National Anthem Superstar Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja Stuns Crowd at UCLA Game
By Ryan General
Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja recently performed another phenomenal rendition of the National Anthem at a UCLA Men’s Basketball game.
Known as America’s most adorable national anthem singer, the 7-year-old Indonesian-American singing sensation did another stunning performance at the 13,000-seater Pauley Pavilion indoor arena last Saturday for the UCLA Bruins.
Tjandrawidjaja, who started taking singing lessons at age three, made her singing debut when she was five years old at the Carnegie Hall in New York City. She sang “On My Own” from “Les Misérables” during American Protege Winners Recital in July 2017.
After winning an online competition, she was picked to sing the national anthem for the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders soccer match last September. The flawless performance made her an internet sensation overnight.
A month later, she performed a majestic Dreamgirls duet with Jennifer Holliday during an appearance on “Good Morning America.”
Tjandrawidjaja, a second grader at a Los Angeles Mandarin immersion school, soon became the most sought-after anthem vocalist in the country, receiving invitations from the Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and even NHRA drag racing.
“Of course I want to be a singer one day,” she told USA Today. “But I love singing the anthem at sports events. I like staying to watch the game, too. But only if it finishes before my bedtime.”
According to the young singer, her biggest dream is to sing at the Super Bowl. “I’m always nervous though,” she was quoted as saying. “If I get something wrong it’s going to be bad because it’s a special song for America.”
Her biggest gathering so far was at the MLS Cup final between Atlanta United and the Portland Timbers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where she belted out the anthem in front of 73,000 live audience members.
Tjandrawidjaja’s undeniable talent has also prompted the “American Idol” judges to give her a golden ticket to cash in advance. Once she reaches the requisite age of 15, she is already guaranteed a place in the show’s Hollywood round.
Tjandrawidjaja’s fans can support the young singer’s first single, “My Only God,” which was released on all digital platforms on December 15.
Featured image via Instagram / maleaemma
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