How Putri Ariani, a Blind Singer from Indonesia, Won Simon Cowell's Heart on AGT

Putri Ariani is a name that has been trending on social media lately. The 17-year-old blind singer from Indonesia impressed millions of viewers with her golden voice and earned the Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell on America's Got Talent (AGT). Here are some facts you need to know about this rising star.

Putri Ariani's Background and Journey

Putri Ariani was born on December 31, 2005, in Bangkinang, Kampar, Riau, Indonesia⁶. She was diagnosed with Retina of Premature (ROP), a condition that causes blindness in premature babies, when she was three months old⁵. Despite her disability, she never gave up on her passion for music. She started singing when she was four years old and learned to play the piano by ear when she was six².

Putri Ariani first gained fame when she won Indonesia's Got Talent in 2014 at the age of nine⁵. She also joined the Official Theme Songs Asian Para Games 2018 with other famous Indonesian singers such as Once, Armand Maulana, Vidi Aldiano, and Maudy Ayunda⁵. She has a YouTube channel where she posts covers of various songs by local and international artists. She also released an original song called "Loneliness" in May 2023⁵.

Putri Ariani's Audition on AGT

Putri Ariani auditioned for AGT season 18 with her original song called "I'm Not Giving Up", which she wrote during the COVID-19 pandemic. She said that being on the AGT stage was her dream since she was a child and that she hoped to become a world-class diva like Whitney Houston and win a Grammy Award³.

Her performance captivated the audience and the judges with her powerful vocals and emotional delivery. Simon Cowell, who is known for his harsh criticism, was so moved by her voice that he went on stage and asked her to sing another song. Putri Ariani then sang "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" by Elton John and dedicated it to Simon⁴.

Simon praised Putri Ariani for having an amazing and distinctive voice and said that he had a feeling that she was going to do well in the competition. He then pressed the Golden Buzzer, which sent Putri Ariani straight to the live shows. The other judges, Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, and Howie Mandel, also gave her standing ovations and compliments⁴.

Putri Ariani's Impact and Recognition

Putri Ariani's audition video has gone viral on YouTube, with over 20 million views and thousands of comments as of June 8, 2023. Many people expressed their admiration and support for her talent and courage. Some celebrities also tweeted about her performance, such as Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, and Leona Lewis.

Putri Ariani's success also caught the attention of senior diplomats from both Indonesia and the United States. The Indonesian Ambassador to the US, Muhammad Lutfi, congratulated her on Twitter and said that she was an inspiration for many people. The US Ambassador to Indonesia, Sung Kim, also praised her on Twitter and said that he looked forward to seeing her in the live shows¹.

Putri Ariani is not only a talented singer but also a role model for people with disabilities. She has shown that nothing can stop her from pursuing her dreams and sharing her gift with the world. She has also brought pride and joy to her country and inspired many people with her positive attitude and determination.