Tempe detention officer impresses on America’s Got Talent stage

PHOENIX — A Tempe Police Department detention officer stole the show recently on one of the country’s biggest stages.

Olivia Calderon blew the crowd away with her rendition of “Mi Manera” on an “America’s Got Talent” audition.

“Singing is how I just de-stress from the stress of work,” Calderon told host Terry Crews before her performance. “I always dreamed of singing on a big stage. If you don’t try you never know and you’ll be left with wondering ‘what if?'”

Earning three stars from judges Gabrielle Union, Simon Cowell and Julianne Hough — with Howie Mandel being the lone exception — Calderon cruised through her performance, crushing her final note.

It didn’t take long for Calderon to leave her mark on the judges, sucking them into her performance as soon as she started. She received a standing ovation for her efforts.

For Calderon, who has been with Tempe PD for 12 years, singing is her outlet.

“Being a corrections officer, it’s not easy,” Calderon said. “I mean an inmate will call you every name in the book and you have to just stand there with thick skin.”

Singing also represents her dream as she had to put her aspirations on hold to help take care of her father, something she explained to Cowell.

“I’ll tell you what I like about you,” Cowell said when speaking on her performance. “You have drama when you perform, and I love that. I’d love to be the first person to say yes.”

She’s set to perform in the second round of the competition’s 14th season on July 23.

@TempePolice Detention Officer @oliviacantante will perform round 2 on @AGT next Tuesday, July 23!!!! Good luck Olivia!! pic.twitter.com/WZuqnNdN0a

— Tempe Police (@TempePolice) July 17, 2019

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