she just won the cowell usa talent thing out here; spot Piers Morgan a judge; a star in the making and remember 11 years old.

Sends a shudder down my spine; 11 year olds should not have voices like that, should not sing songs like that.
I get a Jon Benet Ramsay feeling.
The problem is... they simply do not understand interpretation.
I was in the Front Row at the premier of Dream Girls in New York in the early 80's when Jennifer Holliday brought down the house and stopped the show with this - quite rightly.
Piers - you should be ashamed of yourself.

I really do not like the idea of kids being what appears to be put on the stage.
Yes , she does have an amazing voice, but lets put this into perpective.
Her homework is probably suffering because of too many extra curricular activities, i.e vocal lessons.
If she doesn`t crack it (which she probably will in this case), there is probably no back up of a career idea.
Does she have friends and a normal life for someone that age?
I doubt it.
My favourite toy at her age was a new album, and after only "making a living", in this job at my now middle age, I really do regret that it was not a set of those little cars that used to run around the little orange race track.
So many parents have asked me to tutor their kids, and I could sense the push push push from them, trying to get their kids to succeed in what they themselves failed at. I allways refuse in those cases, I prefer to not have their money.
And of course , kids singing adult lyrics is just plain wrong.

Watching her carefully, she doesn't give the impression of having been "put on stage"; rather I think she is doing what she loves. I'd guess she has a fairly 'normal' happy childhood away from the stage. I also think most 11 yr olds understand the song's lyrics very well.

A friend of mine who is a young actor, apearances from the age of 6 in various demanding roles, attends school, plays ball with his friends, goes fishing, etc .... proving that a life on stage or screen does not necessarily ruin a childhood, if managed correctly.

This was an amazing performance from a girl with a very natural ability. I wish her success.

Dear Cat.
I was obviously playing devils advocate a wee bit,and this is a talented kid, there is no doubt about it.
What I was attempting to illustrate, which is very difficult whilst typing and not using mannerisms and facial expressions in words which people can actually react to as a human being, is that so many parents think their kids will be stars and force learning on them to do this, which of course has no guarantees of success, anymore than the genuine prodigees.
I never wish anyone less than good luck, but it does not mean I can honestly say I like what they are doing, which in this case I do not.

Found another youtube thing with doing a Janis Joplin number (Another Piece of my Heart)

I sincerely hope it's not prophetic.

Years ago when Charlotte Church was emerging there were some comments about not singing during early teens if you want to be a great singer later.

I seem to remember her saying something to the effect of "I'll take the chance now because it may not be there later".

Good luck to the girl - she may need it.

her CD is out in states Nov 14th I think

One word FREAKISH.

She'll be popular and get invoeld with drugs and booze.

Take Leif Garret popular teen singer then bang depression sinks in at takes heroion and fade away.

That's right Andrew .... be positive!

She might do a Shirley Temple and become a US Ambassador.

But I agree that kids in this position need the right guidance and protection.

Just read today in Billboard she's been signed to Columbia Records with album coming out in November.
She's actually not a bad little performer, huge voice,
sort of reminded me of Andrea McArdle when she was on
Broadway in "Annie" what feels like 900 years ago.
Of course keep in mind she one against a guy who snapped his fingers and "Rappin' Granny".

so she ONE did she ha ha ha.also her cd is out Nov 14th as already stated.the show she won on was a rip off same format as "gong show",us oldies will remember that,Simon Cowell says its an original idea??????whatever happens Cowell will just get richer.Oh and she wins $1 million dollars cash

don't pick on me Cilla...I posted this really late last night after a 12 hour work day...
Oi yourself