Jackie Evancho is proof that sometimes sending-in a video tape is better than showing-up in-person!

“America’s Got Talent” Executive Producer Jason Raff spent some time this morning answering our questions about the upcoming season of the show and how production staff keeps finding new acts. One phenomenal act that was found during season five’s YouTube submissions came from a ten year old child named Jackie Evancho.

What viewers do not know is that it wasn’t Jackie’s first time auditioning for the talent show. Raff stated that it’s due to a lot of people not knowing what to do at auditions. In fact, Evancho tried-our two times prior to her YouTube video. ‘

Raff stated, “We have a lot of repeat acts. There are acts that have tried out for six years, and I’m sure I will see them every year. Then there are other acts that have grown over the years.” One such act proved to be talented singer Jackie Evancho.

Raff revealed in his interview, that Evancho tried-out for the show two times before she got on the show and “she grew as a performer over a short period of before she was ready to do it.” Raff also stated that finding those “Wow” factor acts, there is a big fear and pressure every season to live up to that. “Thankfully America is a big country” stated Raff. “So, now there’s a next generation So over 7 years the people that weren’t ready, maybe ready now.” Such as in the case with Evancho.

Jackie Evancho’s interview from “America’s Got Talent” Season 5 Final Four below:

“We see thousands of people it’s hard to pinpoint what was different [with Jackie] at that time. It’s hard auditioning especially for young kids. You can be spectacular on video. But she never sent a video in before.” Raff said that for people auditioning, sometimes nerves get the better part of them, and they don’t perform like like they intended to. “It’s different to walk into a room at any age. Sometime the acts just aren’t ready, then they come back and they nail it. A lot of folks don’t know what works at auditions. They come back and sing the same songs, ” said Raff. He says one of the songs that he’s heard sing 10,000 times in his life is “Summertime”.

When one of the “America’s Got Talent” producers saw Jackie’s video tape come in on YouTube they said “that’s that girl and she is spectacular!”

New cities that the “America’s Got Talent” casting crew will be visiting this year, Raff listed, are: St. Louis, Mo; Anaheim, Ca; Tampa, Fla.; and Austin, Texas. New York and Charlotte will be re-visited this year. Raff said they are seeing more new cities this year than they have ever before. To pre-register, visit: http://americasgottalentauditions.com/

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT AUDITION DATES:
Auditions will be held in New York, N.Y. on October 8 and 9 at the Jacob Javits Center; St. Louis, MO on October 22 and 23 at St. Louis Convention Center; Washington D.C. on November 5 and 6 at the Washington D.C. Convention Center; Tampa, Fla. on November 12 and 13 at Tampa Convention Center; Anaheim, Calif on December 10 and 11 at the Anaheim Convention Center; Austin, Texas on January 14 and 15 at the Austin Convention Center; and Charlotte, N.C. on Februay 4 and 5 at the Charlotte Convention Center.