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Bianca Ryan (bio) In the summer of 2006 when she was just 11 yrs old, Bianca Ryan proved to America and the world that she's got talent. Videos of her performances on youtube.com have received to date over 40,000,000 views from literally every part of the world. This 13-year-old singing prodigy was the winner of the premier season of America's Got Talent. Simon Cowell was so amazed at her vocal range and ability that proclaimed that "Bianca Ryan is potentially one of the best singers I have ever heard in my Life." The excitement about Bianca spread and she was sought out by and worked with some of the most gifted writers and producers in the business, including David Foster, Diane Warren, Walter Afanasieff and Emanuel Kiriakou. “This young girls voice is so extraordinary and so mature and you just don’t see this kind of talent very often at all” ~David Foster Bianca Ryan is just the latest chapter in what can only be described as a storybook life come true. "Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of being up on stage performing and seeing people smile and enjoying themselves." Bianca says about this amazing journey "Sometimes I can't believe this is all actually happening to me." Even more unbelievable, her singing career almost happened by accident. Growing up in Philadelphia, Bianca was known as an exceptional dancer, winning national talent competitions for tap. When she was 8, however, she asked her father to take her to an audition for a new television show called Star Search. Bianca's father asked her "what are you going to do when we get there" and she said "I'm going to sing" and her father said "do you think you sing well enough to pass the audition" and she replied “I think so.” Her parents were admittedly confused, since she was a seasoned dancer not a singer, after all. But Bianca had a secret. Unbeknownst to everyone, she'd been fine-tuning her vocal chops in her bedroom at home, singing along to her father’s prized collection of classic Rock, Soul, Gospel and R&B records. Bianca's rendition of "Think" by Aretha Franklin blew the socks off Star Search's producers, and landed her a coveted spot on the show. "I'd never heard her sing like that. I was shocked," says her dad Shawn. At that moment Bianca knew she had something unique, something she had to protect and nurture. "I thank God everyday for the gift of singing he gave me" she says. "I needed to take care of it because not everybody gets this opportunity." She began doing vocal exercises, practicing in the basement of her modest home studio. Her father, Shawn, recalls her singing along to the songs of her idols: Celine Dion, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Holiday, and Selena. "She would sing the Selena songs in Spanish even though she had no idea what they meant," Shawn says. "It was the cutest thing in the world to listen to." Bianca's next stop was amateur kid’s night on Showtime at the Apollo. "It was such an honor for me to sing at the Apollo in front of an audience that felt as passionate about this music as I did." The appearances at the Apollo reinforced the confidence in her ability. Later that year, she also appeared to rave reviews on The Tom Joyner Show. Next up: America's Got Talent. Bianca sang only five words at her first audition, but that was enough to convince the judges to put her on the show. It was the opportunity of a lifetime and Bianca didn't disappoint. Her performance of Holiday's "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" caused panelist David Hasselhoff to declare: "You know what kid? You're a star." More prophetic words could not be spoken. Simon Cowell, the shows executive producer, exclaimed "Bianca Ryan is potentially one of the best singers I have ever heard in my life." Bianca, of course, won the competition and the admiration of millions across the country. Now, the young star is poised to take the world by storm with her two new songs, "Superstar" and "That’s Not Me". Bianca receives mail and is invited to perform in countries all around the world. She toured Europe throughout the winter of 2006-2007 and than embarked on a 29 city tour of the United States with Disney artists Aly & AJ, Corbin Bleu, and Nickelodeon star Drake Bell. On another upbeat track, Bianca gets her holiday groove on with "Why Couldn't It Be Christmas Every Day?" The song was co-written and produced by Walter Afanasieff, whose previous credits include Mariah Carey's classic song "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Bianca's song "Why Couldn't It Be Christmas Everyday" became one of the most requested Holiday songs here and abroad and was asked to go into the studio and record a 5 song Holiday EP. The entire Holiday EP was produced by Walter Afanasieff. This journey has brought Bianca more fame than she could have ever imagined. Still, she keeps it all in perspective. Despite so much success so early in life, she is a 13-year-old to the core. "I like to ride my bike, swim, play basketball, and joke around with my brothers and sisters," she says. Does she ever feel any pressure? "I don't get nervous at all. Actually, I get excited because I'm living my dream."