For some people, being on stage is one of the most frightening things ever, even if they just have to stand there.
And then there are some people who have to go on stage AND perform. And it is one of the terrifying things ever for them.
That’s exactly what happened to 10-year-old Makayla Ferrell when she had to go up on stage to perform for her school’s talent show.
She stood in front of the microphone and her schoolmates and their families to sing Andra Day’s song, “Rise Up.”
But she was so nervous, her voice began to fade.
“I just forgot because I was nervous to, like, even sing anymore,” Makayla said.
Makayla froze on stage and stood silent.
One of the mothers, Rhonda Whitney, was recording the talent show and Makayla’s moment with her phone at that time.
“I was recording, praying the little girl found the courage to keep going, next thing I know there was an angel singing behind me,” Rhonda told Scary Mommy.
Makayla’s mother, Shaye Washington, was in the audience as well when she watched her daughter freeze.
And she wasn’t going to sit there and do nothing.
“I was like, ‘Uh-oh it looks like she’s about to have a meltdown or have a breakdown.’ And I don’t want her to feel defeated … so that’s when I just stepped in to help her going,” Shaye told CBS News.
Yes, Shaye stepped in and sang the lyrics to “Rise Up” to encourage her daughter.
Everybody’s heads turned around to look for the voice and they saw Shaye walk towards the stage.
“I saw her struggling and getting ready to get frustrated so I just immediately stepped in. From where I was standing it looked like my child was asking for help, but just not verbally. Like at that moment she wanted someone to step in and save her,” Shaye told Scary Mommy.
Shaye began to sing the words to the song as she makes her way to the stage. Even Makayla was surprised to see her mother come up.
Shaye held her daughter’s hand as she motivated her to keep singing.
“My motherly instincts just kicked in. I wanted to teach my daughter perseverance,” Shayed shared with Scary Mommy.
And this was just what Makayla needed to keep going. She continued to sing and even finish the song with her mother right beside her, cheering her on.
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This motherly act touched everyone in the audience, including Rhonda.
“I cried the minute she started singing. I looked around and I wasn’t alone,” Rhonda shared. “When they finished we all started clapping and hollering. I don’t even know where they went.”
And it turned out the song meant a lot for Shaye and Makayla. They had just moved from Georgia to Colorado and they were still adjusting to their new home.
“I am so grateful for all of the love I am receiving from strangers because sometimes I am hard on myself as a mom and think I’m not doing enough so all of the kind words are definitely a breath of fresh air,” Shaye admitted.
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And Makayla was quick to respond to Shaye’s doubts as a mother.
“I think she does everything for me. She gets everything for me,” Makayla responded. “Sometimes I feel like … I don’t say … don’t act like I’m thankful, but I want to be more thankful and thank her.”
Watch the video below to see how Shaye stepped in to support her daughter on stage.
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