The talent show did not disappoint. The audition for Fire Wilmore, a 22-year-old exotic dancer who tries to change her life through her voice, was an emotional roller coaster.
Judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie treated Maja, almost 4, as Wilmore filled in the blanks in her life: her mother’s drug problems, which led to Wilmore’s placement in the custody of the state. How Wilmore ended up “pregnant and single” at age 18. And now with a purpose: “I have to stop dancing. I have to do this for my daughter.
Wilmore sang “Talking to the Moon” by Bruno Mars and it was pretty cool. But it wasn’t great, and the panelists kindly told him so. Perry even trained her a little. However, criticism and kind encouragement could not stop Wilmore’s tears.
In an awkward moment, Maja took a golden ticket, which is given to contestants as a pass to the next round, and handed it to her mother. “I think I found this,” said the little girl.
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