When Sophie Fatu walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage, it was hard not to notice how young she was.
She was only five years old.
But Sophie wasn’t nervous about being surrounded by four famous judges and a huge studio audience. In fact, before she even started singing, she already seemed completely comfortable talking to them.
Then she opened her mouth and began singing one of Frank Sinatra’s most recognizable classics.
The song was “My Way.”
What followed was an audition that earned a standing ovation, four yes votes and a place in the next round of the competition.
A Five-Year-Old Who Loved the Classics
Sophie Fatu auditioned for Season 13 of America’s Got Talent in 2018.
Although she was just five, Sophie already had a strong connection to classic music. She had become known for singing songs associated with legendary performers, particularly Frank Sinatra.
That made her song choice for AGT especially interesting.
Instead of choosing a contemporary children’s song, Sophie selected “My Way,” a classic famously associated with Sinatra.
It was an ambitious choice for someone her age.
But Sophie appeared completely unfazed.
She Had Simon Cowell in Her Sights
Before singing, Sophie immediately showed the judges that she had a very big personality.
She called Simon Cowell “Mr. Simon” and told him that she had dreamed that he would press the Golden Buzzer for her.
The exchange immediately made the audience laugh and helped establish Sophie’s personality before the music even started.
Simon was clearly amused.
But the real test was still coming.
Could this tiny five-year-old actually handle a Frank Sinatra song on the AGT stage?
Sophie was about to answer that question.
Then She Started Singing “My Way”
When the music began, Sophie launched into “My Way.”
The contrast was striking.
She was a tiny child standing in the middle of a massive television stage, but the song was one that audiences normally associate with a much older performer.
Sophie didn’t try to hide from that contrast.
Instead, she embraced it.
Her performance demonstrated confidence, clear phrasing and a surprising ability to remember and deliver the lyrics of such a mature song.
The audience quickly became captivated.
And the judges were clearly enjoying what they were hearing.
The Judges Were Completely Won Over
By the end of the performance, the reaction was unmistakable.
The audience gave Sophie a standing ovation.
The judges were equally enthusiastic.
Simon admitted that the performance was not what they had expected. He also praised Sophie for being funny and adorable, while the other judges expressed their admiration for the young singer.
One of the reasons the audition worked so well was that Sophie wasn’t simply treated as a novelty.
She was genuinely performing.
Her age made the moment charming, but her confidence and musical ability gave the audition substance.
That combination made Sophie one of the most memorable young performers of the season.
Four Yes Votes
After the performance, Sophie received approval from all four judges.
Simon Cowell — Yes.
Heidi Klum — Yes.
Mel B — Yes.
Howie Mandel — Yes.
The four yes votes sent Sophie through to the next stage of America’s Got Talent.
For Sophie, the dream of performing for Simon had officially become reality.
And there was more to come.
Sophie Returned for Judge Cuts
Sophie later returned for the Judge Cuts round.
This time, she performed another Frank Sinatra classic: “New York, New York.”
Once again, the judges and audience were impressed, and Sophie received a standing ovation.
Before that performance, Simon asked Sophie what she would do with the show’s million-dollar prize if she won.
Her answer revealed just how much she loved performing.
Sophie said she didn’t really care about the money and simply wanted to sing for everyone and make them happy.
It was an unusually sweet answer from such a young contestant.
Her AGT Journey Eventually Ended
Despite becoming a fan favorite, Sophie did not advance to the live shows.
She was eliminated during the Judge Cuts stage after performing “New York, New York.”
But the elimination did not erase what she had accomplished.
At only five years old, Sophie had walked onto one of television’s biggest talent stages, performed a Frank Sinatra classic and earned four yes votes from the judges.
Her audition also became one of the memorable young-singer moments from Season 13.
Why Sophie Fatu’s Audition Stands Out
The appeal of Sophie’s audition goes beyond simply being cute.
Her age certainly made the performance charming, but the real surprise was the confidence behind it.
A five-year-old singing “My Way” could easily have become a gimmick.
Instead, Sophie approached the song seriously while still allowing her own personality to shine through.
That contrast is what made the audition so memorable.
She looked like a little girl.
She sounded like a young performer who already knew exactly why she was on the stage.
And she clearly enjoyed every second of it.
Full Performance Information
The supplied video is Talent Recap’s “Sophie Fatu: The CUTEST 5-Year-Old Audition Ever!” and features Sophie’s America’s Got Talent Season 13 audition. The video was published in June 2018 and identifies her performance as the AGT audition.
Sophie performs Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and receives four yes votes from Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel.
Watch the full performance here:
The most memorable part is the moment Sophie begins singing. After seeing a five-year-old confidently introduce herself to the judges, viewers suddenly hear her take on a classic Sinatra song.
Related Stories
- Young singers who surprised Simon Cowell on AGT
- The most memorable child singers on America’s Got Talent
- Adorable AGT auditions that earned four yes votes
- Young performers who sang classic songs on talent shows
- Sophie Fatu’s return performance of “New York, New York”
Final Thoughts
Sophie Fatu was only five years old when she stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage.
She had a big personality, a huge smile and an even bigger song choice.
Then she started singing Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”
The audience loved it.
The judges were impressed.
And all four judges said yes.
Sophie would eventually be eliminated during Judge Cuts, but her first audition remained a memorable moment from Season 13.
Sometimes a performance becomes unforgettable because of extraordinary technique.
Other times, it’s the combination of personality, confidence and genuine love of performing.
Sophie Fatu had all three.
And at just five years old, she showed the AGT audience that she was already comfortable taking the stage her own way.
