Adaline Bates, a 63-year-old from Arizona, walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage with a story that many could relate to. A former vocal coach and group singer, Adaline admitted that she had lost her confidence for solo performing decades ago after her teenage group disbanded. For years, she put her children first, setting her own musical dreams aside to focus on her family. Now that her children are grown, she decided it was finally time to put herself on the “front burner” and see if she still had what it takes to captivate an audience.
The performance began in a truly bizarre fashion when Adaline briefly left the stage to “get ready,” only to return in a costume that was split down the middle. One side represented a glamorous woman, while the other side depicted a man in a tuxedo. As she began to sing the classic “Unforgettable,” the audience was stunned to hear two distinct voices: a high, beautiful soprano and a deep, resonant baritone. Adaline was literally performing a duet with herself, physically turning from side to side to switch characters and vocal ranges with incredible precision.
The judges were delighted by the unexpected “dual” performance, giving her a standing ovation for her creativity and range. Simon Cowell noted that while the act was funny, it was also genuinely good singing, while Julianne Hough praised her for being “rad” and unique. The panel loved her energy and the fact that at 63, she was finally having her “me time” in the spotlight. With three enthusiastic “yeses,” Adaline proved that it is never too late to reinvent yourself and surprise the world with a hidden talent.
