Aubrey Burchell’s ‘America’s Got Talent’ journey ends in semifinal round
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It didn’t take long for Aubrey Burchell to learn her fate Wednesday night on “America’s Got Talent.”
Burchell was in the first group of three called forward, when 11 semifinal round contestants learned which of them would advance to the finals.
The 21-year-old singer was paired with Kristen Cruz, a singer from Texas, and Travis Japan, a song and dance outfit from Tokyo.
It was Cruz who moved on, although she too was ultimately eliminated before the show ended.
Burchell smiled bravely and gave her competitor a hug before leaving the stage.
“We’re sad that she was cut, but sooo proud of her,” said her friend and mentor Jill Sorrels in a Facebook post.
Sorrels helped boost Burchell’s career by giving her a stage at the former Keynote Cafe in Jeannette when Burchell was 14. Sorrels was in the audience at the Pasadena Civic Center in California for the live show.
“She was brave and gave it everything she had and it was a world-class performance,” Sorrels wrote. “The competition and gigantic productions that she was up against were next level. Nothing but love and respect for Aubrey Burchell!”
The three acts moving through to next week’s finals were pole dancer Kristy Sellars, rapper-magician Mervant Vera and Mayyas, a Lebanese dance troupe.
Throughout the competition, Burchell received standing ovations from the audience and praise from the judges.
After Burchell sang The Weeknd’s “Call Out My Name” in an earlier round, Simon Cowell said, “We’re just witnessing somebody’s career about to skyrocket.”
She has been supporting her singing career with a job as a personal shopper at the North Huntingdon Target, while writing her own songs and performing at venues around the area.
Burchell is set to appear with the Actors and Artists of Fayette County in a production of “Footloose,” set for Sept. 22-25 at the Geyer Performing Arts Center in Scottdale, according to co-director David DeFazio.