Mia Morris, a Brentwood resident, blew judges away with her one-woman show during the 2022 “America’s Got Talent” competition auditions.
Morris, 17, is a rising senior at Brentwood High School. She performed during the fifth week of auditions with all four judges voting to send her to the next round of the competition.
Judge Simon Cowell, who Morris said can be a little scary, even called her performance “genius” after giving his comments.
“People can be afraid of Simon, and he can be scary, but he is just a person,” she said.
Host Howie Mandel explained to the audience prior to the performance what the term “looping” means, then gave a standing ovation for Morris.
“‘Looping’ is like having a recording studio at your feet. I record each individual sound then loop it together,” Morris said.
Morris is a songwriter who plays multiple instruments. Her dream is to share her music and songwriting with the world. She has written more than 100 songs with more than 40 currently on Spotify.
“I’ve written a lot of songs, because I have learned you have to write the bad song to get to the good ones,” she said.
Morris walked onto the “AGT” stage with poise, grace and a sense of humor that had the judges laughing. She showed the confidence she has in her music.
“Stepping out on the stage, I was not that nervous in the environment, because I had been there immersed in the ‘AGT’ culture,” she said. “I even sat in the audience for the sake of knowing what the other contestants went through on stage.”
While Morris began with piano lessons, the drums are what she really enjoys.
“Music has been in my veins since as long as I can remember,” she said. “I listen to music, attend concerts and write songs.”
Morris was inspired by The Beatles, but she also gets inspiration from most of the music she listens to — even if it is not something she likes, it still leaves something with her.
“I was raised a classic rock fan,” she said. “I like to think of myself as a female version of The Beatles. Dave Grohl is amazing, and there is no possible way to love him more after reading his book.”
Morris creates music in her basement. She joked that she basically lives in her studio.
This is the first competition she has ever entered. Watching “The Voice” and other shows led to the formation of her one-woman act that she used in her to audition.
While college is a backup plan, Morris hopes to be too busy performing and perfecting her craft to attend. Her plan for what comes next is hopefully adding to the production and sharing more of her original songs with the audience.
“AGT” live shows begin airing Aug. 9 and run through Sept. 13.
Those interested in watching Morris perform in Nashville should visit The Listening Room, where she performs on Monday nights with a group of other female songwriters.
