The “Rising Stars Talent Show” is the most-anticipated event of the year in Harmony Heights, a busy city. The competition brings together young artists from all over the region who are all hoping to shine and win a scholarship to a famous arts school that will change their lives.
Emma Lawson, 14, is one of the contestants. She is shy and quiet, but she has a natural talent for singing. Emma’s life hasn’t been easy.
Her mother died after a long illness, and she and her dad, Jack, have had a hard time staying positive. Jack, a mechanic who works hard, has always believed in Emma’s skills and pushed her to follow her dreams, even when things got hard.
When the talent show night comes around, the big theater is packed with excited people. Emma is scared but motivated. Her hands shake and her heart beats fast as she walks onto the stage. She takes a deep breath and starts to sing a song to her mother that she wrote herself. “Right Now” is the name of the hauntingly beautiful tune that talks about love, loss, and having the strength to move on.
As soon as Emma’s voice fills the hall, there is complete quiet. Her performance is honest and moving, and her singing soars with a mix of vulnerability and power that it moves everyone in the room. Many people in the crowd, including the judges, are moved to tears by how deeply Emma feels and how beautiful her voice is.
After the last note ends, there is a moment of stunned silence in the hall before there are cheers and tears. Because they are so moved, the judges get up from their chairs and walk to the stage with tears in their eyes. As they hug Emma, they tell her nice things about herself and inspire her. As a sign of deep respect and admiration for her amazing ability and the bravery she showed by sharing her story through music, they kiss her on the cheek one by one.