Before she ever stepped onto the America’s Got Talent stage, 19-year-old Kristen Cruz was already a viral sensation. Known to her millions of TikTok followers as the “coffee girl,” Kristen’s unique brand of content featured her belting out powerhouse vocal covers while casually preparing matcha lattes and protein shakes in her kitchen. However, her Season 17 audition proved she was far more than just a social media trend.
Walking onto the stage with a humble, down-to-earth energy, Kristen shocked the judges—and the world—the moment she began singing “I See Red” by Everybody Loves an Outlaw. Her voice, described by Simon Cowell as “seasoned” and “unbelievable,” possessed a gravelly, soulful depth that defied her age. The performance earned her a unanimous standing ovation and four “yes” votes, with Heidi Klum even declaring, “I want your voice!”
Throughout the competition, Kristen continued to showcase her versatility, moving into the Semifinals with a powerful rendition of Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus’s “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart.” While her journey concluded in the Semifinals, her impact remained undeniable. Kristen used her platform to promote body positivity and authenticity, famously stating that she wanted to show people they don’t have to be the “industry standard” to be successful. Today, she continues to release original music and inspire her massive digital audience with the same raw, grit-infused vocals that first made her an AGT legend.
