Junior Eurovision star Daneliya Tuleshova continues to blaze a trail of fabulous through the United States. Daneliya’s style, confidence, stage presence, and voice have helped her win over legions of new fans, and she’s repeatedly scooped up the judges’ praise in her run on America’s Got Talent. On Wednesday night, during the live results show, we learned that Daneliya’s journey isn’t over yet. Put up some speed bumps: our girl is one of the five new acts roaring in to next week’s final.
Having to wait about half an hour into the results show to learn her fate, tension mounted as she was placed in the second pairing with two other groups. The first was Voices of Our City Choir — a choir from San Diego, California who had all experienced homelessness in their lives at one point or another. Owing to their raw talent and moving backstory, they’re considered a producer and viewer favorite. The other was W.A.F.F.L.E Crew — a lively break dancing group from New York City. A nervous Daneliya took her spot center stage between the two groups. Host Terry Crews created the expected tension, before it was announced that she was indeed through to the final. Almost immediately, Daneliya looked shocked, and a whirlwind of emotions gave her all those feels.
When asked what she will have to do to win, Judge Sofia Vergara expressed continued confidence in Daneliya’s talent and ability. “I don’t think I have to tell her anything… she knows what she’s doing, she’s already a star!” Daneliya seemed to take these assuring words to heart, with tears welling in her eyes. Asked by Crews what it meant to her to get to the finals, Daneliya appeared to lose what she truly wanted to say in English, but still expressed her appreciation to everyone who voted for her. “Thank you so much, America — I will not disappoint you in the next round! Thank you!” As if this teen queen could ever disappoint…
Next week’s finale promises to be the ultimate challenge for the Kazakhstani songstress. Daneliya faces a wide variety of acts, including five that sing (and very well). Joining Daneliya in the final will be:
- Broken Roots, 38/34, singing duet from Chicago, Illinois
- Alan Silva, 38, aerialist from Las Vegas, Nevada
- Brandon Leake, 27, spoken word poet from Stockton, California
- Archie Williams, 59, singer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Roberta Battaglia, 11, singer from Toronto, Canada
- Kenadi Dodds, 15, singer/musician from Salt Lake City, Utah
- The Bello Sisters, 14-22, acrobatic trio from Italy
- Cristina Rae, 30, singer from Nashville, Tennessee
- BAD Salsa, 16-21, salsa duo from India
Daneliya will have to bring her A-game to stand out against this slew of talent. It remains to be seen what she has planned for the final, but surely Eurofans the world over can unite in hoping she just does her best, continues to slay, and make the fandom proud!
Are you proud of Daneliya for getting this far? What song do you think she should sing in the final? Do you think Daneliya can win it all? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
I hope she will song her JESC song. I’m not saying she should, but it would be more interesting.
She achieved more in her 14 years than me in my 27 years!
America’s Got Talent…for finding contestants that don’t live in America
If Kazakhstan ever make their debut in Eurovision, they should make it with Daneliya, just à la Junior ESC.
I’m so glad to have seen her grow musically from when she was in The Voice Kids Ukraine to now on AGT. She definitely has a bright future ahead! She is a gem! Go Daneliya !
Daneliya never raises her nose, nor drops her head as she boldly goes where few of us have gone. She is not fearless. She is courageous. She is Daneliya.
She is really a shining star. Good luck for the Final Daneliya.
wtf she looks 10 years older in that picture omg
She just eliminated two of the 4 “golden buzzer acts” in that show – and she is not yet giving 100 % . America should prepare for a blast of emotions, stunning vocals and a great show from her in the final. She is a fighter and her time in JESC 2018 helped her so much to be that artist she is right now. We fans will always support our “little one”.
Damn, she basicly destroyes simon’s golden buzzer
I couldn’t have said it better!
I have to admit that Daneliya thus far has really impressed me unlike Roberta Battaglia (who coincidentally is from my part of the country). If she really knocks it out of the park, I think she’s got a shot to win
I agree, she does have a real shot (though the uberfan part of me struggles with expectation of this vs. the realist part of me) — I feel like Christina and Broken Roots are kind of the faves (for Christina, because of her maturity, style, and vocal range, which to be honest, at this point, is better than Daneliya, IMO — and Broken Roots, because of the style of their music, which is very popular in a lot of the US) — but Daneliya is right with them, and a lot of it will come down to performance order, confidence… Read more »