The Untold Journey of Celine Tam After Her ‘America’s Got Talent’ Breakout — Where Did the Little Voice That Shocked the World Go?

When nine‑year‑old Celine Tam stepped onto the stage of America’s Got Talent Season 12 in mid‑2017 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, she instantly became the talk of the town.

With a navy‑blue striped dress and wide‑eyed confidence, she introduced herself to the judges: “My name is Celine and I’m 9 years old.

This is my dream being in America’s Got Talent.”

She then stunned them with a flawless cover of “My Heart Will Go On”—so convincing that Simon Cowell jokingly asked, “That’s obviously not you singing, so who’s that singing?” to which Tam answered with a smile: “It’s me!” All four judges stood, and Howie Mandel later said it was “pretty amazing—it really was.”

Her audition propelled her into Judge Cuts and beyond, and in a moment that made headlines she received the Golden Buzzer from guest judge Laverne Cox.

Though her run ended in the semifinals and she didn’t make the finals, the exposure was massive and elevated her into the international spotlight.

But what happened when the cameras turned off and the cheers quieted? The story of Celine Tam after AGT is one of global movement, personal growth, and the quiet complexity of transitioning from viral sensation to a developing artist.

In the months following her AGT exit, she returned to her hometown of Hong Kong and also travelled across Asia.

In late 2017 she was invited to perform at major events, including appearances in Japan and Shanghai, and she sang at the Miss World 2017 contest in Sanya, China—an event broadcast to over 110 countries.

Her father, Steve Tam, who had guided her since she was three years old, continued to manage her voice lessons and appearances.

Observers say that in 2018 and 2019, Celine embarked on a rigorous schedule: multiple voice lessons per week, public performances across Asia, and online covers on YouTube—building a global fan base.

Her YouTube channel later boasted over one million subscribers.

Yet the shift from being “that nine‑year‑old girl who made jaws drop on AGT” to “this young woman finding her unique voice” proved challenging.

In a 2023 Instagram post she reflected, “This song is my story—of a little girl who got big cheers, and now a young woman who wants her own voice. ”

The single she referenced, titled “Who I Am”, dropped March 12 2023 under a Hong Kong‑based independent label, marking her first bilingual English‑Chinese original release.

But the promotional rollout was far more modest than the hype during her AGT days, with smaller venues in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur.

By mid‑2024, Celine’s public presence in Western media substantially reduced.

On a June 2024 livestream she said: “Sometimes I choose to practice in silence, to feel the music instead of chase it. ”

Her subscriber growth slowed—data shows only around 20% growth between January and September 2024, compared to much higher rates during her early fame.

Critics and fans began to ask: Was this quiet period a sign of a career stalling or a strategic reset?

In November 2024 she gave a high‑profile performance at the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens halftime show, singing Alicia Keys’ “Girl On Fire.

” While her voice drew praise, mainstream global press gave minimal coverage.

A Hong Kong music blogger noted: “She still nails the stage presence at 16, but the missing piece is major‑label marketing and mentor support for mainstream breakthrough. ”

Industry insiders suggest the obstacles extend beyond presence: the need to shed the “child prodigy” label, to find original material that suits her maturing vocal tone, and to navigate the bilingual and cross-market complexity of East‑meets‑West music careers.

Some fans also referenced vague online comments hinting at “family pressure” and “exhausting overseas tours” during her teen years—though no official statements have confirmed this.

Then in early 2025 she posted a brief note on Instagram: “New chapter ahead… stay tuned. ”

The cryptic message sent waves of speculation—did it signal a U.S.

indie label deal? Reports of interest surfaced, though no contract has been confirmed to date.

Through it all, Celine has spoken little to major media, maintaining a tone of humility and focus.

She has emphasized that her goal is “to grow as an artist, to touch people’s hearts, and to carry the journey forward—not just as the little girl who sang on AGT, but as a vocalist with her own voice.”

Her journey underscores a truth often lost in talent-show coverage: the audition and the broadcast are only moment one.

The months and years that follow—the traveling, the training, the identity work—are where real artistic careers are formed.

Talent show success is a megaphone, not a guarantee.

For every performance, cover and live show that followed her time on AGT, the new question became: Will Celine Tam land a major charting single? Will she break into Western mainstream markets? Will she rebrand herself beyond “child prodigy” into an adult artist of substance?

As she stands now, the microphone that once stopped hearts on global television is still in her hand—and the expectation still pulses.

The next megahit may not simply be the voice we heard when she was nine, but a voice transformed, grounded, and ready for the next level.

Her story invites another question: When the world says “sing for us,” who says “sing for yourself”? Whatever path she chooses, Celine Tam’s next chapter is one to watch.