Flushing teen sings patriotic tune at 2019 U.S Open
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
A Flushing teen had the
honor of singing “America
The Beautiful” at the 2019
U.S. Open on Aug. 28, prior
to the evening session on
Arthur Ashe Stadium at the
Billie Jean King National
Tennis Center.
Representing Flushing,
Kelly Lukito, 13, is one of 12
vocalists (ages 14 and under)
selected by the USTA to perform
patriotic songs during
the night sessions of the 2019
U.S. Open and at Arthur Ashe
Kids’ Day. The lineup for this
year’s talent features kids
throughout the tri-state area,
as well as from California,
Indiana, Pennsylvania, Texas
and Virginia.
Lukito, an off-Broadway performer,
did her first musical in
the fourth grade, she says. She
played the role of Flounder in
“The Little Mermaid.”
“I’ve been singing all of my
life. I do a lot of plays, musicals,
short films,” Lukito said
during a pre-show interview.
“I am really excited … it’s just
wild and crazy. I never thought
I would be here doing this.”
Lukito submitted her performance
via a nationwide
online audition for the 13th anniversary
U.S. Open Anthem
Auditions. The audition process
began earlier this summer
with close to 350 contestants
vying for a coveted spot.
A select number of contestants
from the online audition
were invited to participate in
an in-person callback, where
they performed in front of a
panel of judges from the music
and entertainment industries.
“My advice to others is
to just be yourself because a
lot of people have different
voices and you never really
know what anyone is looking
for,” Lukito said. “Don’t be
afraid and go for anything because
you would be surprised
at the results.”
Past U.S. Open anthem
winners and performers include
Frenie Acoba (“Matilda”
on Broadway), Angelica Hale
(“America’s Got Talent” season
12), and Brennley Brown
(“The Voice” season 12).
These children will join the
group of music industry leaders
who have performed at the
event, including Kelly Clarkson,
Representing Flushing, Kelly Lukito, 13, performs “America the Beautiful” at the 2019 US Open.
Lenny Kravitz, Ariana
Grande, Rihanna, Phil Collins,
Fitz and the Tantrums, Renee
Elise Goldsberry, Diana Ross,
Art Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin
and Tony Bennett, to name
a few. Headlining this year’s
Opening Night Ceremony will
be Tony, Grammy and Emmy
Award-winning vocalist, actor
and Atlantic Records recording
artist Ben Platt of Broadway’s
Photo by Mike Lawrence/USTA
“Dear Evan Hansen.”
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by email at cmohamed@
schnepsmedia.com
or by phone at (718) 260–4526.
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TIMESLEDGER,26 SEPT. 6-12, 2019 BT QNS.COM
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