'We're leaving very,very happy': Stephanie Rainey thankful for support after America's Got Talent experience 

Cork’s singer-songwriter and radio presenter Stephanie Rainey has said she is “very thankful” for the support she has received following the announcement that she will not be progressing to the semi-final stage of America’s Got Talent (AGT).

The 36-year-old performed an original song at the show’s quarter-finals on Tuesday evening, called ‘Woman’, which received mixed reviews from the judging panel.

Ms Rainey performed the song alongside Sarah Power, but did not receive the ‘golden buzzer’ that would have automatically secured the duo a place in the next stage of the competition.

At the results show it was revealed that Rainey would not progress to the semi-final stage of the competition.

Grateful for support 

Speaking to The Echo, Ms Rainey said that she and Ms Power felt “every inch of support” from home throughout their AGT journey and are thankful for the experience despite their loss after last night’s episode.

"We're leaving very, very happy,” said Ms Rainey.

"The experience we've had has been absolutely insane, the exposure we've had, the opportunities that are coming from this, it’s wild.

“Of course you want to keep progressing, but we’re okay with leaving, we’re square with it.

“We felt the support from home so much, it’s been such a beautiful experience,” she added.

“In moments when you need it, you really feel the support, and it carried us through the whole week.

“Even yesterday [Wednesday] coming on telling people we didn’t make it, it’s just been unbelievable - it’s such an amazing thing to see.” 

Speaking on her song choice, the Glanmire native said: “It would have been easy for us to go on and do a cover song, but we came to do what represents me as an artist, and what represents me are songs that have a strong message.” 

'Sing what's true to you'

The song ‘Woman’ was written by both Ms Rainey and Ms Power in 2019 about Ms Rainey’s mother, who was battling cancer at the time.

“Overwhelmingly, the feeling for the song has been great, and a lot of women out there resonated with my mom's story, which was always the hope for me,” she said.

“I think it’s important to sing what’s true to you, [and] we’re really proud of the song, we stand over it.

"Getting to play it on that stage was a very important moment for us,” she added.

“I got to come over here with my best friend and do something absolutely mind-blowing, so we are really appreciative of the experience, it was like a dream.” 

Ms Rainey and Ms Power will be travelling home from America today, and will be taking the weekend to “chill out” with family and friends before “going full tilt.” 

The singer will be releasing a new EP on November 14, and will be performing live at Vicar Street in Dublin on November 18, followed by another performance at Cork City Hall on December 18.

"It’s going to be absolutely unbelievable,” she said.

“Some of my idols have played in Cork City Hall so I'm really excited to come back and do those shows."