We are often granted opportunities to the people that we know. The adage: “It’s not what you know but who you know” gets thrown around frequently and we have all, at one point or another, benefited from obtaining a lead or insider information through friends or family. What if that opportunity did not exist? What if you left your home, your family, your friends, and everything you were familiar with behind just to embark on a journey with unknown obstacles.
On a Saturday afternoon in the beautiful San Fernando Valley, individuals who shared this path gathered at Ganas Auto. Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento, a show dedicated to granting individuals an opportunity to be center stage, had set up shop to let them show the world what they were made of. They were given the opportunity to bypass who they knew and were able to focus on what they knew. Each participant left it all on stage, holding nothing back, realizing they may never get this chance again.
I had the pleasure of interviewing several talents after their riveting performances. I learned quickly that even though many shared a long journey that led them to this moment, their stories could not be more diverse. I met a young woman who came from Guatemala who came to study music with aspirations of becoming a world-class icon like her idol Freddie Mercury.Another young man wanted to use his talents to overcome a past riddled with mistakes in hopes of reuniting with his children.
It’s easy to forget what it’s like to throw caution to the wind and take a chance once we find comfort in our daily routines. If we took a risk and stopped relying on who we know and just laid it all on the line and relied on our faith on what we know we may just get a chance to become something greater than we ever imagined. I wish all the contestants the best of luck in this competition and that all of you reading might gain the courage to throw caution to the wind and pursue your dreams.
Watch the Tengo Talento 2018 Auditions:
(Most of the interviews are in Spanish)