Osmonds’ album “I Can’t Get There Without You” featured Jimmy on lead vocals, which marked the first time that he sang lead instead of Merrill, who usually held that role during their heyday in early 1970s.

Throughout the course of his career, the youngest Osmond had the opportunity of meeting some of the greatest names ever to have graced his line of work, including Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley.

Furthermore, Jimmy starred in musical theater productions such as “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, and “Boogie Nights at Grand Theatre Blackpool,” among others. He has also appeared in several British TV shows, including “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!,” “All Star Family Fortunes,” “Come Dine With Me,” “All Star Family Fortunes,” and “Everybody Dance Now,” totaling 75 celebrity appearances from 1975 to 2018.

In 2014 Jimmy authored the children’s picture book entitled “Awesome Possum Family Band,” which was semi-autobiographical. 2015 saw him honored with Iowa Wesleyan University’s award of an honorary doctorate of arts and humanities – making him the first Osmond family member to receive this distinction, delivering keynote commencement speech on 9 May.

A scare out of nowhere

In 2004 Jimmy was busy working on his own TV show entitled “Jimmy Osmond’s American Jukebox” in a studio in Missouri. The threat had been looming over his physical wellness since the day he was born, but only manifested itself when he turned 40 years of age.

It turned out that Little Jimmy was suffering from a rather typical and commonplace congenital heart condition, that resulted in a stroke. As he told the Daily Mail in 2009, a whole five years after it occurred, there was nothing to be done about the sudden onset of symptoms that took everyone by surprise.

He stated that ‘It came on so fast and I could hardly see – it was as if I had tunnel vision. Somehow, I managed to get to the end of the show. How I drove home I have no idea and I shouldn’t have done, because I couldn’t even see the lines in the middle of the road, but I was so desperate to get back to my family and go to bed.’

As was to be expected of someone exacerbating the bodily shock brought on by a stroke through added physical exertion as well as mental exhaustion, the next day was one of the worst in Jimmy’s life. He said ‘The following morning I tried to get up, but felt so dizzy that I fell over. My vision was still bad and this terrible headache was gnawing away right at the base of my skull.’

Jimmy still remained relatively cool-headed even with the panic beginning to set in, suggesting to his wife Michelle that he’s probably only having a rather intense migraine as a result of overworking himself in the preceding weeks. Fortunately, she still convinced him to go for a check-up anyway, having him enter the car that she subsequently drove to a local hospital for his brain scan.

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It was soon stated by the doctors that the issue on hand was indeed far more serious than a severe headache, revealing a stroke as the actual reason for Jimmy’s discomfort. It was caused by small clots or emboli blocking the blood flow in extremely thin vessels, and depriving parts of the brain of oxygen. Thankfully, there was no lasting damage, although he still suffered from headaches and difficulty reading for the next four to five years.

The idea that Jimmy was overworked, although inaccurately used to describe the reason for his supposed headache, had plenty of merit to it. He had indeed been dedicating too much time to his career for a lengthy period preceding the stroke. Osmond stated ‘I had been working on 12 shows a week and other projects, so I never really had the time to relax. I’d been feeling pretty exhausted, and assumed that the stroke had been something to do with that.’

That said, the risk of a stroke was still supposed to be rather low, as the singer never had any previous heart-related issues, at least to his knowledge. He said ‘I never had high blood pressure, high cholesterol or any other problems that could have given any clues as to why I would have a stroke. The doctors decided to take a look at my heart.’

Thus, Jimmy underwent a bubble echocardiogram – an ultrasound scan of the heart that is followed by an injection of a bubble of saline into the arm, which allows for blood flow inside of the chest cavity to be much easier to monitor. The procedure revealed something rather unexpected – a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO), which is a hole in the septal wall serving as the barrier between the heart’s right and upper left chambers. It was identified as a birth defect that went by without detection, until the test was complete, as Jimmy had never been given an echocardiogram despite having gone through numerous insurance medicals.

No abnormal heart sounds were detected during these examinations, and his blood pressure and cholesterol levels were normal. The PFO was likely present since birth, but went unnoticed due to its small size – about the size of a cent coin. It can cause problems such as stroke or migraine headaches if left untreated, so Jimmy was lucky to have found it prior to suffering any permanent injury.

He said ‘My doctor explained that over time, tiny blood clots that he described as ‘particles’ had travelled from my heart to my brain, eventually forming a large clot. and this is what had caused the stroke. He warned me that unless I had immediate surgery to close the hole then I was at risk of having another stroke, or worse.’

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It turns out that Jimmy was simply unlucky to have the condition, as British Heart Foundation’s June Davison pointed out that ‘People don’t usually have symptoms, but one of the biggest risks associated with having a PFO is the risk of a stroke and those who have PFOs are more likely to have migraines. We do know that two in 100 babies are born with it.’

A minute contraption called an occluder was then carefully placed inside of the singer’s heart by insertion through a blood vessel from the groin area. This device automatically opens and shuts on both of its sides, which allows it to be pulled by the blood pumping into the heart’s wall, eventually closing the hole caused by PFO. The heart’s regenerative tissue eventually engulfs the collider, and thus heals itself with no difficulties.

The return of Osmonds’ suffering

Everything seemed to go for the better, and the potential problem stayed that way for over a decade. However, disaster struck once again on 27 December 2018, when true drama broke out at UK’s prestigious Birmingham Hippodrome. While pantomiming as Captain Hook in the theater’s staging of “Peter Pan,” Jimmy found himself in a situation similar to that in 2004, except he was then well-aware of what was really happening.

Another stroke was diagnosed not long after the then-55-year-old singer was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. In order to immediately address public concerns on the matter, the theater’s spokesperson said that ‘He’s grateful for all the well wishes and will be taking time out in the new year.’ Osmond was promptly replaced in the play by fellow actor Darren Day.

Fiona Allan, the chief executive and artistic director of the Birmingham Hippodrome, had more to add on the matter, making it obvious that the US superstar was indeed dearly missed by all of his coworkers. She said ‘Everyone here at Birmingham Hippodrome has been deeply saddened to hear of Jimmy’s sudden illness.’

Furthermore, she added that ‘Jimmy loved being a part of the Hippodrome’s well-renowned panto, and his portrayal of Captain Hook was both dastardly and heartwarming. He won the adoration not just of our audiences, but also of all our staff. We all send Jimmy and his family very best wishes for a speedy recovery.’

Review: Peter Pan, Birmingham Hippodrome #PeterPanPanto @brumhippodrome @ShropshireStar https://t.co/UnOzAisPzx

— Jimmy Osmond (@jimmyosmond) December 23, 2018

Although Jimmy himself is yet to appear in front of the camera since then, his brother Merrill was kind enough to inform the audiences about his brother’s situation in 2020. He told interviewer Alex Belfield that everything is under control, stating ‘You know, it’s great. I’ve seen him about two times now and Jimmy had his issue there, but you know what, he’s getting better every day.’

Merrill even made a point out of the fact that the hiatus is actually rather enjoyable for Jimmy, explaining ‘And the thing about it which is really cool is he’s never had a chance to spend that kind of time with his family, like he’s doing now. They’re going places, Jimmy runs like crazy now, jogs everywhere.’

The audience even got to find out that the youngest Osmond has a brand new hobby as well – painting. According to Merrill’s account, it looks like his little brother is getting better by the day. This is expected to be ongoing in the last month of 2022 as well, which, although still keeping the celebrity out of the limelight, gives fans much less to worry about in the long run.

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

3 hours 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

3 hours 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.