Prison Nurse Dee Dee Simon sings “And I Am Telling You” hoping for that “door” to finally open
America’s Got Talent auditions continue for a 3rd week on Tuesday, including a performance from registered nurse, Dee Dee Simon. The aspiring singer lives in Oakland California and has worked at San Quentin Prison for 19 years.
Dee Dee shares that when she first started working at the prison, she sang a song and a riot broke out. Then she had to triage everybody. “So I waited all these years, and then they asked me and I just did it two months ago, and it was peace!” Only her family know that she’s auditioning.
America’s Got Talent 2024 Spoilers Auditions 3 – Meet the Acts (Photos)
The singer sees her spot on the AGT stage as destiny. “I don’t see myself anywhere else but here right now.” she told Simon Cowell. All of her life, she’s never been able to realize her musical ambitions, because there has always been “something” that got in her way.
She performs “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” by Jennifer Hudson from Dreamgirls. For somebody who doesn’t sing for a living she’s pretty impressive. She hits all the high notes, as the judges panel and audience cheer her on. She’s on her KNEES telling her man that SHE’S NOT GOING.
Dee Dee is NOT an amateur singer! She one had a major label deal
Dee Dee delivers a powerhouse performance like a seasoned profession. That’s because she’s not an amateure. Maybe Dee Dee’s video packaged mentioned that she once had a major label record deal. She was once signed to Interscope Records under the name Danesha Starr. Her collaboration with Rome titled “As Long As I Live” reached #27 on the Billboard R & B/Hip Hop Singles. When Interscope merged with Geffen and A & M Records soon after, the label dropped her.
“You are one of the best singers we’ve had this season”
The performance receives a standing ovation. Sofia Vergara said afterward, “You know it’s coming from your soul. It was a beautiful treat to have you here tonight.”
“To be honest, I think you are one of the best singers we’ve had this season,” said Heidi Klum. She added, “It was just incredible. It was just building and getting better. Then the shoes came off and you were just down on the floor and you were giving it your all. You can really feel how much you want this spot and I feel like you nailed it.”
“You said every time I went to that door something happened and I couldn’t go through the door,” said Howie Mandel. “I think that you are out, you are free. Welcome to the world that you deserve to be in.”
Simon Cowell said, “There’s nothing more frustrating than when you’ve got talent and you just can’t be heard. I promise you tomorrow, things are just going to be better.” He added, “I think you’re going to inspire a lot of other people.” Simon noted that she picked “one of the hardest songs in the world.” He added, “You absolutely nailed it.”
Simon asks Dee Dee if she would dedicate the song to anyone. “To everyone who was told no, keep going because one yes can change your life.”
