Ventriloquists are often misunderstood by people who don’t see them as “real acts”. However, something worth doing is worth doing well. This teenage ventriloquist has shown just how true that is.
Darci Lynne Farmer
This talented singer/ventriloquist from Oklahoma won season 12 of America’s Got Talent at just 12 years of age, making her the youngest contestant to win. Her talent as a ventriloquist is undeniable, and it’s exciting to watch her perform.
Being a ventriloquist who “talks” is one thing, however, singing powerful songs through puppets is an entirely different thing. Darci manages to do so in an impeccable manner.
Darci hasn’t always been so comfortable in front of an audience
This super talented girl was once super shy. She found it hard to sing, even in front of her parents, Clarke and Misty.
“It was hard. I wouldn’t talk to people. I would hide behind my mom. I wouldn’t look people in the eye,” she said.
Irrespective of that, her parents never once faltered in their encouragement of her. They entered her into several pageants to boost her confidence.
This pageant, in particular, changed the course of Darci’s life
Darci not only won the International Mini Miss Pageant in Las Vegas but also made a new friend in the teenage winner, Laryssa Bonacquisti.
The teenager then introduced Darci to ventriloquy. Unsurprisingly, Darci fell in love with the art form. However, she did not have the support of her parents initially who insisted that she was a singer, not a ventriloquist. Eventually, her parents gave in and got her a puppet for her 10th birthday.
Long story short, Darci competed for the 12th season of America’s Got Talent in 2017, and won, taking home the $1,000,000 grand prize.
Such a bright future
Indeed it is, how many 14-year-olds have a net worth of $3,000,000? Aside from America’s Got Talent prize money, she has appeared in other performances.
Also, other than her TV presence, she has quite the social media presence with almost 100,000 followers on Instagram and 1 million followers on Tick Tock.
She has performed at Caesar’s Palace, Grand Ole Opry, America’s Got Talent, and America’s Got Talent: The Champions, Little Big Shots, The Today Show, Ellen, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Most people can only dream about being audience members at some of these shows, but here is Darci being the star of the shows. It just goes to show how amazing the teenager is. [1]
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Winner of the first season of American Idol in 2002, Kelly Clarkson has gone on to do incredible things. With powerful vocals and a quiet charm about her, it’s no surprise that Clarkson has gone on to do great things, one of which is getting her show, The Kelly Clarkson Show. [2]
Described by The New York Times as “consistent and beloved”, and able to defeat an industry that “routinely overvalues the new and young”. Clarkson has shown that patience, hard work, and perseverance will pave the way to success. [3] She invited Darci to perform on her show.
Darci wowed the audience at the show
Darci, who came with her trusty puppet, Oscar, did justice to Etta James’ classic “Something’s Got a Hold On Me”. Clarkson and Hoda Kotb, the Today Show host who was also a guest at that episode, was blown away by Darci’s performance. [4]
The song, which had a few high notes, was “sung” by Oscar with Darci by the side and with a big smile on her face. After her performance, the audience went wild, and Clarkson said to her “That was truly amazing… That is so great!”[5]
Check out the video below!
Ventriloquy: a misunderstood art form
It’s surprising to see ventriloquists doing so well considering the stereotypes people had/still have about them. Big-time comedian and ventriloquist Dan Horn is one of the best in the business, however, he prefers not to be introduced as a ventriloquist. He would rather let his work speak for itself — quite literally.
According to him, when he is introduced as a ventriloquist people just think, “‘Oh, ventriloquist. Great’. They just kind of prejudice right off the bat.”
“I think the stereotype of the ventriloquist is the guy who tells bad jokes with a puppet that doesn’t look real and he moves his lips,” added Horn. [6]
The narrative seems to be changing
They are truly doing well for themselves nowadays. Here are a few ventriloquists who have outdone themselves in the field.
Terry Fator
Fator won the second season of America’s Got Talent with his ventriloquy and singing act. He had incredible “mainstream success” after the show and is still doing well for himself.
Paul Zerdin
Unlike Fator and Darci, Zerdin isn’t a singer. His skills with a puppet involve improvisation and making different sounds at once. He won the 10th season of America’s Got Talent. [7]
Jeff Dunham
While Dunham isn’t a winner of America’s Got Talent, you cannot mention successful ventriloquists without mentioning Dunham’s name. Despite having “offensive, dysfunctional, and stereotypical” puppets, this ventriloquist has found his way into people’s hearts.
From sold-out stadiums to over 1 billion views on YouTube, Dunham is one of the highest-paid comedians on the planet and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. [8]
It’s simply amazing to see ventriloquists defeat the stereotypes that they have been encased in for so long. Being a ventriloquist takes skills that should never be disregarded as ordinary. It takes extraordinary talent to speak through another vessel.
Kudos to the great ventriloquists of our time.
References
- About. Darci Lynne. 2020.
- The winner of American Idol’s first season, later a hugely successful crossover pop star. All Music. 2020.
- The Persistence of Pink and Kelly Clarkson, Outspoken Pop Survivors. The New York Times. 2017.
- Photos and video: ‘America’s Got Talent’ champ Darci Lynne Farmer wows with her performance on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’. Oklahoman. 2020.
- ‘AGT’ Winner Darci Lynne On ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ Is Must-See TV [VIDEO]. Talent Recap. 2020.
- Ventriloquist Says Read His Lips : Comedy: Dan Horn of Irvine insists that he and his soft-sculpture hand puppets don’t fit the stereotype. Los Angeles Times. 1990.
- The 5 Best Ventriloquists In ‘America’s Got Talent’ History. Talent Recap. 2020.
- How Jeff Dunham’s offensive puppets became the voice of Trump’s America. The Guardian. 2018.