🎤🔥 Simon Stopped 62-Year-Old Ronee Martin — Then She Sang Aretha Franklin
When Ronee Martin stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage at 62, she had one goal: show the judges that she still had something special to offer as a singer.
But her audition did not go exactly as planned.
Martin initially performed Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” Partway through, Simon Cowell stopped her and told her he did not think the song was the right choice for her voice.
Then he asked her to try something different.
Martin chose Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” And suddenly, the judges heard a very different side of the 62-year-old singer.
🎤 Who Is Ronee Martin?
Ronee Martin appeared on America’s Got Talent during Season 11 in 2016.
At 62, she was one of the older singers competing that season. Her appearance was notable because of what happened once she began singing.
Rather than giving up after Simon interrupted her first performance, Martin accepted the opportunity to try another song.
That second choice became the defining moment of her audition.
🎶 Simon Cowell Stopped Her First Song
Martin began her audition with Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me.”
But Simon Cowell wasn’t convinced that the song was the right fit.
He stopped the performance and suggested that Martin choose something else.
For a singer standing in front of four judges and a live audience, that could have been a difficult moment.
Instead, Martin got another chance.
She chose “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
And that decision changed the direction of the audition.
❤️ Then Ronee Martin Sang “Natural Woman”
As Martin began singing the Aretha Franklin classic, the judges heard a stronger side of her voice.
The contrast between the two performances became the heart of the audition.
The second song gave Martin a better opportunity to showcase her vocal style, and the judges responded positively.
The audition ultimately earned her four yes votes and sent her through to the next stage.
😱 Why Simon’s Interruption Became the Turning Point
Simon stopping the performance created a dramatic moment, but it also gave Martin the opportunity to make a better musical choice.
Her first song had not fully connected with him.
Her second choice allowed her to show a different side of her voice.
That is what made the audition memorable.
It wasn’t simply about a 62-year-old singer appearing on television. It was about what happened when a performer was given another opportunity.
🌟 Ronee Martin Continued Through the Competition
Martin’s journey continued after the audition.
She advanced to the Judge Cuts and performed Dusty Springfield’s “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.”
She was then selected for the live shows.
During the quarterfinals, Martin performed Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me.”
She ultimately left the competition during the live-show stage, but her original audition remained one of the most memorable moments of her AGT journey.
🎵 The Song Choice Made All the Difference
Martin’s audition is a strong example of how important song selection can be for a singer.
Her first choice did not fully showcase her abilities.
Her second choice did.
When she performed “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” the judges were able to hear a different side of her voice.
The moment shows how the right song can completely change the direction of a performance.
❤️ Ronee Martin’s AGT Audition Remains Memorable
The story is easy to remember.
A 62-year-old singer walks onto the America’s Got Talent stage.
She starts her first song.
Simon stops her.
She gets another chance.
Then she sings Aretha Franklin.
That sequence created a memorable television moment and helped Martin move forward in the competition.
Her audition is also a reminder that a difficult beginning does not necessarily define an entire performance.
Sometimes, the right opportunity and the right song can change everything.
🎤 Final Thoughts
Ronee Martin’s America’s Got Talent audition was far from ordinary.
At 62, she stepped onto the stage and initially struggled to connect with Simon Cowell through her first song. Instead of ending there, she was given another opportunity to choose a different song.
Her decision to sing Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” changed the mood of the audition and allowed the judges to hear a much stronger side of her voice.
The audition ultimately earned Martin four yes votes and sent her forward in the competition.
Her story is a reminder that one difficult first impression does not always tell the whole story.
Sometimes, all a talented performer needs is the right song and another chance.
Watch the original video on YouTube to experience Ronee Martin’s memorable AGT audition for yourself.
