The theater lights dimmed as a teenage girl in a plain hoodie and jeans stepped onto the stage ofย Next Vocal Star, a small but fiercely competitive talent show.
The judges barely looked up โ until she spoke.
โMy name is Ava Collins. Iโm 17โฆ and Iโm the best singer here.โ
A ripple of laughter spread through the audience. The judges raised their eyebrows. One even smirked.
โIโm serious,โ Ava added calmly. โIโm about to sing one of the most difficult songs in the world โ and Iโll do it better than anyone else.โ
It sounded like pure arrogance.
In a room full of hopeful performers, her bold claim felt risky โ the kind that could backfire badly. The judges exchanged skeptical glances.
Then the music began.
It wasย โI Will Always Love Youโย โ Whitney Houstonโs version. Infamously difficult. Brutal to perform live.
