13-year-old ventriloquist Ana-Maria Mărgean, who previously won Romania’s Got Talent Season 11 gives a jaw-dropping performance on America’s Got Talent: All-Stars. In the clip, she shares that AGT winner Terry Fator inspired her to pursue ventriloquism. For her All-Stars performance, Ana-Maria was joined by her adorable dog puppet Waldo. Together, they sang a powerhouse rendition of “You Don’t Own Me” by Lesley Gore. Ana-Maria proved just how skilled she is at ventriloquism.
Before the performance, Ana-Maria shared how Terry Fator inspired her to take up ventriloquism. Her parents gave her a puppet for her 11th birthday, and she ended up auditioning for Romania’s Got Talent. Ana-Maria said ventriloquism isn’t popular in her country, so she was shocked when she received a Golden Buzzer.
The young performer went on to win the competition. She shared that after the show, her “life changed completely.” Her family was able to upgrade from their cramped apartment to a spacious new home. Ana-Maria said she dreamed of appearing on AGT someday.
All three judges gave Ana-Maria a standing ovation for her performance. Heidi Klum told her it was “no wonder” she won Romania’s Got Talent, complimenting her singing voice and her sense of humor. Howie Mandel marveled at the fact that Ana-Maria only started practicing ventriloquism in the past couple of years. He asked her where she got her puppet, and Ana-Maria shared that her mom made it for her.
Simon Cowell then pretended to be shocked that it wasn’t a real dog. He said it was “really, really exciting” to see winners from other countries compete on AGT. Cowell added that he liked Ana-Maria’s dog puppet, so Mandel suggested that her mother should make one for him.
Ana-Maria said she’d ask her mom, but she was “sure she’ll say yes.” Tune in Monday night at 8/7c on NBC to find out if the Superfans voted Ana-Maria through to the AGT: All-Stars Finals.
