11-Year-Old Earns Standing Ovation With ‘I Will Always Love You’ - Audition Videos

Whitney Houston, a once-in-a-generation talent, had one of the best voices. She could reach and hold high notes and sing poppy, catching tunes. Covering a Whitney Houston song will always be a tall order.

However, the boundless talent of Whitney Houston did not stop one 11-year-old girl from covering what is likely her most popular song. Serena Rigacci, a contestant on Next Star, a popular foreign talent show, sang Whitney’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Seconds after the music begins and Serena begins singing, it appears that one of the judges loves the performance. She remarks, “Wow.”

Serena gives the studio audience a dazzling performance of Whitney’s beloved classic. A number of times throughout the nearly four-and-a-half-minute clip, the studio audience applauds her performance. 

The song has one of the simplest yet memorable choruses in musical history, mainly due to how Whitney delivers those and holds the high notes.

In addition to Serena’s beautiful singing, the stage is delightfully lit and decorated. The dark blue hues of the lights go perfectly with the song’s somewhat melancholy lyrics. The screen behind hers plays a video of a rainstorm. 

Through the magic of lighting and visual effects, it appears the young performer is standing in a rainstorm.  

By the song’s end, the judges are on their feet, giving the performer a standing ovation. One of the female judges even says to herself that Serena’s rendition of Whitney’s song is “perfect.”

Yes, Serena’s performance is fantastic. In the last minute and a half of the song, she takes it up another notch, reaching, hitting and holding those high notes! When she has likely shown off all that her voice can do, she surprises you! 

Serena made Whitney proud! Whitney would no doubt approve of this cover of her hit.

Psalm 126:2 “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, the Lord has done great things for them.”