She won legions of fans around the world when she became Kazakhstan’s first-ever Junior Eurovision representative in 2018. And Daneliya Tuleshova has been expanding her horizons since then. On Tuesday 9 June, eagle-eyed viewers will have seen her appear in episode three of America’s Got Talent’s 15th season.
Daneliya Tuleshova on America’s Got Talent
Sporting darker hair and clothes than some fans might be used to, Daneliya may have been unrecognizable at first glance.
During the pre-performance video package, Daneliya gave a heartfelt explanation of what singing means to her and what it would mean to her to make it in America.
With her mother proudly looking on from the sidelines, and after good luck wishes from judge Simon Cowell, she quickly shook off any nerves as she stepped onto the AGT stage. She sang “Tears of Gold” by Canadian-Moroccan singer Faouzia.
Daneliya belted out every word with emotion and confidence. The audience were immediately behind her, increasing their applause and approval with every note Daneliya made. As the song ended, the crowd and all four judges gave her a well-deserved standing ovation.
Moving to the judges’ critiques, German model Heidi Klum praised Daneliya for the song’s “cool” factor and her transformation during it, stating “You seem so shy, and then “BOOM” the music starts, and you transform into this different person”. She also commented on her stage presence and “swag”.
TV host Howie Mandel then compared her to a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly – “You really just transformed in front of our eyes!”. Even notoriously hard to please judge Simon Cowell showered Daneliya with compliments, saying “It’s kind of your time”. He went on to praise her song choice, even complimenting her “cool” factor. Simon also went on to say he hopes Daneliya’s next song choice is more stripped-down, so her tone can shine. “You’ve got a real, real shot here”, he said, putting an exclamation point on a great audition.
Without hesitation, every judge gave her their “yes” vote, and Daneliya happily walked off stage, receiving a hug from her proud mother, knowing she had advanced to the next round.
Unfortunately, due to the worsening COVID 19 pandemic in the US at the time of taping, production on the show was shut down for several weeks. It is unclear when we will see Daneliya perform next. The first six audition episodes were filmed before the shutdown, and broadcast network NBC is hoping to shoot the Judge Cuts episodes at the end of June with modifications. It is still working out plans to shoot the live episodes.
Daneliya Tuleshova at Junior Eurovision and beyond
At Junior Eurovision 2018 in Minsk, Belarus, Daneliya finished sixth with “Ozine Sen”. Her bright smile, sweet spirit, and mature voice all gained the young songstress attention, for good reason.
And AGT isn’t Daneliya’s first exposure to U.S. audiences. In 2019, she appeared on The World’s Best, a one-off talent competition bringing together acts from around the globe. Daneliya sang her way into the top eight, before a controversy involving fellow Kazakh singer Dimash Kudaibergen’s withdrawal cast a shadow on the show. Dimash claimed he did not know until the moment of their dual that Daneliya was involved. He refused to compete against younger people just building their careers.
Daneilya then lost her quarterfinal dual against Indian child pianist Lydian Nadhaswaram, who eventually went on to be crowned the show’s champion. Daneliya was also scheduled to give a solo concert in Houston, Texas on 29 March of this year, but that was also cancelled because of pandemic fears.
Do you admire Daneliya’s latest performance? Do you think she can make it all the way to the final of America’s Got Talent? What do you hope she sings next? Let us know in the comments.
I can answer your question. Daneliya said in an interwiew with the Kazakh TV station KTK that AGT sent her a letter and invited her for the show. You can watch this interview here: https://youtu.be/t544KUNvpQU
I wonder why Eurovision artists don’t usually perform their Eurovision songs when they compete in reality shows
Just imagine Daneliya performing Ozine Sen on America’s Got Talent, bringing not just her great voice but also something more authentic
they have to choose one of the options that are given.
There is probably some agreement stating that contestants can’t use music they competed with on any other talent show or competition? Also, in general, I think US singing show producers are negative about contestants singing songs in other language, because they feel that most TV viewers watching at home won’t be able to connect emotionally to something they don’t understand (However, this the reason I LOVE hearing new songs and learning about new artists and hearing different languages during Eurovision season)
Can’t say I necessarily disagree with most of your comments, but I still think we can wish Daneliya success!
I understand your point of view, there are always concerns like then whenever someone so young is on any TV talent show — but I also think she has a strong sense of self for her age and would not be out there appearing in any way that didn’t represent herself or singing anything that she felt she couldn’t do justice to.
It’s so good that she is continuing to make music.
I agree! It’s wonderful she has such a passion for wanting to make it, in her own terms!
Why are the judges pretending that they do not know who she is? I’d like to think that one of your jobs as a talent show judge is to watch/be aware of the standout acts from the other shows…
Having said that, of course she is amazing. But, by being on “….’s got talent”, there’s always the chance that she loses out to a typewriting chimpanzee or something.
I really hope she DOESN’T lose to a “typewriting chimpanzee” — that would be a hell of a LOW point, even for US reality talent shows! I expect some of the lack of knowledge of is really judges’ contracts with clauses saying they CAN’T watch other talent shows if they are going to judge, and sadly, also a general lack of knowledge on the producers part, or trying to “create a narrative” on their part — American talent shows love a “plucked from obscurity/nothing existence, transformed into a big star” narrative, and she already being well known in Europe and… Read more »
Heidi Klum did not have the virus. She was just sick with a regular cold. She came back a few days later.
Someone needs to find more reliable news sources.
Speculation was that she could possibly have it — she was quarantined for the recommended 14 days because of it, as was her husband. I probably could’ve been more clear about that,i apologize!
I would love to see her perform “Don’t Cha”, her self-penned song for her next performance. Would be an extra point to showcase her songwriting talent, not just singing!
Good choice!
That girl has the complete package to be or become a worldwide superstar. For me it was a stunning performance in AGT …but she has to sing the words clearer. No question that she is able to do that because all her songs on her youtube channel are outstanding and flawless. Guys, I recommend you to check out her channel on YT ….. and I promise you will subscribe to her. Gosh, what a great artist Daneliya is.
She really is amazing, my favourite jesc 2018 entry by far, I listened to the song a still a good year later