This 14-Year-Old Opera Singer Is Dominating the Music Industry

Singing Top 40 in the car is something we can kind of manage (emphasis on kind of), but classical? We're the first to admit that's a job better suited for Jackie Evancho, the 14-year-old starlet who stole our hearts on America's Got Talent and has since made girls everywhere dream of a life on the Lincoln Center stage. It's been two years since her last studio album, but we're happy to report that her latest, Awakening, hits shelves September 23 and will be followed by the ultimate cherry on top for any young singer: a nationally-televised PBS special.

If you're a reality talent show junkie like we are, you probably watched Jackie's season of America Got Talent, the opportunity she credits with her journey to superstardom. "I learned a great deal from the whole experience—it launched me in a big way, which I'm very grateful for," Jackie says. Armed with the stamp of approval from the season five panel (Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, and Howie Mandel), Jackie came in as runner-up at age 10, and she was only getting started.

Fast-forward four years later and Jackie is the youngest solo artist to ever to go platinum. Oh, and did we mention she's sung for the President, First Lady, and Oprah? Because she's sung for the President, First Lady, and Oprah.

Despite her rock-star status, this all started in the humblest (and cutest) of ways. "It really began when my family went to see the movie The Phantom of the Opera," Jackie says. "I loved it so much! I started singing it when I got home, and my parents were like 'wow!' I started auditioning for talent shows, which eventually led me to America Got Talent."

Jackie, who listens to everything from modern pop to EDM to throwback jams from the '80s and '90s, says she got a lot of guidance from her parents, manager, and label for "Awakening", but was able to take the reigns more this time around. "I had a big hand in choosing the songs, the look of the album cover, and the location and creative of the PBS TV special." And speaking of that special, she spilled some deets from the shoot: "It's gorgeous! I shot it at Longwood Gardens, and it's like paradise," she continues. "We covered the stage in flowers and shot in beautiful locations. It was really special. Awakening means the blossoming of beauty, which is what flowers and gardens are all about. I interpret that in song."

You'll have to wait until December to tune into the special (happy holidays to us!), but until then we've got an exclusive clip of Jackie spilling her ultimate downtime activities, because—you know—she's a real down-to-earth girl who loves her dog just like the rest of us.