How did you feel about telling the judges and audience about your own experience with stuttering?


When I stepped onto the stage in Pasadena, California I was so nervous. There was a split second where I wanted to run off the stage and hide but I knew that I was there for a reason. As soon as I opened my mouth, I had a block. As I looked out into the audience, everyone was on their toes waiting for me to speak. When I told everyone that I stuttered, it was like everyone exhaled. I believe that when we are vulnerable to others, we have the ability to create a space for everyone. Because I shared my struggles, people could relate to me. I think that is such a beautiful thing.


How is your stuttering today? What do you do to control or manage it, if anything?


My stutter is still present and affects my daily life, but I have accepted it. I know that it will probably never go away and that is ok. I do a lot of things physically to relax my body. First thing in the morning I journal and list things that I am thankful for. That puts me in the right heart posture for the day. I also take time to breathe and be silent to calm my body. Starting the day off right has been such a game changer for me mentally, emotionally, and physically. I think that is something that everyone should do.


How did you feel about telling the judges and audience about your own experience with stuttering?


The biggest challenge I face with my stuttering is interacting with people day to day. As a person who stutters, I want people to be educated on stuttering but that can come with a lot of challenges. Dealing with people who don’t understand is tough but it’s also beautiful because we have the opportunity to teach the world to be patient.


What is your greatest accomplishment with regard to stuttering?


I think my greatest accomplishment regarding my stutter was going on America’s Got Talent. I had always wanted to be an advocate for stuttering, but I never believed I could until I found myself with the opportunity to use my speaking and singing voice. I think it’s such a beautiful thing when we can use our gifts and talents to encourage others.


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Based upon your experiences, what would you like to tell children who stutter?


I wish I had someone tell me when I was younger that I was not alone in my stuttering. We are not alone! There are so many people that go through things that make them think they are alone but that is a lie not worth believing. Just because we talk a little differently, does not make us any less.


Based upon your experiences, what would you tell parents of children who stutter?


I am grateful to have parents that never treated me any differently. The biggest thing parents can do is assure their kids that they are strong, capable, and not alone. Recently I had the pleasure of attending the National Stuttering Association Annual Conference. One thing that we talked about was a lot of parents initially think that their child is going through a phase but a lot of the times that is not the case. That also might lead to parents contacting pediatricians instead of speech pathologists who will not only address the stutter but address the mental affects it has on children.


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