Bianca Ryan, 26, was the first ever winner of the NBC competition show, America's Got Talent, at the age of 11. She received a standing ovation from the judges for her first audition after she sang the Dreamgirls show tune, "And I'm Telling You I'm Not Going." Executive Producer Simon Cowell said she was "one of the best singers I have ever heard."

After America's Got Talent, Ryan pursued a career in music and became very popular overseas, especially in Germany. She was the first American artist signed to SYCOmusic. Born and raised in Philadelphia, where she still currently lives, Ryan tries to reach mainstream artists and independently puts out her own music.

Ryan's most popular song, "Why Couldn't It Be Christmas Everyday?," has been a Christmas mainstay since she released it in 2006. It has been featured on numerous compilation albums and charts every Christmas season.

After a life-changing operation, Ryan thought her career was over, but she made a comeback and has never been more on top of her career.

10 Released Her First Self-Titled Album

Right after her win on America's Got Talent, Ryan released her first album. Bianca Ryan featured many cover songs like "The Rose" and "I Believe I Can Fly." The album debuted at number 57 on the Billboard top 200 albums chart, selling over 200,000 copies worldwide. It received positive reviews from critics and put Ryan on her path to stardom. After that album, she toured around the world and with many singers including Aly & AJ and more.

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9 Starred In Independent Films

Amazon Music

Aside from music, Bianca has also dabbled in acting. 12 And Holding is a coming of age drama, released in 2005. It was released in limited theaters and starred Jeremy Renner and Zoe Weizenbaum. She didn't have a big part, only listed as Singing Girl. Then in 2014, Ryan starred in We The Kings. She played Layla Knuckles, a homeless musician. She, along with the other cast members, made the soundtrack for the film.

8 Sang In The Thanksgiving Day Parade Many Times

One constant in Ryan's life was performing in The 6ABC Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia. Since the parade kicks off the holiday season, she usually sings her holiday hit, "Why Couldn't It Be Christmas Everyday?" In 2019, she sang in the grand finale and has met many artists through the parade. She has also performed at other Christmas shows across the country.

7 Had Vocal Cord Surgery

Bianca Ryan

Bianca's world came crashing down when she found out that she needed two vocal cord surgeries, because her vocal cords were paralyzed and may never be able to sing again. She kept pushing it off, but after her doctor told her she was at high risk for esophageal cancer, she decided to get it. Ryan also had to have stomach surgery. It held back a lot of her plans and releases, but she knew this was the right thing to do.

6 Starred On Broadway

What happens when three powerhouse champion singers come together? A show-stopping show happens. Ryan, along with Candice Glover, who won season 12 of American Idol, and Josh Kaufman, who was the winner of The Voice Season 6, performed on the Broadway stage in the show, "Home For The Holidays." The 2017 show ran for about a month at the August Wilson Theatre and got people into the holiday spirit.

5 Appeared On 'AGT: The Champions'

This was truly her comeback! After going through so much trouble and setbacks, Bianca Ryan was taking the stage again 13 years later on the first season of AGT: The Champions. She sang A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera's song, "Say Something," in which she received another standing ovation. She was voted into the top 3 that episode, but eventually lost the last vote, eliminating her from the competition.

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4 Launched Beauty Line, 'Ciao Bianca Beauty'

Singer, actress, now entrepreneur! In December 2018, Ryan launched her beauty line, "Ciao Bianca Beauty," which features 23 shades of lipstick. Some of them are named after her songs and others have fun, unique names. They are vegan and cruelty free. Most of the time, you can get them on sale on her Etsy page. She plans to further the business in the future.

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3 Attended The Grammy Awards

Living the dream! In 2019, Ryan got to attend the Grammy awards for the first time. She met many celebrities including AGT judge Heidi Klum, Meghan Trainor, Kane Brown, Alessia Cara, and Shawn Mendes, in which she said she was starstruck. Ryan has never been nominated for a Grammy, but her career is still taking off. Maybe in a few years, she will be.

2 Released Her Comeback EP, 'The Reintroduction'

Bianca Ryan Records

'The Reintroduction Part 1' was released in January 2019. The EP featured all of her previously released singles that was released under her own label, Bianca Ryan Records. Her version of "Say Something" was featured on there and other singles including "Alice," "Man Down," "One Day," and more. Being that she is working as an independent artist, Ryan started a Kickstarter to fund the project, in which she had many rewards for donaters.

1 Releases Holiday  EP, 'What The World Needs Now Is Love'

In 2020, Ryan decided to release a holiday EP. "What The World Needs Now Is Love" featured six songs including the title track, an updated version of "Why Couldn't It Be Christmas Everyday?," a breathtaking version of "Hallelujah," and more covers. She released music videos for all of the songs, in which she filmed all in one day. Be sure to stream the EP if you want to support her.

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