When Daneliya Tuleshova walked onto the America’s Got Talent stage in 2020, many American viewers were discovering her for the first time. But behind that seemingly nervous 13-year-old singer was a young performer who had already spent years competing on some of the biggest youth music stages.

Born in Kazakhstan, Daneliya had been developing her musical talent from a very young age. By the time she reached America’s Got Talent, she had already built an impressive résumé that included international competitions, television talent shows and major performances.

Her Competition Journey Started Young

Daneliya first attracted attention in Kazakhstan as a child performer. At around eight years old, she took part in the Kazakh competition Ayaglagan Astana, which served as a selection opportunity for the international Children’s New Wave competition.

In 2015, she won the Kazakh competition and went on to the Children’s New Wave finals, where she received the Audience Award. That early success helped establish her as one of the young vocal talents to watch.

But that was only the beginning.

A Major Victory on The Voice Kids Ukraine

In 2017, Daneliya competed in Hopes of Europe, where she won the grand prize. Later that year, she auditioned for the fourth season of The Voice Kids Ukraine.

Her blind audition was particularly memorable. She performed Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold,” and all three coaches turned their chairs for her. Daneliya ultimately chose Monatik as her coach and continued through the competition.

She eventually reached the grand final—and won.

At only 10 years old, Daneliya became the winner of The Voice Kids Ukraine, making history as the first non-Ukrainian to win the competition.

From Ukraine to the Junior Eurovision Stage

Daneliya’s success continued beyond talent-show television.

In 2018, she represented Kazakhstan at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Minsk, Belarus, performing her song “Ózińe sen.” She finished in sixth place with 171 points.

For a young singer who had already won an international television competition, the Junior Eurovision appearance became another important milestone in her rapidly growing career.

She Even Appeared on The World’s Best

Before America’s Got Talent, Daneliya also appeared on CBS’s The World’s Best in 2019.

At just 12 years old, she competed on the international talent competition, representing Kazakhstan. The experience placed her alongside performers from around the world and gave American audiences another early glimpse of the young singer’s abilities.

By this point, Daneliya was far from being an unknown newcomer.

She had already performed on major international stages, competed against talented young singers and built years of experience under the spotlight.

Then Came America’s Got Talent

When Daneliya finally auditioned for America’s Got Talent in 2020, she performed “Tears of Gold” by Faouzia.

The judges—Simon Cowell, Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel—each voted yes, sending her through to the next round.

For viewers who knew nothing about her background, the performance was a major introduction. But for longtime followers of Daneliya’s career, it was another chapter in a journey that had already begun years earlier.

She went on to become a finalist on AGT Season 15, proving that her appearance was not simply a one-time viral moment.

More Than Just an AGT Contestant

Daneliya’s story is a reminder that many performers who appear on major American talent shows have already spent years developing their craft.

Before America’s Got Talent, Daneliya had competed in Kazakhstan, won The Voice Kids Ukraine, represented Kazakhstan at Junior Eurovision and appeared on The World’s Best.

That history helps explain why her performances often carried a level of confidence and vocal control beyond what audiences might expect from such a young singer.

Her journey didn’t end with AGT, either. She later returned to the franchise for America’s Got Talent: All-Stars in 2023, performing again on the international stage.

From a young performer in Kazakhstan to international competitions and eventually one of America’s biggest talent shows, Daneliya Tuleshova’s journey shows that her AGT appearance was not the start of her story—it was another major chapter in a career that had already been years in the making.

And that is what makes her story so fascinating: when Daneliya stepped onto the AGT stage, she wasn’t simply a talented teenager hoping for her big break. She was already a seasoned young performer ready for an even bigger audience.